Delaware News

Delaware Purchases 339 Acres of Sussex County Forestland With Help of U.S. Forest Service

Department of Agriculture | Former Governor Jack Markell (2009-2017) | Office of the Governor | Date Posted: Friday, May 25, 2012



image: Stock photo of Redden State Forest SignDOVER – Marking another milestone in its effort to conserve key natural resource areas, the State of Delaware has completed the purchase of 339 acres of Sussex County forestland that will now be part of the 12,400-acre Redden State Forest near Georgetown.

The purchase from the Huff and Sposato families marks the latest phase of the multi-year Green Horizons Project to protect working forests, water quality, and wildlife habitat in key environmental regions on the Delmarva Peninsula. The U.S. Forest Service’s Forest Legacy Program provided 75 percent of the funding and the Delaware Open Space Program contributed 25 percent.

“Preserving Delaware’s open space is important to maintaining Delaware’s quality of life,” said Governor Jack Markell.   “We are preserving precious real estate for generations to come.”

image:Delaware State Forester Michael A. Valenti joins Patricia Huff Stenger, center, and Jeanne Sposato after completing the purchase of 339 acres of forestland from the Sposato and Huff families“This forestland represents a permanent legacy for current and future generations of Delawareans who will enjoy free public access to its scenic natural beauty through a wide range of recreational activities such as hiking, hunting, and wildlife observation,” said State Forestry Administrator Michael A. Valenti. “We would also like to thank the Sposato and Huff families for the willingness to offer their land to ensure the conservation of our vital forests.”

“Our families are very excited that the property will become part of Redden State Forest,” said Richard M. Huff, one of the family members.

Illustration of the location of the new property added to Redden State Forest. Located east of U.S. 113 between Ellendale and Georgetown, the new acreage will provide a valuable wildlife corridor that connects with existing tracts of Redden State Forest. The newly-acquired land will be sustainably managed by the Delaware Forest Service for multiple objectives including wildlife habitat, timber production, and improved water quality, and will be open for recreational uses such as hunting and hiking.

“Thanks to the invaluable assistance of our partners, Delaware has reached another landmark in achieving our goal of protecting these valuable forests before they are converted to other uses,” Valenti said.

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Delaware Purchases 339 Acres of Sussex County Forestland With Help of U.S. Forest Service

Department of Agriculture | Former Governor Jack Markell (2009-2017) | Office of the Governor | Date Posted: Friday, May 25, 2012



image: Stock photo of Redden State Forest SignDOVER – Marking another milestone in its effort to conserve key natural resource areas, the State of Delaware has completed the purchase of 339 acres of Sussex County forestland that will now be part of the 12,400-acre Redden State Forest near Georgetown.

The purchase from the Huff and Sposato families marks the latest phase of the multi-year Green Horizons Project to protect working forests, water quality, and wildlife habitat in key environmental regions on the Delmarva Peninsula. The U.S. Forest Service’s Forest Legacy Program provided 75 percent of the funding and the Delaware Open Space Program contributed 25 percent.

“Preserving Delaware’s open space is important to maintaining Delaware’s quality of life,” said Governor Jack Markell.   “We are preserving precious real estate for generations to come.”

image:Delaware State Forester Michael A. Valenti joins Patricia Huff Stenger, center, and Jeanne Sposato after completing the purchase of 339 acres of forestland from the Sposato and Huff families“This forestland represents a permanent legacy for current and future generations of Delawareans who will enjoy free public access to its scenic natural beauty through a wide range of recreational activities such as hiking, hunting, and wildlife observation,” said State Forestry Administrator Michael A. Valenti. “We would also like to thank the Sposato and Huff families for the willingness to offer their land to ensure the conservation of our vital forests.”

“Our families are very excited that the property will become part of Redden State Forest,” said Richard M. Huff, one of the family members.

Illustration of the location of the new property added to Redden State Forest. Located east of U.S. 113 between Ellendale and Georgetown, the new acreage will provide a valuable wildlife corridor that connects with existing tracts of Redden State Forest. The newly-acquired land will be sustainably managed by the Delaware Forest Service for multiple objectives including wildlife habitat, timber production, and improved water quality, and will be open for recreational uses such as hunting and hiking.

“Thanks to the invaluable assistance of our partners, Delaware has reached another landmark in achieving our goal of protecting these valuable forests before they are converted to other uses,” Valenti said.

image_printPrint

Related Topics:  , , ,


Graphic that represents delaware news on a mobile phone

Keep up to date by receiving a daily digest email, around noon, of current news release posts from state agencies on news.delaware.gov.

Here you can subscribe to future news updates.