NEWS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL
Oct. 3, 2008
Vol. 38, No. 453
Media contact: Ashley Kroon, Environmental Stewardship Program, Southern Invasive Species Crew, Delaware State Parks, (302) 242-6004, Ashley.Kroon@state.de.us, or Necia Beck, Delaware State Parks (302) 739-9191 Necia.Beck@state.de.us
The Environmental Stewardship Program Invites the Public to
‘Free the Trees II’
LEWES, Del. - The Environmental Stewardship Program’s Southern Invasive Species Management Crew is hosting a volunteer event from 9 a.m. until noon on Saturday, Oct. 11 that will focus on removal of non-native wisteria.
Wisteria is an invasive vining plant that has formed a large colony at Cape Henlopen State Park near the fishing pier. Wisteria can damage habitats by growing as a dense sprawling shrub, a climbing vine, and ground runners that eventually form a dense thicket and crowd out native plants. Vines can climb high into the canopy of trees, shading out sunlight for tree leaves and plants below, girdling tree trunks, and adding dangerous weight to stressed branches.
Volunteers are invited to the Cape Henlopen Fishing Pier to spend a morning in the park helping to free the trees of this pesky vine. Environmental Stewardship Program staff will assist with identification of wisteria as well as several other vines and native plants. Volunteers should wear old/work clothes and sneakers or boots. Gloves and tools will be provided, but volunteers may bring their own.
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.
More information is available by calling the Division of Parks and Recreation’s Environmental Stewardship program at (302) 739-9220, or by visiting www.destateparks.com.
