DOVER, Del. (March 26, 2025)—The Delaware Forest Service received $1.5 million from the U.S. Forest Service to establish the Delaware Forest Resiliency Fund to create a cost-share program where landowners can address forest resiliency through tree planting, invasive species removal, and prescribed fire.

“This is by far the largest amount of grant funding in history that the Delaware Forest Service has received to promote forest stewardship to help improve forest conditions throughout the state,” said Kyle Hoyd, Delaware State Forester. “We are excited to be able to implement the Delaware Forest Resiliency Fund to expand upon the efforts of our existing cost-share programs to improve forest resiliency by supporting private forest landowners in increasing forest cover and diversity.”

The Delaware Forest Resiliency Fund is open to all landowners, including non-industrial private forestland owners, homeowners associations, nonprofits, municipalities, and county government. All projects must be a minimum of three acres in size, but an eligible landowner cannot own more than 10,000 forested acres in Delaware. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis and approved on a first-come, first-served basis, as funding allows. For more information or to apply, visit https://de.gov/forestresiliencyfund.

Forest loss has been one of the greatest threats to Delaware’s forests. Depending on the area within the state, there tend to be pine monocultures or severely high-graded hardwood stands. By utilizing native species in tree planting projects, such as oak species, shortleaf pine, Atlantic white cedar, bald cypress, and pitch pine, landowners can build resiliency in their forests. The goal of reforesting and creating new forestland is to slow the total net canopy loss in the next five years.

“Along with tree planting, we also selected invasive species control and prescribed fire as practices that would help improve forest health and resiliency, not only for participating landowners but all Delawareans,” said Forest Stewardship Coordinator Laura Upham. “Healthy, resilient forests are better equipped to protect water quality, improve air quality, increase carbon sequestration, and have aesthetic qualities that benefit everyone.”

Invasive species are a significant threat to the forest as they outcompete and displace native plant species, impact available food, and cover resources for native wildlife. To qualify for funding involving invasive species removal or control, the plant must be considered an invasive under the Delaware Invasive Species Council and found in the forest, as defined by the United States Forest Service.

Implementing prescribed fire allows native species that require fire as part of their life cycle to return to the landscape, and invasive species that flourish without fire are removed. Under the prescribed fire projects, eligible landowners can use the funding to install permanent vegetative fire breaks, allowing future prescribed burns to be conducted regularly. Funds can also be used to write prescribed fire burn plans, implementation measures, and other practices needed to perform a prescribed fire safely.

While tree planting projects have no maximum payment allocated, the invasive species removal and prescribed fire projects have a cap of $10,000 per landowner. Payments for tree-planting projects will be made directly to suppliers and contractors. Landowners requesting funds for invasive species removal or prescribed fire will be reimbursed for the projects once proof of implementation has been received and verified.

The Delaware Forest Resiliency Fund was created with funding from the US Forest Service as part of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (Public Law No: 117-169, Subtitle D, Sec. 23002 (a)(1)). For more information on how to apply for opportunities under the Delaware Forest Resiliency Fund, visit https://de.gov/forestresiliencyfund.

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DOVER, Del. (March 18, 2025)—The Delaware Forest Service’s Urban & Community Forestry Program will be hosting its 10th Annual Arborist and Tree Care Seminar. This seminar is a specialized training event focused on the professional growth of urban forestry and tree care businesses that are committed to sustainable tree care practices and enhancing Delaware’s urban forests. Attendees will gain insight into the latest arborist techniques, principles, and regulations, and how these contribute to the tree care industry and local communities. There will also be the opportunity to network with other forestry professionals. This seminar is not offered by any other Delaware organization, and it is the only one of its kind within the First State.

This year, it will be held at Delaware Park Raceway & Casino in Wilmington. Details are as follows:

Monday, April 7 – Tuesday, April 8, 2025
Delaware Park Raceway & Casino
777 Delaware Park Boulevard
Wilmington, DE 19804
7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The 2025 agenda will cover two full days. Tree experts will give presentations on topics including tree cabling and bracing, climbing techniques, structural tree pruning, tree removal strategies, invasive species mitigation, and native plant law. Attendees will be able to earn up to 11 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) from the International Society of Arboriculture and up to 5 Delaware pesticide credits – This represents the largest number of CEUs offered at a Delaware Forest Service event.  The cost is $125 for both days which includes breakfast and lunch.

2025 Featured Speakers

1. Mark Chisholm, Aspen Tree STHIL
2. Brian Kunkle, University of Delaware
3. Vinnie Cotrone, Penn State Extension
4. Trent Dicks, Arbor Jet
5. Thomas Whitelock, Advanced Arborist Solutions
6. Jim Savage, Penn State Extension
7. Dave Francis, American Arborist
8. Stephen Hauss, Delaware Department of Agriculture

One of the primary goals of the Delaware Forest Service’s Urban and Community Forestry program is to provide technical assistance and educational programming. The Delaware Forest Service’s annual Arborist and Tree Care Seminar is one of its largest educational events offered to arborists, by arborists. “By hosting this Arborist and Tree Care Seminar, the Delaware Forest Service will be providing an exciting opportunity for professionals in the tree care industry to expand their knowledge, enhance their skills, and refresh on the latest trends and best practices; ultimately contributing to a more sustainable future for our urban forests,” says Delaware Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry Coordinator, Taryn Davidson.

Vendor exhibits will be present throughout the event, providing further networking opportunities. Registration is open from now until April 7, and participants can choose to attend one or both days. Register here: 2025arboristseminar.eventbrite.com

For more information or if you are interested in becoming a sponsor, contact: taryn.davidson@delaware.gov

Delaware Forest Service Urges Caution on Outdoor Burning

DOVER, Del. (March 11, 2025)—Delaware’s ongoing drought and the current weather conditions the state has been experiencing have caused an uptick in wildfires in all three counties. Due to an elevated wildfire risk, the Delaware Forest Service urges all residents to refrain from outdoor burning.

Over the weekend, the National Weather Service, in collaboration with state wildfire supervisors, issued a special weather statement indicating an elevated fire risk due to dropping humidity levels and high winds across the region, including Delaware.

“Most people think of the summer as being the most dangerous time for wildfires, but in Delaware, the period of leaf drop in the fall and right now, when vegetation is dormant, and the fine fuel moisture is low, is when we see the most wildfires,” said State Forester Kyle Hoyd. “This is the worst I have seen for fine fuel issues in my 20 years with the Delaware Forest Service. Just last week, we fought a wildfire where there was crown torching on 30 to 50-foot-high trees. We need residents to take this request seriously for their safety, as well as their neighbors and their communities.”

Since vegetation is dormant, even with the rain that Delaware experienced last week, the grass, brush, and trees cannot absorb the water that they do later in spring, when green-up and growth occur. This dormancy creates a situation where grass, leaf litter, and pine needles can easily combust.

All of Delaware continues to be impacted by the drought. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, 46.4% of Delaware is in a moderate drought, with the remaining 53.6% experiencing severe drought conditions. Crown torching traditionally has not been a problem here in Delaware, but fire looks for available fuels. Trees went into dormancy last fall with a severe water shortage, and combined with low humidity levels throughout winter, have created another fuel source.

According to Delaware’s Wildland Fire Supervisor Sam Topper, “This is a phenomenon that the Northeast hasn’t experienced until just recently, and unfortunately, if this drought cycle doesn’t break soon, we are going to continue to see an increase in wildfire activity, and not just the surface fires we typically battle.”

From November 2024 through February 2025, Delaware has experienced more than 420 outdoor fires across the state. With expertise in wildland fire, the Delaware Forest Service engaged in 15 of these incidents. On average, from 2020 to 2023, the Delaware Forest Service responded to five wildfires a year but responded to 22 wildfires in 2024.

“With the increased response needed right now, we have staff on-call around the clock, maintaining equipment and responding to the scenes when our assistance is requested,” said Topper. “When you look at the increase in wildfire activity over the past five years, with the calls really hitting hard in 2024 and already high this year, there is a real concern on how our small staff can continue to operate at these levels state-wide. If this is the new norm, we need the Delaware Forest Service to be fully staffed and have updated working equipment to protect our staff in larger fires.”

Typically, wildfires in January and February have not escalated to the level where local fire companies seek out the expertise of the Delaware Forest Service. The experts are very concerned, as the peak spring wildfire season for Delaware is from mid-April to the beginning of May, and staff have already responded to two fires each month and four in March. These trends and the ongoing drought do not look to end anytime soon, necessitating warning residents and visitors about the safety concerns of burning outdoors.

Creating Defensible Space Around Your Home

The Delaware Forest Service encourages Delawareans to create a defensible space around their homes as a safety buffer from wildfires. The goal of defensible space is to slow or stop wildfire spread while protecting homes and providing firefighters with a safer area to fight wildfire.

Your Home to 5 Feet from the Furthest Point of the Structure:
• Clear the roof and gutters of dead leaves, pine needles, and debris.
• Replace or repair loose or missing shingles to prevent embers from gaining access to the roof.
• Remove any flammable materials, including mulch, flammable plants, leaves, pine needles, and firewood piles, from the home’s exterior walls.
• Prevent the build-up of combustible materials from collecting under stairs, decks, and porches.

Within 5 to 30 ft from Your Home:
• Remove vegetation under trees so a surface fire cannot reach the crowns of trees.
• Clear vegetation from under large stationary propane tanks.
• Keep lawns and native grasses mowed to a height of four inches.
• Ensure that when fully mature, no tree canopy is closer than 10 feet to the edge of a structure.
• Place trees and shrubs in small clusters to minimize the continuity of vegetation in the landscape.
• Utilize driveways, sidewalks, patios, and decks to create a fuel break.

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DOVER, Del. (January 21, 2025)—The Delaware Forest Service is now seeking entries for its annual Arbor Day Poster Contest, open to all K-

5 public, private, homeschool, after-school, and other organized youth groups. The annual Arbor Day Poster Contest is the largest contest of its kind in the State of Delaware, with 61 schools participating in 2024; it is designed to increase an appreciation and awareness of trees’ important role in our quality of life, communities, ecosystems, and our state. The Arbor Day Poster Contest is a fun way to celebrate Arbor Day with your students.

This year’s theme, “Trees are Terrific…and Color Our World!” is dedicated to the beauty and wonderment of trees. There are many species of trees, each with its own unique shape, size, and color. Trees are a source of inspiration and enrichment throughout the year, as their appearance changes with the seasons. Redbuds, dogwoods, and cherry trees bloom pink flowers in the spring. The red maple is known for its red flowers, red leaf stems (petioles), red seeds (samaras), and red leaves in the fall! The American beech can be appreciated for its grey bark throughout the year, and sweet gums’ leaves turn orange, red, yellow, and even purple in the fall. What will inspire you?

Posters will be judged on originality, use of theme, neatness, and artistic expression. Each winner receives a gift card, a tree-themed book, and a tree planting at their school. Twelve winners will be selected, one from each county, in four grade categories: kindergarten, grades 1 and 2, grades 3 and 4, and grade 5. All participating classes will receive free loblolly pine seedlings delivered to their school.

Teachers can register their classes to participate using the 2025 Arbor Day

Poster Contest – Google Form available at https://forms.gle/SzqFpbdZhQKoghG89.

Traditionally, the Governor and the 12 winners will be invited to the annual Statewide Arbor Day Celebration. This year, the Celebration will be held at Blackbird State Forest in Smyrna. While Delaware’s Official Arbor Day is Friday, April 25, the celebration will be held on May 2. A tree-planting ceremony will also be scheduled at each winner’s school to celebrate Arbor Day. This year, the teacher of each of the 12 poster winners will receive a “Tree Trunk” of outdoor learning resources. The deadline to register is March 7, with entries submitted by March 21.

Planting a tree is a fun activity we can enjoy today, knowing that the tree will continue to improve our lives over time. Trees planted throughout our communities not only provide beauty but help shade our streets and schoolyards and create habitat and food for wildlife. Trees planted today will benefit our communities tomorrow by improving air quality, serving as sound barriers, moderating air temperatures, reducing energy consumption, and filtering run-off into streams and rivers.

For more information, contact: (302) 698-4551, ashley.melvin@delaware.gov

DOVER, Del. (December 23, 2024)—The Delaware Prescribed Fire Council will host a “Learn & Burn” workshop to raise general awareness and support for prescribed fire. This free workshop will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday, January 31, 2025, at Redden State Forest, located at 18074 Redden Forest Drive, Georgetown, DE 19947.

“Demonstrating responsible use of fire is an important step in the Delaware Forest Service’s plan to increase public acceptance of prescribed fire as a tool to manage forested lands,” said Delaware Forest Service Wildland Fire Supervisor Sam Topper. “Through smoke management and weather monitoring, it is one of the least intrusive methods that we use in order to sustainably manage our forests in the state of Delaware.”

Prescribed fire provides many benefits to local ecosystems, such as the removal of invasive species and improved soil quality. During this workshop, participants will learn more about the ecological effects of prescribed fires and the factors we consider when planning and executing a prescribed burn. Presentations will be provided at the historic Redden Education Center on topics such as the legal considerations of prescribed fire, smoke management, and fire safety and preparation. Weather permitting, a live fire demonstration will also be held.

Registration is required due to space availability and an accurate lunch count. Register for free, online at https://tinyurl.com/43ndayvh