Arbor Day Poster Contest for Grades K to 5

Delaware Forest Service Arbor Day Poster Contest

2020 theme is “Trees Are Terrific…in Many Wonderful Ways!”

DOVER, Del. — To celebrate Arbor Day in the First State, the Delaware Forest Service is once again holding its annual “Arbor Day School Poster Contest” for students in grades K to 5 from all Delaware public, private, home school, after-school, and other organized youth groups. Winning posters will be selected from each of the three counties in the following categories: kindergarten, grades 1 and 2, grades 3 and 4, and grade 5. The twelve winners will be recognized at the annual Statewide Arbor Day Celebration hosted by Governor Carney! A tree planting ceremony will also be scheduled at each winner’s school to celebrate Arbor Day.

The poster contest is designed to increase student knowledge about forests and forest resources. For teachers, the poster contest can be an ideal way for students to learn more about the role of trees in our communities and their direct impact on Delawareans’ health and well-being. The schoolyard is a perfect setting to incorporate the role of trees into your everyday curriculum. Trees not only provide beauty, shade, and habitat and food for wildlife, they also improve air quality, muffle noise, moderate air temperatures, filter runoff into streams and rivers, and reduce energy consumption.

2019 Theme

“Trees Are Terrific…in Many Wonderful Ways!”

Criteria

Posters will be judged on originality, use of theme, neatness, and artistic expression.

Classroom Resources

Teachers can access the shared google folder for the 2020 Poster Guidelines and Rules, Curriculum Guide and additional resources.

Free Seedlings

All participating classes receive free loblolly pine seedlings delivered to their schools, just in time to celebrate Arbor Day!

Registration Link:

2020 Arbor Day Poster Contest Registration and Seedling Request

Questions:

Ashley Melvin, Delaware Forest Service – (302) 698-4551

ashley.melvin@delaware.gov

Dates to Remember:

  • Deadline to register and reserve free seedlings: March 9
  • Deadline to submit posters for state contest: April 1
  • Arbor Day in Delaware: April 24
  • Seedling delivery: mid-April

In 2019, the Delaware Forest Service hosted its annual Arbor Day Ceremony at Dover’s Schutte Park, honoring its school poster contest winners and recognizing Dover’s 30th Year as the First State’s longest-running Tree City USA. The event culminated with the planting of more than 30 large trees at six locations, including a zelkova on the historic Green on State Street. Delaware State University also held its Arbor Day event and celebrated its 8th consecutive year as Delaware’s only certified Tree Campus USA, followed by a ceremonial tree planting on campus.

Check out more from the 2019 Arbor Day  photos on Flickr or at the Delaware Forest Service Facebook Page

Each poster contest winner received a tree-themed book and a print reproduction of their poster on fine art canvas. Thanks to corporate sponsor Delmarva Power, a free tree planting ceremony will also be held at each winner’s school. In addition, every participating classroom receives free pine seedlings for all participants. Once again this year, students from the Middletown High School FFA Chapter and senior volunteers from the Modern Maturity Center in Dover are wrapping thousands of seedlings to distribute to schoolchildren statewide. Check out the previous year’s winners:

For more information, email: Ashley Melvin

Arbor Day observances are also an integral part of community recognition programs such as Tree Campus USA, Tree City USA, and Delaware’s Tree Friendly Community Award, as well as qualifying for a financial award from the Urban Grant Program.

Past Delaware Arbor Day celebrations:

 


‘Take a Kid Fishing!’ upcoming dates announced by DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife

Registration open for June-July events in Smyrna, Dover, Georgetown

DOVER – Do you know a child or young teen who might enjoy learning about fishing and delight in having the opportunity to catch a fish? DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife invites budding anglers age 6 through 15 to come out and learn to fish with a parent/guardian on three upcoming “Take a Kid Fishing!” dates.

“Take a Kid Fishing!” events will be held on the following dates:

  • 9 a.m.-noon, Wednesday, June 21, Aquatic Resources Education Center, Smyrna
  • 5-7:30 p.m., Thursday, July 13, Silver Lake Park, Dover
  • 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Saturday, July 15, Redden State Forest, Georgetown

To ensure enough supplies are on hand for these free programs, pre-registration is required. To pre-register for “Take a Kid Fishing!”, or for more information about the program or about volunteering as an instructor, please email Mary Rivera at mary.rivera@delaware.gov.

“Take a Kid Fishing!” teaches young people fundamental fishing skills and conservation concepts including catch-and-release. Along with the angling experience, these free-admission fishing days also feature activity stations and prizes. Fishing equipment is provided, but participants may want to pack a picnic.

Grandparents, parents, or others age 16 and older who wish to fish with “Take a Kid Fishing!” participants must have a current Delaware fishing license and a Delaware Fisherman Information Network (FIN) number. The free number is included as part of a Delaware fishing license purchase. License-exempt anglers, including Delaware residents 65 and older, may visit www.delaware-fin.com or call 800-432-9228 toll-free to obtain their free FIN number.

A resident annual Delaware recreational fishing license, which covers fresh and tidal waters as well as crabbing and clamming, costs $8.50 for ages 16 through 64. Persons under the age of 16 and residents age 65 and older are not required to purchase fishing licenses in Delaware, although exempt persons may purchase fishing licenses if they choose to help support fisheries management efforts. Delaware fishing licenses are sold online, at the licensing desk in DNREC’s Richardson & Robbins Building, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901, and by license agents statewide. To find a participating agent, or to purchase a license online, visit Delaware Licenses. For more information on Delaware fishing licenses, call 302-739-9918.

For more information on fishing in Delaware, click on the 2017 Delaware Fishing Guide. The guide also is available in printed form at DNREC’s Dover licensing desk, and from license agents throughout the state.

“Take a Kid Fishing!” is sponsored by the Division of Fish & Wildlife’s Aquatic Resources Education Center, with host sites provided by DNREC’s Divisions of Fish & Wildlife and Parks & Recreation, the Delaware Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service and the City of Dover Parks and Recreation. Some of the fishing tackle for these events has been donated by Cabela’s at Christiana Mall.

Media contact: Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.

Vol. 47, No. 136

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DNREC’s Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police to host 31st Annual Youth Fishing Tournament June 3

Tournament marks the start of National Fishing & Boating Week June 3-11; entry forms online

DOVER – As part of activities for National Fishing and Boating Week, June 3-11, DNREC’s Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police will hold its 31st Annual Youth Fishing Tournament from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, June 3 at Ingrams Pond in Millsboro, Akridge Scout Reservation in Camden and at the dog training area of Lums Pond State Park in Bear. This is the first year the new Akridge Scout Reservation’s pond has been the tournament’s Kent County site.

The tournament is open to youths ages 4 through 15. An adult must accompany youths under age 12 and contestants must bring their own fishing equipment. Prizes will be awarded at 1:30 p.m. in three age groups: 4-7, 8-11 and 12-15. The tournament is free and open to the public. Participants are asked to arrive before 10 a.m. to register for the tournament.

The tournament was established to introduce youth to the sport of fishing and to teach the catch-and-release approach to conservation.

“Since the tournament’s first year in ‘86, this event has grown tremendously and has exposed more than 200 youths each year to sport fishing,” said Lt. John McDerby of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police, which sponsors the tournament.DE F&W Natural Resources Police logo

In addition to the fishing tournament celebrating National Fishing and Boating Week, DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife has designated June 3 and 4 as free fishing days when anyone may fish in Delaware waters without a fishing license.

Anglers are reminded that even though they don’t need a license to fish on those two days, those who are age 16 and older are still required to obtain a free Fisherman Identification Network (F.I.N.) number, available online at www.delaware-fin.com or by calling 1-800-432-9228. Anglers also are required to comply with Delaware’s fishing regulations, including size and daily catch limits.

For more information on the Youth Fishing Tournament, including the registration form, please call 302-739-9913 or click 2017 Youth Fishing Tournament.

Follow Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police on Facebook, www.facebook.com/pages/Delaware-Fish-Wildlife-Natural-Resources-Police.

Follow Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police on Twitter, https://twitter.com/DE_FW_NRPolice.

Media contact: Lt. John McDerby, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police, 302-739-9913 or 302-354-1386, or Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.

Vol. 47, No. 121

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Delaware State Parks launches new Children in Nature initiative with monthly outdoor themes

DOVER – In an effort to encourage more Delaware children to enjoy the outdoors and outdoor-related activity year-round, the Delaware Children in Nature Coalition, of which DNREC is a member, will highlight an “Outdoor Theme of the Month” beginning in January 2017. Using the Delaware Children in Nature Outdoor Bill of Rights as a template, an “Outdoor Right,” or theme, will be selected each month.

The Delaware Children in Nature Bill of Rights is a list of 10 “Outdoor Rights” – which will be used as themes for each month. The themes will include: “Go Outside and Play,” “Climb a Tree,” “Plant a Seed,” “Catch a Fish,” and others. The theme for January corresponds with the kickoff of the entire 10-month initiative, “Go Outside and Play.”

“The goal of this initiative is to engage children with their surroundings by providing meaningful outdoor experiences and promoting healthy lifestyles through outdoor activity,” said DNREC Children in Nature Coordinator Angel Burns. “The Delaware Children in Nature Coalition sees Delaware as a leader in environmental education for Delaware’s youth.”

Events and themes will be announced on the Delaware Children in Nature Facebook page and the Children in Nature Twitter page (@DelawareCIN) where the public is invited to “like” and “follow.” The initiative will continue until October 2017, which is Children in Nature Month. A list of themes and their corresponding months can be found at dnrec.alpha.delaware.gov/children-in-nature/.

The Children in Nature Coalition began as a partnership between DNREC, the Department of Education and Nemours Health and Wellness. DNREC is an active member in the coalition. The coalition welcomes the community, businesses and other organizations to participate in the statewide initiative to get children outdoors and in nature.

Organizations or groups that have existing programs that connect with healthy outdoor activity and getting outside, or an educational program involving Children in Nature, can learn more about joining the coalition by contacting Angel Burns at 302-893-2413 or angel.burns@delaware.gov.

Media Contact: Beth Shockley, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Vol. 46, No. 429


“Children in Nature Prescription for Health” launched

Prescription for HealthDOVER – October is “Children in Nature Month,” and to celebrate, the Delaware Children in Nature Coalition is launching a new statewide outdoor activity program for kids – “Children in Nature Prescription for Health.”

More than 3,000 “Prescription for Health” cards have been distributed so far in communities throughout the state. They are being offered in schools, doctors’ offices and other organizations and businesses that take part in the state’s Children in Nature Coalition. Kids pick up the “prescription” cards, which list numerous healthy activities and where those activities are being offered. Children who participate in the activities fill in their cards and are then eligible to win free prizes in a monthly drawing. The activities are free of charge.

The program will remain in effect beyond Children in Nature month,  and new cards will be available at any time.

The Delaware Children in Nature Coalition is a group of more than 19 partner organizations, including DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation, that are Delaware’s leaders in child health and welfare, and environmental education. The coalition identifies and promotes outdoor programs and activities designed to get children to participate in outdoor activities.

Children in Nature Month was first declared by Governor Markell in 2014. That year, more than 219,000 kids and families took part in programs at 16 sites across the state. That number increased to more than 228,000 at 31 sites last year. This year, more than 40 programs have taken place throughout October in all regions of the state. The Children in Nature initiative provides meaningful outdoor experiences and promotes healthy lifestyles for children.

For more information, or to download a “Prescription for Health” card, visit dnrec.alpha.delaware.gov/children-in-nature/, or call Franchesca Garland, Delaware State Parks, 302-739-9221.