News from the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control.
February 11, 2008
Volume 38, Number 60

Contact: Lynne Staub, Delaware State Parks Environmental Stewardship Program, Southern Invasive Species Crew, phone: (302) 242-6004 or Joanna Wilson, Public Affairs, phone: (302) 739-9902

Environmental Stewardship Program Invites the Public to Help ‘Free the Trees’

Lewes, Del. - The Delaware State Parks Environmental Stewardship Program’s Southern Invasive Species Crew is hosting a volunteer event from 9 a.m. until noon on Saturday, March 1. The event coincides with the Friends of Cape Henlopen’s Trail Day. Volunteers will have the opportunity to help remove the non-native oriental bittersweet Celastrus orbiculatus that has infiltrated sections of the park.

Oriental bittersweet is an invasive vining plant that can damage habitats by growing as a dense sprawling shrub or as a climbing vine. Vines can climb high into the canopy of trees, shading out sunlight from tree leaves and plants below, girdling tree trunks, and adding dangerous weight to stressed branches.

Environmental Stewardship Program staff will be on hand to help volunteers with identification of oriental bittersweet as well as several other vines and native plants. Volunteers should wear work clothes and sneakers or boots. Gloves and tools will be provided, but volunteers may bring their own.  The event is held in support of National Invasive Weed Awareness Week, Feb. 24 through March 1, a national effort to bring attention to the effects of invasive plants on native habitats.

Cape Henlopen State Park is located at 42 Cape Henlopen Drive in Lewes, Delaware, one mile east of Lewes and 1/2 mile past the Cape May-Lewes Ferry Terminal.