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

DOVER — The Delaware Forest Service’s Urban and Community Forestry Program will host its 11th annual Arborist and Tree Care Seminar on Feb. 23-24, 2026, at the Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library. As the only event of its kind in Delaware, this two-day seminar provides specialized professional development for arborists, urban forestry professionals, and tree care businesses dedicated to sustainable practices and the advancement of Delaware’s urban forests.

This event will deliver in-depth training on the latest arboriculture techniques, principles, and regulations, while offering participants opportunities to strengthen industry connections. The program reflects the Delaware Forest Service’s ongoing commitment to technical assistance and high-quality educational outreach.

“The Arborist and Tree Care Seminar is the only event of its kind in Delaware, exclusively offered by the Delaware Forest Service, where tree care professionals come together to learn together,” said Taryn Davidson, Urban and Community Forestry Coordinator for the Delaware Forest Service. “The seminar will focus on professional growth through topics such as tree health, safety, and best management practices. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn not only in a classroom setting, but also through hands-on demonstrations. This year’s program has been thoughtfully designed by arborists, for arborists.”

Two Full Days of Expert Instruction

The 2026 seminar features a comprehensive agenda with sessions led by top tree care and forestry experts. Presentations will include classroom instruction and hands-on outdoor demonstrations, covering:

• Tree Rigging
• Tree Climbing
• Plant Health Testing & Analysis
• Invasive vs. Non-Invasive Trees
• Chainsaw Safety and Operations

Attendees may earn up to 11.5 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) from the International Society of Arboriculture, as well as up to two Delaware pesticide credits.

Featured Speakers

• Mark Chisholm, Aspen Tree, STIHL
• Scott Sjolander, Master Arborist, Penn State Extension
• Jill Pollok, Plant Diagnostician, University of Delaware
• Pablo Oropeza, Regional Manager, Kendall Vegetation Services
• David Ruyak, Executive Director, International Society of Arboriculture, Penn-Dell Chapter
• Sam Topper, Wildland Fire Superintendent, Delaware Forest Service

Event Details

Dates: Monday, Feb. 23-Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026
 Location: Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library, 5105 Kennett Pike, Wilmington, DE 19807
 Time: 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
 Cost: $310 for both days (includes breakfast and lunch)

Vendor exhibits will be available throughout the event, offering additional networking and engagement opportunities.

Registration

Registration is open now through Sunday, Feb. 22. Participants may register for one or both days at: 2026arboristandtreecareseminar.eventbrite.com

For more information, or to inquire about sponsorship opportunities, contact: Taryn Davidson: taryn.davidson@delaware.gov

Tree Giveaways Also Planned for This Fall

Nine applicants will receive a combined $173,000 in funding from the Tree for Every Delawarean Initiative (TEDI) to plant 12,055 trees in the spring of 2026.

TEDI, which works with Delaware conservation partners, including the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) and the Department of Agriculture’s Delaware Forest Service aims to plant 1 million trees by 2030. To date, more than 350,000 trees have been planted by various partners across the state utilizing a multitude of funding sources.

“TEDI has a goal of a million trees for Delaware’s million residents because of everything they do for us,” said DNREC Secretary Greg Patterson. “From an environmental perspective, trees pull carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, which means they combat climate change. Trees in urban areas provide shade, reducing the heat island effect and lowering energy costs.”

Projects awarded funding include:

• Delaware Nature Society (Hockessin)
• Mount Cuba Center (Hockessin)
• Delaware Wild Lands, Inc. (Odessa)
• Delaware Center for the Inland Bays (Rehoboth Beach)
• Skyline Middle School (Red Clay Consolidated School District)
• West Park Place Elementary School (Christina School District)
• Friends of Bellevue State Park (Wilmington)
• University of Delaware (Newark)
• Village of Ardentown (New Castle County)

Robert “Blake” Moore of the University of Delaware Cooperative Extension said the funding will help advance the organization’s Kranz Farm food forest tree project.

“That project will support a variety of wildlife, as well as provide water quality and climate carbon sequestration and storage benefits,” he said.

In addition to funding the tree-planting projects, the TEDI program will also fund nine giveaways this fall in an effort to deliver a total of 2,250 trees directly to Delaware residents in all three counties. Event dates and locations are posted on the de.gov/tedi webpage and on DNREC’s Calendar of Events, hosted by the following partners:

• Sept. 20: University of Delaware Cooperative Extension (Milford)
• Sept. 26: New Castle County (Glasgow Regional Park)
• Oct. 3: New Castle County (Rockwood Park)
• Oct. 11: Delaware Botanic Gardens (Dagsboro)
• Oct. 11: Kent Conservation District (Dover)
• Oct. 11: New Castle Conservation District (Newark)
• Oct. 11: Sussex Conservation District (Georgetown)
• Oct. 18: DNREC Blackbird Creek Fall Festival (Townsend)
• Nov. 1: City of Dover (Dover)

Additional funding opportunities, as well as a list of nurseries that carry native trees, tips on tree care and a tree tracker can be found by visiting de.gov/tedi webpage. Delawareans can help TEDI reach its goal by adding details about newly planted trees on their property into the TEDI tracker.

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 Climate, Coastal and Energy uses science, education, policy development and incentives to address Delaware’s climate, energy and coastal challenges. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter) or LinkedIn.

Media Contact: Michael Globetti, Michael.globetti@delaware.gov or Jim Lee, JamesW.Lee@delaware.gov

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