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Delaware News


  Category: Forest Service


Delaware Forest Service awards volunteer fire grants

Department of Agriculture | Forest Service | Kent County | New Castle County | News | Sussex County | Date Posted: Monday, July 13, 2020

The Delaware Forest Service’s Volunteer Fire Assistance Grant Program has awarded more than $18,000 to six volunteer fire departments to help boost their capability and readiness to respond to wildfires.



2020 Urban and Community Forestry Grants

Department of Agriculture | Forest Service | Kent County | New Castle County | Sussex County | Date Posted: Tuesday, June 30, 2020

The Delaware Forest Service’s Urban and Community Grant Program has awarded more than $31,000 to fund nine community tree projects in all three counties. The program offers up to $5,000 in annual competitive matching grants for projects on public land and community open space, and grants are available to all municipalities, homeowner associations, and nonprofit organizations in the First State. Since the grant program began, Delaware’s urban and community forestry program has given over 575 grants totaling more than $1.75 million and planted more than 13,000 trees.



Forest Campsites and Redden Lodge to Stay Closed

Department of Agriculture | Forest Service | New Castle County | Sussex County | Date Posted: Friday, May 29, 2020

Effective June 1, outdoor gatherings of more than 25 people will be permitted at Delaware’s state forests, subject to compliance with the Division of Public Health’s “Guidance on Outdoor Gatherings.”

While the state’s ban on short-term rentals will be lifted on June 1, camping at Blackbird State Forest and Redden State Forest, as well as the Redden Lodge, will be closed to the public until further notice. Plans are underway to implement a new online, fee-based reservation system expected to be operational later this summer. There is no fixed date on the launch of the new system, which will include the addition of two new camp sites each at both Blackbird and Redden.

The new system will also handle advance bookings for the popular and historic Redden Lodge. Users can make camping and lodge reservations for future dates, receive electronic confirmations, and make payments and receive refunds via credit card.



Grants up to $4,500 for Volunteer Fire Departments

Department of Agriculture | Forest Service | Kent County | New Castle County | News | Sussex County | Date Posted: Monday, March 23, 2020

Delaware volunteer fire departments that respond to rural wildfires can apply for matching grants up to $4,500 from the Delaware Forest Service’s 2020 Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) Equipment Grant Program. Since its inception, the program has provided more than $350,000 to enhance wildfire response in the First State. The application deadline is Wednesday, May 13, with awardees notified by June 1. All requests must show a 50-50 match in either cash or in-kind services, such as volunteer hours spent on training or responding to field fires. Projects and purchases must be completed by August 1, 2020. For more information, contact Kyle Hoyd at (302) 698-4548 or Kyle.Hoyd@delaware.gov



Delaware agriculture critical to supplying consumers with food during COVID-19 outbreak

Department of Agriculture | Forest Service | News | Date Posted: Tuesday, March 17, 2020

DOVER, Del. – The Delaware Department of Agriculture continues to provide services to the public and industry to ensure that our food supply remains safe and plentiful for consumers during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak. “As Delaware’s number one industry, family farms are crucial to supplying a variety of food from poultry and meats, […]






  Category: Forest Service

Delaware Forest Service awards volunteer fire grants

Department of Agriculture | Forest Service | Kent County | New Castle County | News | Sussex County | Date Posted: Monday, July 13, 2020

The Delaware Forest Service’s Volunteer Fire Assistance Grant Program has awarded more than $18,000 to six volunteer fire departments to help boost their capability and readiness to respond to wildfires.



2020 Urban and Community Forestry Grants

Department of Agriculture | Forest Service | Kent County | New Castle County | Sussex County | Date Posted: Tuesday, June 30, 2020

The Delaware Forest Service’s Urban and Community Grant Program has awarded more than $31,000 to fund nine community tree projects in all three counties. The program offers up to $5,000 in annual competitive matching grants for projects on public land and community open space, and grants are available to all municipalities, homeowner associations, and nonprofit organizations in the First State. Since the grant program began, Delaware’s urban and community forestry program has given over 575 grants totaling more than $1.75 million and planted more than 13,000 trees.



Forest Campsites and Redden Lodge to Stay Closed

Department of Agriculture | Forest Service | New Castle County | Sussex County | Date Posted: Friday, May 29, 2020

Effective June 1, outdoor gatherings of more than 25 people will be permitted at Delaware’s state forests, subject to compliance with the Division of Public Health’s “Guidance on Outdoor Gatherings.”

While the state’s ban on short-term rentals will be lifted on June 1, camping at Blackbird State Forest and Redden State Forest, as well as the Redden Lodge, will be closed to the public until further notice. Plans are underway to implement a new online, fee-based reservation system expected to be operational later this summer. There is no fixed date on the launch of the new system, which will include the addition of two new camp sites each at both Blackbird and Redden.

The new system will also handle advance bookings for the popular and historic Redden Lodge. Users can make camping and lodge reservations for future dates, receive electronic confirmations, and make payments and receive refunds via credit card.



Grants up to $4,500 for Volunteer Fire Departments

Department of Agriculture | Forest Service | Kent County | New Castle County | News | Sussex County | Date Posted: Monday, March 23, 2020

Delaware volunteer fire departments that respond to rural wildfires can apply for matching grants up to $4,500 from the Delaware Forest Service’s 2020 Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) Equipment Grant Program. Since its inception, the program has provided more than $350,000 to enhance wildfire response in the First State. The application deadline is Wednesday, May 13, with awardees notified by June 1. All requests must show a 50-50 match in either cash or in-kind services, such as volunteer hours spent on training or responding to field fires. Projects and purchases must be completed by August 1, 2020. For more information, contact Kyle Hoyd at (302) 698-4548 or Kyle.Hoyd@delaware.gov



Delaware agriculture critical to supplying consumers with food during COVID-19 outbreak

Department of Agriculture | Forest Service | News | Date Posted: Tuesday, March 17, 2020

DOVER, Del. – The Delaware Department of Agriculture continues to provide services to the public and industry to ensure that our food supply remains safe and plentiful for consumers during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak. “As Delaware’s number one industry, family farms are crucial to supplying a variety of food from poultry and meats, […]