NEWS FROM THE DELAWARE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL

Sept. 24, 2008
Vol. 38, No. 432

For more information contact Lynne Staub, Division of Fish and Wildlife, Private Lands Assistance Program, 302-735-3600, or Melanie Rapp, Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.

                               Volunteers Sought for 4th Annual Acorn Collection Day Oct. 18
                                                       Collection Sites in Each County

DOVER, Del. – According to Ralph Waldo Emerson, “The creation of a thousand forests is in one acorn,” and with acorns abundant this time of year, volunteers are needed for DNREC’s 4th Annual Acorn Collection Day being held from 9 a.m. until noon Saturday, Oct. 18.

The acorns are being gathered to support the Division of Fish and Wildlife’s Landowner Incentive Program that provides assistance to private landowners to enhance or establish habitat that will benefit plant and animal species at-risk. With more than 80 percent of available or restorable wildlife habitat in Delaware on private lands, the program provides a cooperative solution to protecting wildlife habitat.

Volunteers will collect acorns from areas where seedlings would not generally be able to grow – mowed areas along trail edges, open spaces and roadsides.  The Division of Fish and Wildlife will work with partners to plant acorns and will transplant established seedlings for restoration projects on private lands.

Acorn Collection Day is the perfect opportunity for families and youth groups to volunteer, gain community service hours and help Delaware’s environment. Since the program was initiated in 2005, nearly 900 pounds of acorns have been collected – including more than a whopping 800 pounds at last year's collection day. That haul included 492 pounds of acorns collected in New Castle County, 305 pounds in Kent County, and 23 pounds in Sussex County.

This year's Acorn Collection Day again will offer three collection sites, one in each county, and will have bags and collection materials available for volunteers. The sites are:

• New Castle County
  Rockford Park
  West 19th Street and Tower Road, Wilmington
  Meet in front of Rockford Tower
  
  
• Kent County
  Smyrna Rest Area
  5500 Dupont Highway, Smyrna
  Meet at the building entrance
  
  
• Sussex County
  Holts Landing State Park
  Holts Landing Road
  Millville, DE 19970
  Meet on Marlin Drive (left of entrance)

Pre-registration is encouraged by contacting Lynne Staub at (302) 735-3600 or by email, Lynne.Staub@state.de.us  Volunteers also will receive a token of appreciation for their effort in collecting acorns – a Division of Fish and Wildlife water bottle.