The Delaware Forest Service (DFS) hosted its 2026 Statewide Arbor Day Ceremony today at the Lewes Public Library, bringing together students, educators, community leaders, and forestry professionals to celebrate the importance of trees and environmental stewardship across the First State.

The annual ceremony recognized the creativity and environmental awareness of more than 7,000 Delaware students who participated in this year’s Arbor Day Poster Contest. Open to students in kindergarten through fifth grade, the contest invited participants to illustrate the 2026 theme: “Trees are Terrific… for People and Places.”

Twelve student winners, four each from New Castle, Kent, and Sussex counties, were honored for their outstanding artwork and thoughtful interpretations of the theme. Shuvam Kaity from North Star Elementary in Hockessin was named the overall winner.

“The first step towards any successful conservation effort is to foster appreciation for and understanding of the natural world,” said Ashley Melvin, Delaware Forest Service Education Specialist. “Young people who have developed a personal connection with nature will make life decisions that align with sustainability and proactive care for the environment. The annual Arbor Day Poster Contest provides Delaware students with the opportunity to express how ‘Trees are Terrific’ to them. The poster contest empowers students to raise awareness for the importance of environmental stewardship through creative visual messaging.”

The ceremony also featured remarks from Dan Lambe, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation, who joined the celebration to recognize Delaware’s continued commitment to forestry and conservation.

“Delaware is a national leader with the amazing projects its Forest Service and Urban & Community Forestry program are undertaking,” Lambe said. “Everyone throughout the state should be proud of their efforts.”

2026 Arbor Day Poster Contest Winners

New Castle County

• Kindergarten: Saanvi Komatineni – Cedar Lane Early Childhood Center, Middletown
• Grades 1 & 2: Jishnu Shankar – North Star Elementary, Hockessin
• Grades 3 & 4: Miki Thantharanont – Lancashire Elementary, Wilmington
• Grade 5: Shuvam Kaity – North Star Elementary, Hockessin

Kent County

• Kindergarten: Amaya Fruits – McIlvaine Early Childhood Center, Magnolia
• Grades 1 & 2: Liam Rivera – Sunnyside Elementary, Smyrna
• Grades 3 & 4: Sophie Benjamin – Nellie Stokes Elementary, Camden
• Grade 5: Theresa Sherman – Campus Community School, Dover

Sussex County

• Kindergarten: Iyla Gordon – St. John’s Preschool, Seaford
• Grades 1 & 2: Conor Petrie – Lord Baltimore Elementary, Ocean View
• Grades 3 & 4: Sunny Smith – Rehoboth Elementary, Rehoboth
• Grade 5: Emma Berry – Southern Delaware School of the Arts, Selbyville

The Delaware Forest Service’s Arbor Day Poster Contest remains a cornerstone of its education and outreach efforts, helping to inspire the next generation of environmental stewards. By connecting students to the value of trees through creative expression, the program reinforces the agency’s mission to conserve, protect, and enhance Delaware’s forests.

The Arbor Day Ceremony serves not only as a celebration of student achievement, but also as a reminder that investing in environmental education today helps ensure a healthier, more resilient Delaware for generations to come.

Arbor Day is celebrated annually on the last Friday in April, serving as a reminder of the vital role trees play in improving air and water quality, supporting wildlife habitat, strengthening communities, and enhancing the quality of life for all Delawareans.

The Delaware Forest Service (DFS), within the Delaware Department of Agriculture, continues to advance its mission to conserve, protect, and enhance Delaware’s forests through strategic investments in communities and landscapes across the state. Through a combination of grant programs, technical assistance, and partnerships, DFS provides critical support to landowners, municipalities, and organizations working to expand and sustain Delaware’s tree canopy.

Annually, the Delaware Forest Service facilitates the planting of more than 100,000 trees statewide across all forest service programs, contributing to forest resiliency and community well-being. These efforts are supported by millions of dollars in investments and cost-share assistance aimed at improving forest health, increasing the urban tree canopy, and promoting sustainable land stewardship.

“Arbor Day is an opportunity to recognize the lasting impact trees have on our communities and our environment,” said Kyle Hoyd, State Forester. “Through strategic partnerships, sound forest management, and continued investment in our programs, we are ensuring that Delaware’s forests remain healthy, productive, and accessible for generations to come.”

Urban & Community Forestry: Growing Stronger Communities

A key component of Delaware’s Arbor Day impact is the work of the Urban & Community Forestry (U&CF) Program, which supports local tree initiatives across towns, cities, and neighborhoods statewide.

In 2026, the Delaware Forest Service continues to partner with multiple municipalities, with more than 25 communities recognized as Tree City USA participants throughout Delaware. Lewes, Rehoboth, Georgetown, Milford, Dover, Odessa, New Castle, and Ardentown are among those recognized. All these communities actively celebrate Arbor Day by hosting local events, tree plantings, and educational programs, demonstrating a shared commitment to urban and community forestry.

“The Urban and Community Forestry program plays an important role in strengthening communities and expanding tree canopy across the state,” said Taryn Davidson, the Delaware Forest Service’s Urban Forest Coordinator. “They provide critical financial and technical support that enables municipalities, HOAs, and non-profit organizations to implement tree planting and maintenance projects that might not otherwise be possible. Grant funding also helps build local capacity by encouraging communities to plan, prioritize, and invest in long-term urban forestry efforts, while providing environmental and community benefits such as improved stormwater management, reduced urban heat island effects, enhanced wildlife habitat, and increased property values.”

Statewide Arbor Day Celebration

Delaware’s official Arbor Day celebration will be held on Friday, May 1,  at the Lewes Public Library in Lewes, where the Delaware Forest Service will recognize student winners of the annual Arbor Day Poster Contest.

This year’s contest, themed “Trees are Terrific… for People and Places,” highlights the creativity and environmental awareness of Delaware students in grades K–5. A total of 12 student winners, representing communities across the state, will be honored during the ceremony.

Special guest Dan Lambe, CEO of the Arbor Day Foundation, will be joining Delaware Forest Service at the Statewide Arbor Day celebration.

“Arbor Day is more than a date on the calendar, it’s a call to action,” said Lambe. “As our communities and ecosystems face growing environmental challenges, this holiday reminds us how important it is to care for the planet. We can all play a part in shaping a better future, and we’re grateful for the many tree champions who are stepping up to meet the moment. The local impact of organizations like the Delaware Forest Service helps drive the collective effort to grow and protect our nation’s forests.”

The annual celebration reinforces the importance of engaging the next generation in conservation and stewardship while recognizing the vital role trees play in everyday life.

The Delaware Forest Service (DFS) Wildland Fire Program is proud to announce the launch of its Federal Firefighter Property (FFP) Program, a valuable equipment assistance initiative designed to strengthen emergency response capabilities for fire departments across Delaware.

Through partnerships with the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, surplus military and federal equipment is transferred to states and placed back into service for wildfire suppression and emergency operations. The Delaware Forest Service provides eligible fire departments access to essential equipment at no cost, helping departments expand their resources while reducing financial burden. Participating agencies may receive equipment with minimal conditions for use and maintenance and, in many cases, gain full ownership.

Equipment Available May Include:

• Pickups, SUVs, utility vans, box trucks
• 2.5-ton and 5-ton trucks
• Fire tankers and pumpers
• Generators and trailers
• Light towers, light bars, and sirens
• Hoses, nozzles, and pumps
• Fresh air compressors and breathing apparatus
• Turnout gear
• Specialized tools and support equipment

By placing reliable equipment directly into the hands of local departments, the program improves response times, enhances firefighter safety, and supports wildfire and all-hazard preparedness statewide.

How to Apply

Fire departments interested in participating should submit the Firefighter Property Program Request Form (Form 4.24) to Breleigh Cannon, Delaware Forest Service’s Volunteer Fire Program Coordinator (Breleigh.Cannon@delaware.gov, (302) 698-4544).

Applicants will also enter into a Cooperative Equipment Possession Agreement (Form 4.29) that outlines the shared responsibilities between DFS and the participating department.

• Application Deadline: Continuous sign-up departments may apply at any time.
• Applications can be found: http://de.gov/wildfire

The Delaware Forest Service Wildland Fire Program works to protect lives, property, and natural resources through wildfire prevention, preparedness, suppression, and community partnerships. Programs like the FFP initiative ensure Delaware’s fire departments have the tools they need to serve their communities safely and effectively.

DNREC and the Delaware Department of Agriculture will conduct a controlled burn at Brandywine Creek State Park to encourage the growth of native wildflowers and grasses and create nesting habitats for grassland birds and pollinators./ DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation photo

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control is partnering with the Delaware Department of Agriculture on a controlled burn at Brandywine Creek State Park in March or April to manage 27 acres of meadows near the park entrance to encourage the growth of native plants and create suitable habitat for wildlife.

While much of the natural area managed by the DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation is forested, Brandywine Creek State Park is known for its vast meadow views divided by blue gneiss stone walls. The last controlled burn at the park was held in March 2024 near the nature center.

Prescribed burning is a meadow management technique which mimics natural fire and is used periodically in place of annual mowing to reset ecological succession of meadows before they become forest. Additionally, this controlled burn will encourage the growth of native wildflowers and warm season grasses and create nesting habitats for grassland birds like the eastern bluebird and common yellowthroat, native pollinators like the orange sulphur and monarch butterflies, and other grassland-dependent animals.

The Division of Parks and Recreation is coordinating with the DNREC Division of Air Quality and the DDA Forest Service to perform the burn on a single day, to be determined by weather, personnel availability and open burning approval. Brandywine Creek State Park will be closed to the public on the date of the burn. Once those details are known, they will be announced on the park’s Facebook and Instagram accounts.

For more information on how DNREC and its partners use controlled and prescribed burns, see the Outdoor Delaware article, “Prescribed Burns Help Delaware Manage Habitat and Prevent Wildfires.”

About DNREC
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities and educates Delawareans about the environment. The DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation oversees more than 26,000 acres in 17 state parks and the Brandywine Zoo and the Indian River Marina.  For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter) or LinkedIn.

Celebrating A Milestone Year
Delaware State Parks is celebrating 75 years of outdoor adventures and lasting memories. What began in 1951 with three parks has grown into a system that now includes 17 state parks, 22 nature preserves, the Brandywine Zoo and the Indian River Marina — together protecting more than 27,000 acres. In 2026, the division will honor the people, parks and partners who built this legacy and invite visitors to join in inspiring exploration, discovery and a deeper connection to the outdoors for generations to come.

Media contact: Beth Kuhles-Heiney, elizabeth.kuhlesheiney@delaware.gov; Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov

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DOVER — The Delaware Forest Service is inviting students across the state to celebrate Arbor Day by participating in the 2026 Arbor Day Poster Contest, open to all public and private schools, homeschool groups and organized youth programs serving grades K–5. It provides a fun and creative way for students to celebrate Arbor Day in their classrooms.

This year’s theme, “Trees are Terrific…for People and Places!”, highlights the many ways trees support healthier, happier communities. Trees provide fresh oxygen to breathe, food to eat, and wood for countless everyday products. They offer shade that cools homes, streets, and parks, helping reduce energy use and create comfortable places for people to gather. Trees also improve emotional well-being, reduce stress, support wildlife, prevent soil erosion, and manage stormwater by absorbing excess rainwater.

People and trees share a strong connection. By planting, watering, and protecting trees and forests, communities help ensure a cleaner, greener, and more resilient environment for generations to come. From busy neighborhoods to quiet community forests, trees help create stronger and more enjoyable places to live.

Teachers and youth leaders are encouraged to register their classes to participate in the contest by Friday, March 6, using the online form at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScCxlO2QblindK1iaHCsfgfs9X-FAcTdXV5r6-f09-i_VyHqg/viewform

Poster submissions are due by Friday, March 20. Once registered, participants will receive additional contest details and updates from the Delaware Forest Service.

Arbor Day in Delaware is designated as Friday, April 24. The Arbor Day Poster Contest remains one of the largest youth conservation programs of its kind in the state, inspiring thousands of Delaware students each year to learn about trees and environmental stewardship.

For more information, please contact Ashley.Melvin@delaware.gov or visit the registration link above.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Stephanie Alexander, Delaware Forest Service, Community Relations Officer
302-698-4547 | Stephanie.Alexander@delaware.gov