Dover — Charter School of Wilmington Team A won the 2017 Delaware Envirothon competition held April 27 at University of Delaware’s Webb Farm in Newark, marking the school’s 18th win in the event’s 22-year history, including an unbroken winning streak since 2002. Middletown FFA finished second and Charter School of Wilmington Team B placed third. The Envirothon is sponsored by the Delaware Association of Conservation Districts.

The 21 competing Envirothon teams worked hard all school year to prepare for the event. Each team identified samples, took measurements and answered questions on topics dealing with aquatic ecology, soils/land-use, wildlife, forestry, air quality and the current environmental issue of agricultural soil and water conservation stewardship. Teams also had to give a seven- to 10-minute oral presentation on a scenario utilizing the nine steps of conservation planning to identify resource concerns and best management practices of a cropland and poultry farming operation. After more than three hours of testing, Charter School of Wilmington Team A was crowned the 2017 state champion, continuing the school’s remarkable run of success in the Envirothon.

Each member of the winning team earned a $500 scholarship from the Delaware Envirothon, a $100 gift card and other prizes. The winning team will also receive an award plaque for their school and will represent Delaware at the National Conservation Foundation North American Envirothon at Mount St. Mary’s University in Emmittsburg, Maryland at the end of July. The second, third and fourth place teams received more than $1,670 in special team awards and cash prizes.

Prizes in the form of gift cards and ribbons were awarded to the top seven teams. The official Envirothon results were:

• First place: Charter School of Wilmington, Team A – Siddharth Gangrade, Catherine Yu, Connor Sweeney, Allen Wang, and Ashley Pennington. Team advisors: Rose Lounsbury and Greg Darone
• Second place: Middletown High School FFA – William Nylander, Ariana Gaston, Joshua Housler, Timothy Mulderrig, and Sara Collins. Team advisor: Jeff Billings
• Third place: Charter School of Wilmington, Team B – Adraitha Anne, AJ Yuan, John Garcia, Elan Tran and Pooja Kaji. Team advisors: Rose Lounsbury and Greg DaroneFourth place: Peach Blossom 4-H Club – Oliver Menard, Lida Gannon, Reese Yost, Leslie Webb, Maci Carter, Drew Harris (alternate) and Adam Collier (alternate). Team advisor: Elaine Webb
• Fifth place: Charter School of Wilmington, Team C – Nicole Flowerhill, Tara Lennon, Eddie Huang, Priyanka Hoskere, and Harshitha Henry. Team advisors: Rose Lounsbury and Greg Darone
• Sixth place: A.I. DuPont High School, Team Clean Coal – Jan Castro, Mackenzie Crossley, Bethany DeGrotto, Julia Szymanski, Rachel Widom, Alicia Chen (alternate) and Sophie Girke (alternative). Team advisor: Amy Huebner
• Seventh place: MOT Charter, Mustangs Team A – Viktoria Brown, Shannon Hanggodo, Vishnusundar Somasundaram, Shachi Shah, Jalen Williams. Team advisor: Michelle Guenther

Since its inception, the Delaware Envirothon has awarded $55,000 in scholarships to 110 students. It is hosted by the Delaware Association of Conservation Districts (DACD), a voluntary, non-profit association that coordinates conservation efforts statewide to focus on natural resource issues identified by Delaware’s three local districts.

For more information about the Delaware Envirothon, please visit delawareenvirothon.org or contact Rick Mickowski at 302-832-3100 ext. 8979.

Media Contact: Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Vol. 47, No. 91

DOVER – Through a new public awareness campaign beginning today, DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife Mosquito Control Section urges residential and business property owners throughout the state to empty all standing water sources, large and small, to reduce mosquito-breeding habitat on their properties. The “Look About, Dump It Out!” campaign will be featured in television and radio public service announcements, billboards and public outreach.

“Any standing water left for four or more consecutive days has the potential to breed mosquitoes, whether it’s in the bottom of a boat or a bottle cap, and it needs to be drained to help eliminate breeding habitat and reduce mosquito populations. That’s our message in ‘Look About, Dump It Out!’” said Mosquito Control Administrator Dr. William Meredith. “With mosquito-borne illnesses such as West Nile virus already established in Delaware and the possibility of Zika virus occurring in the local mosquito population, reducing mosquito-breeding habitat is more crucial than ever.”

Items that should be drained or otherwise rendered unable to hold water include: discarded cans, buckets, jars, jugs; tires; clogged/improperly draining rain gutters and flexible downspouts; flower pot liners; stagnant bird baths; ornamental ponds; uncovered dumpsters, trash cans and lids; pet dishes and animal troughs; abandoned swimming pools and kiddie pools; children’s toys; upright wheel barrows; depressions in tarps; boats with drain plugs in place; abandoned vehicles and large household appliances.

Nineteen out of the 57 mosquito species found in Delaware are known to bite humans and several can transmit mosquito-borne diseases. Of these, two are short-distance flyers that breed primarily in artificial container habitats commonly found in urban or suburban locations and some rural areas. The native common house mosquito is primarily a nighttime biter but is also active around dawn and dusk, and is the primary transmitter for West Nile virus in Delaware. The non-native, invasive Asian tiger mosquito, which bites during daylight hours and around dawn and dusk, is a secondary vector for West Nile virus in Delaware, but is also known to carry dengue fever, chikungunya and Zika virus in other parts of the world. Both species can be difficult to control with insecticides, with eliminating breeding habitat the best means of population control.

For more information about Delaware’s Mosquito Control program, please call 302-739-9917.

Media contact: Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Vol. 47, No. 89

HARRINGTON – Gauger-Cobbs Middle School of Newark and W.T. Chipman Middle School of Harrington claimed the checkered flag today as 24 teams of middle school students from 14 schools across the state vied for honors in the Junior Solar Sprint, a competition in which students build and race solar-powered model cars. DNREC’s Division of Energy & Climate teamed up with the Delaware Technology Student Association to organize this year’s event at the Delaware State Fairgrounds.

Over the past few months, students worked with classmates and teacher advisors to build model cars powered by solar photovoltaic cells, or solar panels. Today, their work paid off as racers competed for top speed in time trials, as well as for awards in engineering design and creative design. And in the process of putting their cars into the Junior Solar Sprint competition they also got a better grasp of what solar technology can mean for their future.

“Solar technology allows us to harness the sun’s abundant energy for a clean, lasting power source,” said DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin. “Junior Solar Sprint challenges students to think about ways solar energy plays a larger role in our lives by providing electricity for our everyday energy needs. Delaware has over 4,000 solar energy systems across the state, powering homes, houses of worship, public buildings, farms and businesses. Solar and other forms of clean energy enable Delawareans to achieve a better quality of life by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and helping protect our environment.”

The Junior Solar Sprint competition is part of a national program sponsored by the U.S. Army Educational Outreach Program. It encourages students to engage in problem-solving, teamwork, and creative scientific thinking to solve environmental challenges. DNREC has participated in Junior Solar Sprint for more than 20 years. This year’s event was in conjunction with the Delaware Technology Student Association 2017 State Conference, which drew several hundred students to compete in various science and technology challenges.

Participating schools in this year’s Junior Solar Sprint were MOT Charter Middle School, Middletown; Fred Fifer Middle School, Camden; W.T. Chipman Middle School, Harrington; Providence Creek Academy, Clayton; Cab Calloway School of the Arts, Wilmington; P.S. duPont Middle School, Wilmington; Holy Cross School, Dover; Sanford School, Hockessin; Springer Middle School, Wilmington; Postlethwait Middle School, Camden; Beacon Middle School, Lewes; Gauger-Cobbs Middle School, Newark; H.B. DuPont Middle School, Hockessin, and Alfred G. Waters Middle School, Middletown.

2017 Junior Solar Sprint Competition results

All-around winners for combined speed, design, and presentation:

• 1st place: Gauger-Cobbs Middle School, Car #2
• 2nd place: Springer Middle School, Car #7
• 3rd place: W.T. Chipman Middle School, Car #14

Top five teams in time-trial races:

• 1st place: Gauger-Cobbs Middle School, Car #3
• 2nd place: Springer Middle School, Car #7
• 3rd place: Springer Middle School, Car #8
• 4th place: W.T. Chipman Middle School, Car #15
• 5th place: W.T. Chipman Middle School, Car #14

Top five teams in creative design:

• 1st place: W.T. Chipman Middle School, Car #14
• 2nd place: Springer Middle School, Car #8
• 3rd place: Sanford School, Car #19
• 4th place: Holy Cross Middle School, Car #21
• 5th place: Cab Calloway School of the Arts, Car #11

For more information on renewable energy programs administered by the Delaware Division of Energy & Climate, please visit the Division of Energy & Climate website. For a close-up of the Junior Solar Sprint competition, please view a video on DNREC’s Facebook page.

Media contact: Elizabeth Shockley, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Vol. 46, No. 90

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Wilmington, Del. (April 27, 2017) – Serratore has been working in the pastel medium for over 25 years. During this time his technique and style have evolved. “The more you work at it, the more you grow as an artist. The paintings are a direct result of that growth,” said Serratore.

In “Pastel Progressions,” Serratore harnesses representations of the land to demonstrate the effects of sunlight and spatial depth upon a scene. His use of color and blending techniques create moody, atmospheric landscapes that frame abstracted fields of saturated light and color. Several works showcased at the Mezzanine Gallery will reflect a new exploration of the artist’s evolution.

The exhibition will be on view from May 5-26 with an opening reception on Friday, May 5, from 5-7 p.m. The reception is free and open to the public.

Learn more about Serratore with our YouTube Meet the Artist video series. Image: The Rite of Spring, 2017, pastel, 46” x 38” (framed).

The Mezzanine Gallery is located in the Carvel State Office Building, 820 N. French St., Wilmington, DE 19801 and open Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/69_nkiCfrmY

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Contact: Leeann Wallett, Program Officer, Communications and Marketing
302-577-8280, leeann.wallett@delaware.gov

DOVER – Many of us have heard that eating fish is a key part of a healthy diet. But how much should we eat and are there risks to pregnant women and children? In January, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued updated advice regarding fish consumption that applies to fish and shellfish caught commercially and sold in U.S. retail outlets. This advice is geared toward helping women who are pregnant or may become pregnant – as well as breastfeeding mothers and parents of young children – make informed choices when it comes to fish that is healthy and safe to eat. The federal guidelines are based on mercury levels found in certain commercial fish species and do not consider fish caught in Delaware waterways by recreational anglers or anglers who rely on locally caught fish to supplement their diets.

Fish and other protein-rich foods have nutrients that can help your child’s growth and development. However, all fish contain at least traces of mercury, which can be harmful to the brain and nervous system if a person is exposed to too much of it over time. Children are especially sensitive to mercury poisoning because their organs and tissues are still developing. If pregnant women ingest methylmercury in fish, there is a danger to the developing nervous systems of their unborn children.

An FDA analysis of fish consumption data found that 50 percent of pregnant women surveyed ate fewer than 2 ounces of fish a week, far less than the amount recommended. Because the nutritional benefits of eating lower-mercury fish are important for growth and development during pregnancy and early childhood, the FDA and EPA are advising and promoting a minimum level of seafood consumption for these groups.

The advice recommends two to three servings of lower-mercury fish per week, or 8 to 12 ounces. The new advice is consistent with the 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

To help consumers more easily understand the types of fish to select, the agencies have created an easy-to-use reference chart that sorts 62 types of fish into three categories:

• “Best Choices” (eat two to three servings a week)
• “Good Choices” (eat one serving a week)
• “Fish to Avoid”

Fish in the “Best Choices” category make up nearly 90 percent of fish eaten in the United States and often have the lowest levels of mercury.

For adults, a typical serving is 4 ounces of fish, measured before cooking. It is recommended that women of childbearing age (about ages 16 to 49), especially pregnant and breastfeeding women, eat two to three servings of fish a week from the “Best Choices” list or one serving from the “Good Choices” list.

Serving sizes for children should be smaller and adjusted for their age and total calorie needs. It is recommended that starting at age 2, children eat approximately 2 ounces of fish once or twice a week. Everyone should eat a variety of fish types.

In June 2016, DPH and DNREC issued updated fish consumption advisories for fish caught by recreational anglers in Delaware’s fresh, estuarine and marine waters. The state advisories and more information can be found on the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control’s website here.

For additional federal information on fish consumption:

• Eating Fish: What Pregnant Women and Parents Should Know (FDA/EPA’s advice regarding fish consumption)
• Federal Register Notice Announcing the Advice

For answers to frequently asked questions about mercury, exposure and poisoning, visit http://www.dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dph/files/mercuryfaq.pdf. Effects of mercury on the brain may include irritability, shyness, tremors, changes in vision or hearing, and memory problems. Short-term exposures to high levels of mercury may cause lung damage, vomiting, diarrhea, increases in blood pressure or heart rate, skin rashes, eye irritation, and kidney damage. Exposure to mercury affects the kidneys in pregnant women.

A person who is deaf, hard-of-hearing, deaf-blind or speech-disabled can call the DPH phone number above by using TTY services. Dial 7-1-1 or 800-232-5460 to type your conversation to a relay operator, who reads your conversation to a hearing person at DPH. The relay operator types the hearing person’s spoken words back to the TTY user. To learn more about TTY availability in Delaware, visit http://delawarerelay.com.

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware’s citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations. DPH, a division of DHSS, urges Delawareans to make healthier choices with the 5-2-1 Almost None campaign: eat 5 or more fruits and vegetables each day, have no more than 2 hours of recreational screen time each day (includes TV, computer, gaming), get 1 or more hours of physical activity each day, and drink almost no sugary beverages.

The mission of the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control is to ensure the wise management, conservation and enhancement of the State’s natural resources, protect public health and the environment, provide quality outdoor recreation, improve the quality of life and educate the public on historic, cultural and natural resource use, requirements and issues.