Oct. 1, 2008
Vol. 38, No. 446

For more information contact Rebecca Rothweiler, Division of Water Resources, 302-739-9939; Lynne Staub, Division of Fish and Wildlife, 302-735-3600; or Melanie Rapp, Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.

                                          Forum on Nanticoke Watershed Set for Oct. 23
                                                         Report Card on Watershed Health will be Presented

SEAFORD, Del. - A report card on the health of the Nanticoke Watershed will be presented at a public forum, 6 - 8 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 23 at the Seaford Public Library, 402 North Porter Street in Seaford. The forum is free and open to anyone interested in learning more about the watershed's diverse ecological resources - wetlands, habitats, and wildlife species - and the stressors that impact its environmental health.

The Nanticoke watershed is an area of exceptional biodiversity. Located primarily in western Sussex County, the watershed includes the land area that expands from as far north as Harrington, south to Delmar and east to Georgetown.

At the forum, DNREC's Division of Water Resources will present the results of an extensive wetland assessment and monitoring program completed in cooperation with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. DNREC's Division of Fish and Wildlife will present information on the migratory bird species and the rare and uncommon amphibians and reptiles that inhabit the watershed. In collaboration with other conservation agencies, DNREC is designing a restoration plan for the watershed.

Displays and information, highlighting restoration and protection projects, landowner incentives and financial assistance opportunities, will be exhibited by several organizations– the Division of Fish and Wildlife Landowner Incentive Program; Division of Soil and Water Conservation; Adopt-a-Wetland; Natural Resources Conservation Service; The Nature Conservancy; Ducks Unlimited; Nanticoke River Watershed Conservancy; Delaware Forest Service; and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Easy tips on the everyday actions people can do to protect the watershed will be provided. Guidebooks, covering restoration options and the health of the watershed, the value of wetlands, and the ways people can improve their backyard habitat, will be available. Each workshop attendee will receive one free native tree or shrub for planting this fall.

Walk-ins are welcome, but seating is limited, so registration is strongly encouraged by Oct. 14 by contacting Rebecca Rothweiler, Division of Water Resources, 302-739-9939 or Lynne Staub, Division of Fish and Wildlife, 302-735-3600.

For more information contact DNREC or visit DNREC's web site, www.wr.dnrec.delaware.gov and click on “Nanticoke Watershed Workshop.”