Volunteers still needed for DNREC wildlife area projects

DOVER (Nov. 1, 2011) – Volunteers are still needed to work with the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife on three projects in state wildlife areas – planting native trees at the Cedar Swamp Wildlife Area on Saturday, Nov. 5 and at the Blackbird Reserve Wildlife Area on Sunday, Nov. 13, and restoring an ancient sand ridge forest on the Nanticoke Wildlife Area near Bethel on Sunday, Nov. 6.

“These are ongoing projects, and staff and volunteers have been working hard to restore these important areas,” said Lynne Staub, volunteer services coordinator with the Division of Fish and Wildlife. “The restoration projects at each site will improve habitat for Delaware’s native wildlife species.”

• Cedar Swamp Tree Planting – 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Nov. 5, Townsend
  Blackbird Reserve Tree Planting – 1 to 4 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 13, Smyrna 

As part of a hedgerow restoration project, the Division of Fish and Wildlife has removed invasive hedgerow plants including trees and shrubs from areas in the Cedar Swamp and Blackbird Reserve wildlife areas. Native trees will be planted to replace the non-native vegetation that was removed. The Division is looking for volunteers to help with planting nearly 2,000 trees, which will be divided between these two wildlife areas.

A mechanical auger will pre-drill the holes for the trees to be planted. Volunteers will follow behind the auger and place tree saplings into the holes and fill in with dirt. Matting will be placed around trees in some areas. Work gloves and water will be provided. Volunteers should wear long pants and close-toed shoes or boots.

Volunteers for this project must be at least 16 years old. Those under the age of 18 must provide a parent waiver, which can be printed online at www.fw.delaware.gov/volunteers. Volunteers also are asked to pre-register with contact information in case of inclement weather leading to postponement.

Volunteers for the Cedar Swamp project are asked to meet at the intersection of Thoroughfare and Collins Beach roads. Volunteers for the Blackbird Reserve project are asked to meet at the parking lot on Eagles Nest Landing Road between Gum Bush and Deer Run roads. Maps and directions are available on the calendar page of the Division of Fish and Wildlife’s volunteer website.

• Nanticoke Wildlife Area - Ancient Sand Ridge Forest Restoration
  1 to 4 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 6, near Bethel

Last winter, Fish and Wildlife conservation staff and volunteers began work to restore an ancient sand ridge forest, a forest composed mostly of oaks and pines that develops on ridges or dunes. Degraded by time, these areas are habitats of conservation concern in Delaware, with their restoration and/or improvement important to many plant and animal species. The goal of the project is to re-establish ancient sand ridge forest in the Nanticoke Wildlife Area to provide habitat for species of concern such as the frosted elfin, a rare butterfly that depends on plant species found only in Delaware’s ancient sand ridge forests.

Volunteers will be cutting up and removing downed trees and limbs, and logs. The work involves bending, lifting and possible use of handsaws or loppers. Work gloves, hand saws and loppers will be provided, but volunteers may also bring their own. Volunteers are asked to meet at the entrance gate to the Nanticoke Wildlife Area on Red House Road, just off of Woodland Ferry Road south of Seaford and close to Bethel.

Volunteers for this project must be at least 16 years old. Those under the age of 18 must provide a parent waiver, which can be printed online at www.fw.delaware.gov/volunteers. Volunteers also are asked to pre-register with contact information in case of inclement weather leading to postponement.

For more information or to sign up for these projects, please contact Lynne Staub at 302-735-3600, or email lynne.staub@state.de.us.

For information on other volunteer opportunities with the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife, visit www.fw.delaware.gov/volunteers.

Vol. 41, No. 422