April 23, 2010
Vol. 40, No. 127

For further information, contact Michelle Jacobs, Community Relations Officer, 302-739-9921, or Joanna Wilson, Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.  

Delaware Association of Conservation Districts
begins book donation effort on Earth Day

What better way to celebrate Earth Day than to give to students a tool to educate them on the importance of soil. On April 22, Terry Pepper, President of the Delaware Association of Conservation Districts (DACD), presented East Dover Elementary School Librarian Sue Fertal a copy of the book entitled Soil! Get the Inside Scoop. The 36-page, soft cover book filled with exciting pictures is written for children ages 9 to 12. It is an excellent tool to educate our youth about soil: its importance, how it forms, the different types, what lives in it, and more. 

The donation is the beginning of a statewide effort. DACD’s partners, the First State Resource Conservation and Development Council (RC&D) and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) funded the purchase of enough books to place one copy in each of Delaware’s 123 public and charter elementary school libraries. Additionally, one copy will be placed in the children’s section of each of the public libraries within Delaware.   

“With elementary school students in Delaware studying land, water, rocks, minerals and ecosystems, we believe the book will serve as a great resource for the students and teachers to further their knowledge of soils,” said Mr. Pepper. “Soil is one of our precious natural resources that we must conserve for the next generation. All communities benefit when they have a better appreciation of soil and its connections to our everyday life. This book is sure to foster that appreciation.”

The DACD is a statewide organization for the supervisors of the state’s three Conservation Districts. DACD is a voluntary, non-profit alliance which provides a forum for discussion and coordination among the Conservation Districts as they work to ensure the wise use and treatment of our natural resources.