NEWS FROM THE DELAWARE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL

April 21, 2010
Vol. 40, No. 124

For further information, contact Michelle Jacobs, Community Relations Officer, 302-739-9921, or Joanna Wilson, Public Affairs, 302-739-9902. PHOTOS OF AWARD WINNERS AVAILABLE ON REQUEST. 

Governor Markell joins DNREC and Conservation Districts
to honor Agricultural and Urban Conservation Award Winners

DOVER -  Governor Jack Markell led a ceremony Wednesday with Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Secretary Collin O’Mara and Delaware Association of Conservation Districts President Terry Pepper at the Delaware Agricultural Museum and Village, recognizing the winners of the Annual Agricultural and Urban Governor’s Conservation Awards. The Governor also signed a proclamation officially designating April 25 through May 2 as Soil and Water Stewardship Week.

 “We are very fortunate in Delaware to have a rich natural heritage, as well as such dedicated and innovative people working to protect it,” said Governor Markell. “The quality of our environment - whether in our urban areas or in our forests, farms, beaches, and parks - is an essential element of our quality of life, which is important for our economic development and job creation.”

This year’s Conservation Award winners and their conservation efforts are: 

NEW CASTLE

·   Woodside Farm / Jim and Janet Mitchell, Joseph and Kathy Mitchell, Debbie Mitchell
Hockessin – Agricultural Award

Woodside Farm, operated by the Mitchell Family since 1796, is being recognized for continued commitment to improving the environment. In recent years, they have addressed environmental issues related to manure management, proper grazing and pasture health for the dairy herd, drainage, soil health, soil erosion and reducing their energy consumption.

·         The Challenge Program, Andrew McKnight, Executive Director

New Castle County – Urban Award

The Challenge Program is being recognized for the construction of its new Delaware headquarters on the banks of the Christina River in downtown Wilmington. The Challenge Program is a construction training program serving “at-risk” youth in northern Delaware. Private contractors work in partnership with program staff and trainees during all phases of construction and provide real-world examples of work experience. This project will showcase the environmental benefits of LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified building construction technology with its use of recycled building materials, geothermal heating, captured rainwater from its green roof and solar panels with the hands on training of the urban youth from Wilmington and New Castle County by skilled instructors and sub-contractors. The new headquarters will house classrooms, offices, conference and computer rooms and shop space. 

KENT COUNTY

·         Fifer Orchards, Inc., Wyoming -  Agricultural Award

Fifer Orchards is a local family owned and operated farm operation that produces vegetables, fresh market sweet corn, orchard crops, corn, wheat and soybeans. They are being recognized for their efforts to conserve water, improve irrigation efficiency, prevent runoff and protect surface and sub-surface water supplies, as well as their public outreach efforts.

·         Michael Seltz, Volunteers of America National Services, Alexandria, Va. – Urban Award

Volunteers of America National Services is being recognized for addressing stormwater runoff and their efforts to improve water quality, water quantity and ground water recharge while improving site aesthetics at their residential apartment complex, Brightway Commons II, in the City of Milford.  

SUSSEX COUNTY

·         Murray Brothers, Cliff Murray, Selbyville  – Agricultural Award

Cliff Murray has installed a number of best management practices help address water, air, and soil quality and soil erosion on his farm in Selbyville. By installing new conservation practices, he has experienced benefits such as less fuel inputs, lower chemical costs, lower chemical concentrations, better manure management, increased soil and air quality and better nutrient management planning for the operation.

·         Center for the Inland Bays, Rehoboth Beach – Urban Award

The Center for the Inland Bays is being recognized for partnering with the Sussex Conservation District and DNREC in providing Stormwater Maintenance Seminars for the last several years. The seminars are geared towards educating property owners living in a development who want to learn how to maintain and enhance their stormwater managements system(s)/open space through conservation practices such as planting buffers, meadows, native trees and shrubs. Many of the practices recommended save money long term, such as the creation of buffers or “no mow” zones.

NOTE: More information on the honorees is available on request from DNREC Public Affairs.