Contact: Melanie Rapp, Public Affairs, 302-739-9902. Photos are available by contacting Public Affairs.

Welcome spring by volunteering to plant trees on April 9 at Blackbird Creek Reserve  

DOVER, Del. (March 11, 2011) – Welcome spring, the season of renewal, by volunteering to plant trees at one of the most beautiful and ecologically valuable areas in Delaware – the  Blackbird Creek Reserve near Townsend. Volunteers are needed to plant almost 800 native trees from 9 a.m. until noon Saturday, April 9, as part of a long-range restoration plan to protect and preserve the Reserve.

“We’ll be planting native seedling trees, such as Pine, Maple, Black cherry, Swamp white oak, White oak, River birch, American hornbeam, Red cedar and tulip poplar, to name a few,” said Kimberly Cole, Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve manager. “Volunteers have always been very important to our restoration efforts at the Blackbird Creek Reserve.”

Youth groups, community groups, businesses and other organizations are encouraged take part in this outdoor event by contacting the Blackbird Creek Reserve, a component of the Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve, at 302-739-3436 or Kimberly.Cole@state.de.us. Volunteers are encouraged to sign up by Wednesday, April 6.

Volunteers should meet at the Blackbird Creek Reserve, 801 Blackbird Landing Road, Townsend. Equipment, including shovels, will be provided. Volunteers are encouraged to dress appropriately for the weather - wear boots or other work shoes, heavy-duty gloves, hats, insect repellent and sunscreen.

For more information, visit DNERR’s web site and join us on Facebook.

The Blackbird Creek Reserve and St. Jones Reserve are two components of the Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve (DNERR), a cooperative program between the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, Delaware Coastal Programs and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Inspiring appreciation and wise stewardship of Delaware’s estuarine and coastal areas through science and education.

Vol. 41, No. 88