NEWS FROM THE DELAWARE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL
April 6, 2010
Vol. 40, No. 94
Contact: Tom Moran, Division of Fish and Wildlife, 302-836-2555, ext. 103; or Michael Globetti or Melinda Carl, Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.
DNREC Secretary invites volunteers to help clean up the Christina River
Annual cleanup, set for Saturday, April 10 targets multiple sites; Register online by April 7
Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Secretary Collin O’Mara encourages volunteers to join the clean-up efforts along the Christina River and several of its tributaries this Saturday, April 10 from 8 a.m. until noon. Volunteers are asked to register to work at one of 11 sites throughout northern New Castle County from north Wilmington to just south of Newark.
“What better way to spend a few hours on a sunny weekend than to beautify our waterways,” said Secretary O’Mara. “Clearing debris from the Christina watershed not only improves the landscape for the enjoyment of residents and visitors, it improves the health and water quality of the river and its tributaries, the primary sources of public water supply for New Castle County.”
The annual cleanup, now in its 19th year, will be held rain or shine. Since the cleanup began in 1992, more than 330 tons of tires, appliances, household items, and uncountable pieces of plastic and styrofoam have been cleared from the Christina River, White Clay Creek and various other tributaries.
DNREC has been a sponsor and an integral part of the Christina River Watershed Cleanup since its inception, providing funding and other support. Specifically, DNREC’s Division of Fish and Wildlife provides staff, boats, and specialized equipment to move volunteers and remove trash from remote locations. The cleanup of the river within the city of Wilmington benefits the Division’s ongoing marsh restoration work at the Russell W. Peterson Urban Wildlife Refuge.
For a list of cleanup sites with directions and to register, visit www.ChristinaRiverCleanup.org or call 302-838-1897. Registration is encouraged by April 7, so adequate supplies can be provided to each site captain. Due to insurance requirements, volunteers under the age of 16 must have adult supervision.
Experience has shown that it is advisable for participants to consider utilizing brightly-colored clothing, long sleeves and pants, boots or water-resistant shoes, hats, heavy-duty gloves, insect repellent, and sunscreen. Waders or hip boots are also useful for the city of Wilmington and Churchman’s Marsh - Christiana and Newport sites. Additional jon boat-type work boats are still needed for Wilmington’s Riverfront and East 7th Street locations, as well as the Churchman’s Marsh areas. All participants must wear a life jacket while on any boat.
All volunteers will receive a 2010 Christina River Watershed Cleanup t-shirt designed by Heather Sowards, a senior at Brandywine High School. Heather incorporated computer art technology into her winning entry. More than 50 organizations and businesses sponsor the cleanup each year. Primary sponsors besides DNREC include: Christina Conservancy, Inc.; Partnership for the Delaware Estuary; New Castle County; DuPont Environmental Education Center; Artesian Water Company; Conectiv Energy; United Water Delaware; Noramco, Inc.; GE Ceramic Composite Products and Dow Chemical.
For more information on DNREC’s programs, visit our web site, www.dnrec.delaware.gov .
