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Delaware News


  Category: Forest Service


Forest Campsites and Redden Lodge to Stay Closed

Department of Agriculture | Forest Service | New Castle County | Sussex County | Date Posted: Friday, May 29, 2020

Effective June 1, outdoor gatherings of more than 25 people will be permitted at Delaware’s state forests, subject to compliance with the Division of Public Health’s “Guidance on Outdoor Gatherings.”

While the state’s ban on short-term rentals will be lifted on June 1, camping at Blackbird State Forest and Redden State Forest, as well as the Redden Lodge, will be closed to the public until further notice. Plans are underway to implement a new online, fee-based reservation system expected to be operational later this summer. There is no fixed date on the launch of the new system, which will include the addition of two new camp sites each at both Blackbird and Redden.

The new system will also handle advance bookings for the popular and historic Redden Lodge. Users can make camping and lodge reservations for future dates, receive electronic confirmations, and make payments and receive refunds via credit card.



Grants up to $4,500 for Volunteer Fire Departments

Department of Agriculture | Forest Service | Kent County | New Castle County | News | Sussex County | Date Posted: Monday, March 23, 2020

Delaware volunteer fire departments that respond to rural wildfires can apply for matching grants up to $4,500 from the Delaware Forest Service’s 2020 Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) Equipment Grant Program. Since its inception, the program has provided more than $350,000 to enhance wildfire response in the First State. The application deadline is Wednesday, May 13, with awardees notified by June 1. All requests must show a 50-50 match in either cash or in-kind services, such as volunteer hours spent on training or responding to field fires. Projects and purchases must be completed by August 1, 2020. For more information, contact Kyle Hoyd at (302) 698-4548 or Kyle.Hoyd@delaware.gov



Delaware agriculture critical to supplying consumers with food during COVID-19 outbreak

Department of Agriculture | Forest Service | News | Date Posted: Tuesday, March 17, 2020

DOVER, Del. – The Delaware Department of Agriculture continues to provide services to the public and industry to ensure that our food supply remains safe and plentiful for consumers during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak. “As Delaware’s number one industry, family farms are crucial to supplying a variety of food from poultry and meats, […]



Redden Lodge and Forest Campsites Closed

Delaware Health and Social Services | Department of Agriculture | Division of Public Health | Forest Service | New Castle County | News | Sussex County | Date Posted: Monday, March 16, 2020

To limit the potential spread of the Coronavirus, the Delaware Forest Service is announcing the following actions, effective immediately: The Lodge at Redden State Forest will be closed to the public until further notice. All campsites at Redden and Blackbird State Forests will be closed to the public until further notice. All large gatherings (>25 people) scheduled for any of the State Forests will be cancelled. State Forests will remain open to the general public for the time being for outdoor activities such as hiking, bird watching, horseback riding, etc.



DFA Annual Meeting on March 19 is Canceled

Department of Agriculture | Forest Service | Kent County | New Castle County | Sussex County | Date Posted: Friday, February 21, 2020

The 2020 Delaware Forestry Association Annual Meeting and Banquet will be held on Thursday, March 19 at the Felton Fire Hall in Felton, Delaware. The event features the presentation of the 2020 “Delaware Tree Farmer of the Year Award.” Cost is $27 for adults and $13.50 for children ages 6 to 12.  Details at  delawareforest.com






  Category: Forest Service

Forest Campsites and Redden Lodge to Stay Closed

Department of Agriculture | Forest Service | New Castle County | Sussex County | Date Posted: Friday, May 29, 2020

Effective June 1, outdoor gatherings of more than 25 people will be permitted at Delaware’s state forests, subject to compliance with the Division of Public Health’s “Guidance on Outdoor Gatherings.”

While the state’s ban on short-term rentals will be lifted on June 1, camping at Blackbird State Forest and Redden State Forest, as well as the Redden Lodge, will be closed to the public until further notice. Plans are underway to implement a new online, fee-based reservation system expected to be operational later this summer. There is no fixed date on the launch of the new system, which will include the addition of two new camp sites each at both Blackbird and Redden.

The new system will also handle advance bookings for the popular and historic Redden Lodge. Users can make camping and lodge reservations for future dates, receive electronic confirmations, and make payments and receive refunds via credit card.



Grants up to $4,500 for Volunteer Fire Departments

Department of Agriculture | Forest Service | Kent County | New Castle County | News | Sussex County | Date Posted: Monday, March 23, 2020

Delaware volunteer fire departments that respond to rural wildfires can apply for matching grants up to $4,500 from the Delaware Forest Service’s 2020 Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) Equipment Grant Program. Since its inception, the program has provided more than $350,000 to enhance wildfire response in the First State. The application deadline is Wednesday, May 13, with awardees notified by June 1. All requests must show a 50-50 match in either cash or in-kind services, such as volunteer hours spent on training or responding to field fires. Projects and purchases must be completed by August 1, 2020. For more information, contact Kyle Hoyd at (302) 698-4548 or Kyle.Hoyd@delaware.gov



Delaware agriculture critical to supplying consumers with food during COVID-19 outbreak

Department of Agriculture | Forest Service | News | Date Posted: Tuesday, March 17, 2020

DOVER, Del. – The Delaware Department of Agriculture continues to provide services to the public and industry to ensure that our food supply remains safe and plentiful for consumers during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak. “As Delaware’s number one industry, family farms are crucial to supplying a variety of food from poultry and meats, […]



Redden Lodge and Forest Campsites Closed

Delaware Health and Social Services | Department of Agriculture | Division of Public Health | Forest Service | New Castle County | News | Sussex County | Date Posted: Monday, March 16, 2020

To limit the potential spread of the Coronavirus, the Delaware Forest Service is announcing the following actions, effective immediately: The Lodge at Redden State Forest will be closed to the public until further notice. All campsites at Redden and Blackbird State Forests will be closed to the public until further notice. All large gatherings (>25 people) scheduled for any of the State Forests will be cancelled. State Forests will remain open to the general public for the time being for outdoor activities such as hiking, bird watching, horseback riding, etc.



DFA Annual Meeting on March 19 is Canceled

Department of Agriculture | Forest Service | Kent County | New Castle County | Sussex County | Date Posted: Friday, February 21, 2020

The 2020 Delaware Forestry Association Annual Meeting and Banquet will be held on Thursday, March 19 at the Felton Fire Hall in Felton, Delaware. The event features the presentation of the 2020 “Delaware Tree Farmer of the Year Award.” Cost is $27 for adults and $13.50 for children ages 6 to 12.  Details at  delawareforest.com