Lynne Staub, volunteer coordinator, Division of Fish and Wildlife, 302-735-3600
Melanie Rapp, Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.

Join DNREC's Cedar Swamp Wisteria Weed-out Oct. 30

TOWNSEND (Oct. 14, 2010) – Spend an autumn morning at Cedar Swamp Wildlife Area near Townsend and help protect Delaware’s wildlife habitat. DNREC’s Division of Fish and Wildlife is seeking volunteers to join in the Wisteria Weed-out from 9 a.m. until noon Saturday, Oct. 30. Volunteers should meet at the Cedar Swamp Wildlife Area parking lot on Thoroughfare Neck Road.

The wisteria colony is located in an area currently managed by the Division of Fish and Wildlife as a wildlife refuge. Volunteers will remove Japanese wisteria vines from a section of the woods that is stifling native plant growth and weighing heavily upon upper canopy tree branches. 

Japanese wisteria is an invasive vine that outcompetes native plants, girdles trees, and can blanket natural areas. Removing this invasive vine will allow native plants to grow and help re-establish native habitat for birds, small mammals and other wildlife.

Volunteers will use hand tools to remove the wisteria, including loppers, pruners and hand saws. Because of the tools being used, volunteers should be at least 15 years old, wear close-toed shoes and long pants for this project. Tools and gloves will be provided, but volunteers may also bring their own.

Pre-registration is encouraged by contacting Lynne Staub at lynne.staub@state.de.us or 302-735-3600.

To learn more about other volunteer opportunities, call 302-735-3600 or visit www.dnrec.delaware.gov/fw/volunteers.
                                                             
Directions from the North:
Take DE Rt. 1 South
Merge onto U.S. Rt. 13 at Smyrna via exit 119A
Turn Left onto Paddock Road
Turn Left at Thoroughfare Neck Road
Cedar Swamp Wildlife Area parking lot is on the Right.

Directions from the South:
Take Rt. 13 North through Dover
Turn Right onto Dover Leipsic Road
Take Left to stay on Dover Leipsic Road (behind Dover Downs)
Take Left onto Bayside Road (Rt. 9)
Take Right onto Thoroughfare Neck Road
Cedar Swamp Wildlife Area parking lot is on the Right.

Vol. 40, No. 350