WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney has ordered Delaware flags to be lowered to half-staff at all state facilities through sunset on Saturday, April 20, 2024, to honor former Senator Robert Marshall, a lifelong Delawarean and longtime public servant on the day of his interment.

“Tracey and I were saddened to hear about the passing of Senator Robert Marshall. He was an inspiration for public servants – serving 40 years in the State Senate and not once forgetting the folks he represented in Legislative Hall. I worked closely with the Senator for many years in Dover when I served as President of the Senate. He was always organized labor’s top advocate. He championed efforts to increase Delaware’s minimum wage, including advocating to increase the wage to $15 an hour. I was glad to implement his “work a day, earn a pay” concept as Governor, giving the unemployed an opportunity to go to work by cleaning up litter along Delaware roadways. Senator Marshall was also a tireless advocate for the elderly, capping of his work with Eagles Law which put standards for long-term care facilities in place. Senator Marshall will have a lasting impact on Legislative Hall and the City of Wilmington, and we are thinking of his family, friends, and community during this difficult time. Senator Marshall was truly one of a kind.”

DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin, left, works with a colleague to plant another tree in the Tree for Every Delawarean Initiative whose goal is to get 1 million trees planted in the First State by 2023 /DNREC photo

Seven New Projects Will Add 35,000 Trees to Take Total Planted Thus Far into the Initiative Beyond 200,000 by End of 2024

The Tree for Every Delawarean Initiative (TEDI) is making significant progress toward the goal of planting 1 million trees by 2030. The initiative has awarded funding to seven new projects, which will push the total count beyond 200,000 trees this year.

Through TEDI, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control and the Department of Agriculture’s Delaware Forest Service works with conservation partners to enhance and support tree-planting projects throughout the state.

“Along with transitioning to clean energy sources, increased energy efficiency and clean transportation initiatives, TEDI is a key component of Delaware’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gases in our atmosphere,” said DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin. “Trees improve air and water quality, preserve soil and support wildlife, and they play a critical role in helping to fight climate change.”

The seven newly funded projects, which were selected from among 15 applications, will receive a combined $238,500 for planting 35,000 trees.

The projects that received funding are located throughout the state of Delaware, from Frankford to Wilmington. They involve a range of organizations, including nonprofits, towns and schools. Project recipients and project locations include:

• Center for the Inland Bays in Georgetown and Lewes
• City of Newark along the Pomeroy Trail bike path
• Delaware Interfaith Power and Light for planting in Newark and Wilmington
• Delaware Technical Community College across its campuses
• Delaware Wild Lands in Middletown and Frankford
• St. Anne’s Episcopal School in Middletown
• Village of Ardencroft for planting in New Castle County

In fiscal year 2023, a total of 10,845 trees were planted on approximately 27 acres using TEDI funds. The 2023 TEDI annual report can be found on the DNREC website.

Additional funding opportunities, as well as a list of nurseries that carry native trees, tips on tree care, and a TEDI tree tracker can be found by visiting de.gov/tedi. Delawareans can help TEDI reach its goal by adding details about newly planted trees on their property into the 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 Contacts: Jim Lee, JamesW.Lee@delaware.gov; Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov

###

DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation Open Space Program Planner Kerri Batrowny, Open Space Program Council member Lorraine Fleming, Division Director Ray Bivens, DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin, President of Friends of White Clay Creek State Park David Koppeser and Gov. John Carney celebrate the addition of 275 acres to White Clay Creek State Park./DNREC photo.

Gov. John Carney and Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Secretary Shawn M. Garvin today celebrated and hiked newly acquired land that expands White Clay Creek State Park in Newark. This expansion of the nearly 3,650-acre park marks a historic environmental investment to enhance recreational opportunities, bolster wildlife habitats, and preserve additional open spaces in New Castle County.

Three new land acquisitions will add 275 acres, or the equivalent to 7.5% of White Clay Creek State Park land holdings. The acquisition of properties is progressing in three phases:

• Phase 1: about 90 acres – Acquisition completed in September 2023.
• Phase 2: about 97 acres – Acquisition completed in January 2024
• Phase 3: about 88 acres – Acquisition anticipated mid-2024

The $26 million in acquisitions is being funded by multiple sources, including:

• The Open Space Program – $20 million from Fiscal Year 2023; the usual annual allocation to the program is $10 million.
• Mt. Cuba Center with The Conservation Fund – $6 million
• The Acres for America Program – $500,000

“I have no doubt that our award-winning state parks are a real reason folks decide to call Delaware home. That’s why it’s important we continue to invest in our parks, especially those near the most densely populated areas, including White Clay Creek State Park,” said Governor Carney. “It’s on all of us to preserve this land for future generations. I want to thank the public servants at the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control who helped make this expansion possible through our Open Space program. I also want to thank Mt. Cuba Center, The Conservation Fund and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Acres for America program for their partnership.”

The acquisition of these three properties aligns with the White Clay Creek State Park Master Plan, which emphasizes keeping the park natural and maximizing its nearly 40-mile trail system. The expansion of the park underscores Delaware’s dedication to preserving natural resources.

“Delaware is not able to create more land. The opportunity to preserve this much land in New Castle County is one-of-a-kind,” said DNREC Secretary Garvin. “The newly acquired land meets all the criteria for a high-quality habitat, connects to existing park land, including surrounding parks and open spaces, and will provide more areas for people to walk and recreate. As part of the Delaware State Parks system, this land will receive the high caliber of environmental stewardship the DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation is known for.”

The additional land also increases the potential to attract rare species to northern Delaware, such as the Northern Parula warbler and Northern Harrier hawk, the Bridle shiner (a species of minnow), Longtail salamanders and the federally endangered Northern Long-Eared Bat.

The entire White Clay Creek Watershed is part of the National Park Service’s designated Wild and Scenic Rivers System. The three property acquisitions further protect this watershed, including the water quality of Middle Run Creek and its connecting bodies of water. White Clay hosts a variety of ecosystems including wooded uplands, freshwater wetlands, open meadows and steep stream valleys.

When the Open Space Program was created in 1990, there were 669,063 residents living among Delaware’s 1.6 million acres. Delaware’s population now stands at just over 1 million residents and continues to grow.

From 1990 to date, the Open Space Program has protected 65,819 acres. The program has spent $294 million dollars of state money and leveraged $109 million from public and private partnerships. Landowners who wish to conserve their land through Delaware’s Open Space Program may go to de.gov/openspace to learn more.

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. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter) or LinkedIn.

Media Contacts: Shauna McVey, shauna.mcvey@delaware.gov; Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov

###

NEW CASTLE (March 19, 2024) – The Delaware Department of Health and Social Services and Governor John Carney announced additional investments in child care for the upcoming year.

Building on the Governor’s Recommended Budget, which proposes expanding eligibility for Purchase of Care to 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) and creating over 200 additional ECAP seats, the State will be taking the following actions this year:

• Cap family co-payments at 7% of family income and remove all co-pays for families below 150% of the federal poverty level, ensuring families will pay less out of pocket for child care.
• Increase compensated absence days from five to 10, providing child care centers and homes with additional stability and predictability in their budgets.

When combined with the proposed investments in the Governor’s Recommended Budget, these actions will help more families pay for child care.

“We know how critical the first five years of a child’s life are to future academic and career success,” said Governor John Carney. “Investing in our youngest learners has been a priority of ours from day one, and these investments further that commitment. I want to thank our child care providers for all they do every day to set our children up for future success.”

Since 2017, the administration has more than doubled investments in Purchase of Care and the Early Childhood Assistance Program (ECAP). The Governor’s Recommended Budget for Fiscal Year 2025 proposes investing $83 million in Purchase of Care, compared to $32 million in 2017 and $15.7 million in ECAP, compared to $6.1 million in 2017.

“From birth to 5, the first 1,825 days of a child’s life pave a foundation for the future. That’s why it is essential to support early education with policy and investments – it’s not only good for our kids, but also for our child care workforce and our state’s economy. Affordable child care is a necessity for families. These investments in Delaware’s early education sector show our commitment to families, providers, and the strength of our state,” said Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long.

In addition to these investments, the State worked to keep child care providers open by investing more than $100 million during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are thankful for these additional investments which will help support our youngest Delawareans and families,” said Division of Social Services Director Tom Hall. “These program enhancements are a result of conversations and feedback with families, providers, and our federal partners. These investments will help make the purchase of care program more accessible and give providers the boost they need.”

For more information on child care, visit Delaware’s Child Care Consumer Education Website at https://www.mychildde.org/.

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney on Tuesday announced a call for applications for the Governor’s Summer Fellowship Program for Delaware high school students.

This is the third year of the Governor’s Summer Fellowship Program. The Governor’s Summer Fellowship Program provides paid camp counselor opportunities for Delaware high school seniors and juniors. Along with real-world experience, fellows will receive paid work opportunities at community-based summer camps in each county and the ability to network with state leaders and elected officials.

“There’s nothing more important than making sure that all Delaware children have the chance to excel,” said Governor Carney. “The Summer Fellows will gain paid work opportunities and valuable life experiences while helping their communities on critical issues, including literacy support. I’m looking forward to meeting with the incoming class and encourage all interested students to apply. Thanks to the Department of Education and the United Way of Delaware for their coordination on this project.”

Summer Fellows will gain real-world experience in education, community, and State Government as well as receive academic credit for their participation in the program.

“This program has proven for the past two years to be a win-win,” said Secretary of Education Mark Holodick. “It offers meaningful work experience for our high school students that I hope also encourages them to pursue a career in education. At the same time, it provides our community partners with the staffing they need to host engaging and enriching summer programs for our younger students.”

“The Governor’s Summer Fellowship Program offers an unparalleled opportunity for Delaware’s high school students to embark on a journey of growth and discovery,” said Dr. Michelle A. Taylor, President and CEO of United Way of Delaware. “As young leaders, participants will immerse themselves in real-world experiences, working alongside decision-makers to drive positive change in our communities. This prestigious program not only equips students with invaluable skills and insights but also empowers them to make a tangible impact on the academic achievement gap. I wholeheartedly endorse this program and urge all eligible students to seize this opportunity for personal and community advancement.”

Applications for the Governor’s Summer Fellowship Program will be accepted on a rolling basis starting today, March 19, 2024. Prospective fellows must be committed to working for the duration of the program which runs from June 17, 2024, until August 11, 2024.

Students interested can apply today at de.gov/summerfellow.