Contact:  Lyle Jones, Watershed Assessment Section, Division of Water Resources, 302-739-9939; or Melanie Rapp, Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.

Volunteers needed for tree planting event Oct. 22
at the St. Jones River in Dover

DOVER (October 7, 2011) - Volunteers are needed to help plant native trees and shrubs along the banks of the beautiful St. Jones River in Dover from 9 a.m. until noon on Saturday, Oct. 22. The tree planting event, held rain or shine, is part of a multi-year restoration plan that will reduce pollution and protect the banks of the river.

 “Fall is the perfect time to get involved in a project that will help protect the environment,” said Lyle Jones, program manager with DNREC’s Watershed Assessment Section. “Our planting event will establish a buffer of native trees and shrubs that will improve water quality by reducing stormwater run-off, sediment and excess nutrients from entering the river. The project will reduce flooding and improve the health of the St. Jones River for years to come.”

Volunteers will work alongside staff from DNREC, the City of Dover, the St. Jones Greenway Commission, and Kent County Division of Parks and Recreation and plant more than 250 native trees and shrubs. Families, groups and volunteer organizations are encouraged to register by October 19, by contacting the City of Dover Parks and Recreation at 302-736-7050 (9 a.m. – 4 p.m., Monday through Friday). Volunteers can also register 8:30 a.m. on the day of the event at the project site.

Volunteers will meet on Park Drive near the bridge over Division Street in Dover. Beverages and equipment will be provided, and volunteers should bring their own gardening or work gloves, wear hard-soled, lace-up shoes or boots (no sneakers), and dress appropriately for outdoor work. If possible, volunteers are asked to bring a round-point shovel. A handicapped-accessible restroom will be available.

The event is the fifth planting in the Silver Lake Revitalization Project, stretching from the Silver Lake dam to Division St. At two previous events held last year, approximately 60 volunteers planted more than 30 trees and 500 shrubs on almost five acres of buffer along the banks of the St. Jones River.

Funding was made possible by the City of Dover and from grants obtained by DNREC’s Parks and Recreation and Nonpoint Source Pollution programs and from a donation by C.F. Schwartz in Dover.

The Silver Lake Revitalization Project was recommended as part of a pollution control strategy developed by the St. Jones Tributary Action Team, a group of concerned citizen volunteers, business owners, and scientists. The project was initiated in 2007 with a public workshop and input from park neighbors that led to the restoration plan.

To learn more about efforts underway by the St. Jones Tributary Action Team to reduce pollution in the watershed, contact Lyle Jones at 302-739-9939 or visit http://www.wr.dnrec.delaware.gov/Pages/Default.aspx

Vol. 41, No. 390