Campaign aims to reduce litter in Delaware

REHOBOTH BEACH, Del. – Joined by local leaders, members of the General Assembly, and advocates, Governor John Carney on Tuesday launched the “Keep DE Litter Free” initiative, a campaign to reduce litter across Delaware.

Sign the pledge: “Keep DE Litter Free”

“If you’re like me, you notice litter everywhere – in trees, on highway ramps, and along roads in all three counties,” said Governor John Carney. “When I took the oath of office to become Delaware’s 74th Governor, I pledged not only to uphold our Constitution, but to ‘respect the right of future generations to share the rich historic and natural heritage’ of our state. From Trap Pond in Laurel to the Brandywine Creek in Wilmington, we live in a beautiful state, and we should take care to preserve that heritage. That’s why, in partnership with Keep Delaware Beautiful, we have launched a statewide campaign to encourage all Delawareans and visitors to not litter, to respect our natural heritage, and Keep DE Litter Free.”

https://www.youtube.com/embed/x-5DX17_Dyg

The campaign aims to increase awareness about litter in Delaware, to partner with local officials to pursue anti-litter policies, and to reduce the amount of litter in Delaware over time.

A 2018 study from Keep Delaware Beautiful and the State of Delaware identified more than 6,000 pieces of litter for every mile of Delaware roadway surveyed. Cigarette butts, plastic bags, aluminum cans, and glass bottles accounted for a significant percentage of the roadway trash. Governor Carney also is supporting legislation, sponsored by Representative Gerald Brady, to ban single-use plastic bags in Delaware.

“In addition to negatively impacting the appearance of our state and the environment, reckless littering also causes us to devote significant time and man power to cleaning it up,” said Jennifer Cohan, Secretary of the Delaware Department of Transportation. “We have men and women risking their lives on our roads picking up trash that careless people just toss out their windows. It’s just not acceptable.”

“Littering and illegal dumping have become a growing problem statewide impacting our lands and waterways,” said Shawn M. Garvin, Secretary of the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control. “Governor Carney’s ‘Keep Delaware Litter Free’ campaign will help to raise awareness and challenge all of us to clean up Delaware. DNREC will use our authorities to support this effort.”

“We are excited about the launch of the Keep DE Litter-Free initiative the Governor unveiled today. Every Delawarean can play a role in helping to Keep Delaware Beautiful by committing to do their part,” said Julie Miro Wenger, Executive Director, Keep Delaware Beautiful. “We hope to help change behavior. We appreciate the commitment and partnership with the Governor, his administration and the legislature.”

“Delaware is home to a variety of natural treasures, with my community contributing miles of pristine, award-winning beaches and the historic horseshoe crabs that inhabit them. Littering pollutes that beauty and threatens our wildlife and nature,” said House Speaker Pete Schwartzkopf. “It’s up to all of us to take action to keep our communities clean. Governor Carney’s initiative will help raise awareness of the dangers of littering and encourage residents to make a sustainable, substantial difference.”

“We have to bring back into our social consciousness that littering is disrespectful not only to our environment, but to our state and our country,” said Senator Stephanie Hansen. “Littering sends the message that ‘I don’t care about this place’ and that’s unacceptable.”

“Litter negatively impacts our tourism industry, harms the environment, and degrades the quality-of-life for all our residents,” said Representative Rich Collins. “Turning the tide on this pervasive problem is going to require a multi-faceted effort, which includes rallying public support.”

“The Partnership for the Delaware is thrilled that Governor Carney is launching a statewide litter prevention program,” saidKathy Klein, interim executive director for Partnership for the Delaware Estuary. “This effort supports our organization’s work to keep trash out of our region’s waterways through education and coordinated hands-on volunteer cleanup programs. We look forward to working with the governor and his team on this important initiative.”

“Delaware’s oceans, waves, and beaches will be cleaner if we can focus on preventing litter inland and upstream,” said John Weber, Mid Atlantic Regional Manager for the Surfrider Foundation. “Preventing litter in the first place and cleaning it up where you see it is the best way to keep Delaware Beaches clean.”

“The Delaware Sierra Club commends Governor Carney for recognizing the need to educate the public on this important anti-litter campaign. Delaware’s waterways and beaches are too important to be polluted by litter. We thank the Governor for taking this first step toward protecting our water and our tourism economy,” said Sherri Evans-Stanton, Chapter Director, Delaware Chapter of the Sierra Club.

“MERR is very heartened that Governor Carney is taking this important initiative to stem the overwhelming problem of litter, which often ends up in the ocean and other waterways in the form of marine debris,” said Suzanne Thurman, Executive Director of the MERR Institute. “This debris has the potential to harm and even kill marine mammals and sea turtles when it is ingested or entangles them, and contaminates the marine ecosystem as plastics photo-degrade, causing toxic chemicals to enter the water column and other organisms such as fish.”

Sign the pledge – Help Keep DE Litter Free 

Join the conversation online using the hashtag #KeepDELitterFree

DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin congratulates Kent County Agricultural Award honoree Alfred Moor Jr. of Smyrna, with his granddaughter-in-law Hallie Moor, great-grandson Everett Moor, and Gail Montgomery.

Delaware Association of Conservation Districts also honors Legislator of the Year

DOVER – The Delaware Agricultural Museum and Village was the setting for today’s annual Governor’s Agricultural and Urban Conservation Awards. Governor John Carney, along with DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin, Delaware Association of Conservation Districts President Edwin Alexander, and USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service State Conservationist Kasey Taylor, led a ceremony recognizing this year’s honorees and signed a proclamation officially designating April 28-May 4 as Soil and Water Stewardship Week in Delaware under the theme, “Life in the Soil: Dig Deeper.”

“Today’s honorees have demonstrated their ongoing commitment to improving the environment, and on behalf of Delawareans, I thank each of them for their dedication and for their time, effort, and investment to implement model conservation practices,” said Governor Carney. “I also want to thank all of the Conservation District supervisors and employees for the many and various contributions they make to improve the quality of life in Delaware.”

“Much of the work we do at DNREC is accomplished through partnerships with Delaware’s three conservation districts and USDA-NRCS, and these awards highlight the beneficial outcomes of these relationships,” said Secretary Garvin. “This year’s honorees are outstanding and diverse examples of how we can learn from the success of others and can all be better environmental stewards by taking thoughtful and important actions to protect and enhance our water and air quality.”

This year’s Conservation Award winners are:

NEW CASTLE COUNTY

AGRICULTURAL: Colonial School District Penn Farm, New Castle
Now in its seventh year, the Colonial School District’s Penn Farm provides real-world life experiences to more than 300 students each year in the areas of field scale crop production, production gardening, animal husbandry, agri-business marketing, environmental best practices, and food safety skills. The farming operation includes nutrient and irrigation management, soil health tillage practices, on-farm and farm market sales, and retail management experiences. The Penn Farm’s 4-acre operation produces nearly 20,000 pounds of produce annually, with approximately half going to the school lunch program and half to the local community, local farm markets, and 40 local members of Community Supported Agriculture. The Penn Farm is Delaware’s prototype farm-to-school program, and demonstrates the benefits collaboration between the school district and students, families, local communities and supporting businesses. Partners include the Delaware Department of Agriculture, Delaware State University, Delaware Cooperative Extension, Trustees of New Castle Common, Foodbank of Delaware, Delaware Greenways and New Castle County.

URBAN: New Castle County Department of Public Works, for the Westwoods Stormwater Management Pond Upgrade, near Hockessin
The Westwoods stormwater management pond failed following a severe storm in July 2017. The storm washed away a 24-inch corrugated metal pipe, resulting in the collapse of a 200-foot earthen embankment that covered the pipe, leaving an open channel emptying into a tributary of Mill Creek. New Castle County’s annual stormwater amnesty program provides $1.5 million in assistance each year to retrofit and perform major repairs on residential development stormwater facilities, which helps improve water quality. NCC’s Department of Public Works contracted with New Castle Conservation District to reengineer and design the upgrade project; NCCD also provided construction inspection, permit acquisition, and construction management services when bid prices for construction of the pond upgrade project’s original design exceeded the county’s budget. The pond upgrade project restored the functions of the stormwater management pond as well as the accompanying benefits of water quality improvement and better sediment control.

KENT COUNTY

AGRICULTURAL: Alfred Moor Jr., Smyrna
Alfred Moor Jr., and his son Alfred Moor III, own and operate a 6,000-acre farm near Smyrna, which over the years has included grain and dairy production, as well as a harness horse operation. An active Kent Conservation District cooperator since 1976, Alfred Moor Jr. was a responsible land steward long before it became normal operating procedure for today’s agricultural operations, by implementing state-of-the-art waste storage and nutrient management systems and installing drainage practices to ensure proper water quality and management. His life-long commitment to using conservation measures on the lands under his care has contributed to good soil health, a sustained environment, and continued integrity of the land. Mr. Moor Jr. has also served as the tax ditch manager for the Mt. Friendship Tax Ditch for 43 years, representing nearby landowners, ensuring proper ditch maintenance, and improving management and quality of waters entering the Delaware River and Bay.

URBAN: Nick Alessandro, Diamond State Pole Buildings, Felton
The Diamond State Pole Building project at 7288 South DuPont Highway just south of Woodside overcame challenging site conditions through the use of permeable asphalt and bio retention. Due to the high groundwater table at this location, and the presence of environmentally-sensitive areas surrounding the site, traditional stormwater management practices were ruled out by the owner’s engineering firm, The Pelsa Company of Newark. Permeable asphalt allows stormwater runoff to pass through into a stone bed under the parking lot. Three sections of permeable asphalt were installed in the parking spaces, with traditional asphalt used in the drive aisles for project longevity. As the first use of permeable asphalt approved by the Kent Conservation District, this project will serve as an example of the cost-effectiveness and applicability of the material, and will encourage its use on other challenging sites where traditional stormwater approaches may not be an option.

SUSSEX COUNTY

AGRICULTURAL: Richard Carlisle, Pine Breeze Farms, near Bridgeville/Greenwood
Richard Carlisle of Pine Breeze Farms, and his wife Kathy farm 1,120 acres in western Sussex County near Bridgeville and Greenwood, all within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. Carlisle has long supported and participated in the Sussex Conservation District’s Soil Health Initiative and Cover Crop Program or the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service’s cover crop programs. He was instrumental in the purchase, implementation, and ongoing updates of the District’s air seeder, which he has used to establish his cover crops early to improve water quality and soil health. To address irrigation water management and improve efficiency, Pine Breeze Farms has installed new wells and pumps, and replaced aging center pivot systems and an old diesel irrigation motor with an electric motor. The farm has also improved nutrient management, using “smart soil sampling” technology and GPS yield maps to locate deficiencies in vital nutrients and help determine efficient use of fertilizers. Richard also serves as a tax ditch commissioner and officer on the Jones Mill and Jones Branch tax ditches, and worked with the District to develop a tax ditch conservation plan with a maintenance schedule and recommendations for implementing water quality best management practices.

URBAN: Town of Laurel and Laurel Redevelopment Corporation for Tidewater Park
Constructed in spring 2018, Tidewater Park brings green infrastructure improvements and stormwater management to the Town of Laurel’s waterfront area through a constructed wetland adjoining Broad Creek that was planted with native aquatic plants, and with a footbridge over the wetland connected to an existing walkway. Environmental benefits from the project include reduction of nutrients, enhancement of water quality, creation of native fish habitat, and the addition of native urban tree canopy, as well as providing stormwater management for 2.23 acres of impervious surfaces. Tidewater Park is the first phase of “The Ramble,” a redevelopment plan that incorporates the town’s waterfront into a mixed-use-based community, with the goal of enhancing the creek’s natural features while drawing tourism and businesses to create a small-town environment that is a great place to live, work, and play. Partners for implementation of Tidewater Park include the Town of Laurel, Laurel Redevelopment Corporation, Foresite Associates, DNREC, University of Delaware and the Sussex Conservation District.

Delaware Association of Conservation Districts’ Legislator of the Year
The Delaware Association of Conservation Districts (DACD) also recognized State Representative Gerald Brady, 4th District, as the 2018 Legislator of the Year, an annual award given for outstanding service, loyalty and devotion to conservation efforts in Delaware. As a former Wilmington City Councilman from 1996-2006 and a Wilmington native who served 35 years in the Delaware Army National Guard, Rep. Brady shares a firm belief in government’s responsibility to provide sufficient infrastructure and protected resources for future generations. He was also the recent recipient of the Delaware Recreation and Parks Society’s Legislator of the Year.

Delaware’s Conservation Districts, one in each county, are a unique governmental unit working within DNREC. Their mission is to provide technical and financial assistance to help Delawareans conserve and improve their local natural resources, including solving land, water and related resource problems; developing conservation programs to solve them; enlisting and coordinating help from public and private sources to accomplish these goals; and increasing awareness of the inter-relationship between human activities and the natural environment. Delaware’s district supervisors have a statewide organization, the Delaware Association of Conservation Districts (DACD), a voluntary, non-profit alliance that provides a forum for discussion and coordination among the Conservation Districts.

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

Vol. 49, No. 110

Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long and the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services’ Division of Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities (DSAAPD) are hosting an event on Tuesday, April 30, in Dover to show what Dementia Friendly Delaware can offer for Delawareans living with dementia and their families.

Dementia Friendly Delaware (DFD) is a network of communities, organizations and individuals seeking to ensure that communities across Delaware are equipped to support people living with dementia and their caregivers. Dementia-friendly communities foster the ability of people living with dementia to remain in the community and engage and thrive in day-to-day living.

“As Delaware’s Lieutenant Governor, I am working with partners from around the state to take on our most pressing health care challenges, including behavioral health, in order to make Delaware a stronger and healthier place,” Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long said. “We all can join together to address these challenges. As awareness of dementia grows, we can take action to create dementia-friendly communities. Every part of the community, including your organization, has a unique role in supporting people with dementia and their family and friends.”

Delaware will offer a preview of the new Delaware Center for Alzheimer’s disease and Related Dementia (DECARD), a virtual hub for resources and information on dementia, at the April 30 event at the Blue Hen Corporate Center at 655 Bay Road, Dover. Delaware is looking for municipalities, corporations and organizations to take the lead and become dementia friendly. If you or your agency are interested, please attend this event to learn more. It starts at 1:30 p.m.

The DECARD site will host tools that organizations can use to support staff who are caring for individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia or who have been diagnosed themselves. Trainings, videos and guides for different community sectors will also be available on the site, which will be the virtual home to Dementia Friendly Delaware. This is part of a larger initiative, Dementia Friendly America (DFA). Visit www.dfamerica.org to learn more about DFA.

DSAAPD, one of DHSS’ 11 divisions, advocates for, provides access to, and coordinates long-term services and supports in the most appropriate setting. For more information about DSAAPD, call the Aging and Disability Resource Center at 1-800-223-9074.

If you cannot attend the event but would still like more information, please contact Julie.Devlin@delaware.gov.

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The Department of Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of life of Delaware’s citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.

The Delaware Department of Education has awarded eight new 21^st Century Community Learning Center (CCLC) program grants under the federal Every Student Succeeds Act.

The 21^st CCLC programs are designed to provide students with academic enrichment activities to improve the academic success of students from Title I schools. Schools are designated as Title I based on high percentages of students who come from low-income families.

The 21^st CCLC programs are partnerships between a school (or schools) and community partner(s).  Partnerships may design programs that support elementary, middle, and/or high school students. Subgrantees must serve students who attend schools that are eligible as Title I schoolwide programs. Subgrantees must offer opportunities for families to actively and meaningfully engage in their children’s education.

Funding for 21^st CCLCs is awarded through a competitive process. Applicants propose a program and budget based on the activities designed to meet the needs of their students. These programs are renewable for up to five years.

The new programs awarded this year are:

• The Boys and Girls Clubs of Delaware and the Red Clay Consolidated School District ($320,000) will institute a Futures Workshop summer and after-school program for 110 students in grades K to 5 at Shortlidge Academy and Highlands and Richey elementary schools. The program will offer students a wide range of educational and recreational activities, including tutoring in the core content areas, mentoring, youth development programs, literacy activities, homework help, and music and dance.

• The Boys and Girls Clubs of Delaware and the Seaford School District ($400,000) will launch a Great Futures summer and after-school program for 110 students in grades K – 8 at the Western Sussex Boys and Girls Club for students in Blades, Central, West Seaford, and Fred Douglass elementary schools as well as Seaford Middle School. The program will offer life skills, physical fitness, nutrition, leadership programs, dance, drama, science, engineering and technology.

• The Cape Henlopen School District ($320,000) will run the Friends at Milton Elementary (FAME) summer and after-school program with two community partners, the Milton Public Library and the Milton Theater. About 110 Milton Elementary students in grades 1 through 5 will participate in authentic experiences, which encourage critical thinking, influencing others positively, respecting diversity, and growing through perseverance and determination.

• The Capital School District ($240,000) will lead the East Dover 21^st Century Student Learning and Achievement Matters (SLAM) Program with community partners Junior Achievement of Delaware, Kent County Community School, Dover YMCA, Wesley College, Dover Police Athletic League, POLYTECH Adult Education Parents as Teachers, Delaware Multicultural Civic Organization, Girl Scouts of the Chesapeake Bay, and University of Delaware Cooperative Extension 4-H. About 105 East Dover Elementary School students in grades K through 4 will combine academic and enrichment components with prevention and social/emotional wellness activities that bring quality, real world learning experiences to students and their families during summer and after school.

• The Colonial School District ($399,621) will manage the Creating Access and Opportunity in Colonial summer and after-school program with community partners the Summer Learning Collaboration, the Police Athletic League of Delaware, and University of Delaware Cooperative Extension 4-H. About 185 students from Castle Hills and Eisenberg elementary schools will take part in a year-round program of activities that will help students be better equipped to excel as students, athletes, artists, engineers, and citizens.

• Duffy’s Hope, Inc. and the Christina School District ($240,000) will operate the Duffy’s Hope After-school Prevention Program to allow 85 students in grades 9 – 12 from Glasgow High School to have hands-on learning and opportunities throughout summer and after school to create focus topics based on their interest. Students will participate in various forms of enrichment and teambuilding activities to engage their families and have fun learning.

• The Latin American Community Center (LACC) and the Red Clay Consolidated School District ($240,000) will institute the LACC Youth Achievement Center summer and afterschool for 85 students in grades 7 to 9 from A. I. du Pont Middle School and A. I. du Pont High School. The program will offer organized sports, and enrichment activities, STEM and multi-media programs, leadership development, service learning, and exploring pathways to career and college. The program will also improve caregivers’ parenting skills, English language learning and literacy, and participation in the students’ educational process.

• The Woodbridge School District ($230,000) will lead the Phillis Wheatley Elementary School 21^st CCLC Afterschool and Summer Program for students in grades 3- 5. The program will advance academic and social skills and to increase family and school connectedness for students struggling with literacy and mathematics. There will be opportunities for the students to work together on literacy, STEM, and college and career readiness. Social skills instruction and physical fitness will help students become healthy in body and mind.

These new grant winners join Delaware 21st CCLC programs funded in previous cohorts:

• Red Clay Consolidated School District at Lewis Dual Language, Richardson Park and Warner elementary schools;
• EastSide Charter School;
• Capital School District at Dover High;
• University of Delaware Cooperative Extension at Lake Forest South Elementary in Lake Forest School District;
• University of Delaware Cooperative Extension at Showell Elementary in Indian River School District;
• Capital School District at Central Middle School;
• Freire Charter School;
• Thomas Edison Charter School;
• Kuumba Charter School;
• Capital School District at William Henry Middle School;
• Charter School of New Castle;
• Great Oaks Charter School; and
• University of Delaware Cooperative Extension at Milford Academy and Milford High School in Milford School District.

The 21^st Century Community Learning Centers program is a competitive federal grant program managed by the Delaware Department of Education. For more information on how schools and community organization partners can apply for a 21^st CCLC grant, please contact John Hulse at (302) 735-4100 or john.hulse@doe.k12.de.us.

Media Contact: Alison May, alison.may@doe.k12.de.us, 302-735-4006

(Smyrna) – Nonprofit organizations in Delaware that have 501 (c) (3) status may be eligible to participate in the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) which targets those organizations that may be at high risk of terrorist attack.  Nonprofits that may qualify must submit an application to the Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) by May 13, 2019 to be considered for funding.  Each individual nonprofit organization may be awarded up to a maximum of $100,000. The Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) is the State Administrative Agency for the Homeland Security Grant Program.

Eligible applicants must conduct a vulnerability assessment that demonstrates the organization is at high risk of a terrorist attack.  The grant application must include risks, vulnerabilities, and the proposed project intended to address/mitigate the identified risks and vulnerabilities.  Allowable projects should focus on security-related activities. Funding can be used for security-related planning; exercises; training; contracted security personnel; and the acquisition and installation of security equipment on real property (including buildings and improvements) owned or leased by the nonprofit organization at the time of application.

Applying nonprofits must complete the application which includes an Investment Justification (IJ) document, mission statement, risk assessment, and supporting documentation.  A Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) is needed for application.

No applications will be accepted by DEMA after May 13, 2019.  Qualified applications will be forwarded to the U.S. Department of Safety and Homeland Security by May 29, and grant administrators at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will make the final determination of eligibility and award.

Complete qualification information and application packages can be found on DEMA’s website, www.dema.delaware.gov.  Completed applications should be sent to Plan.DEMA@delaware.gov.