TOWNSEND, Del. (September 21, 2022) – On September 17, over 100 volunteers planted 2,075 trees at the Blackbird State Forest for the Harriet Tubman Bicentennial Tree Planting. This initiative will provide scenic beauty, enhance wildlife habitat, fight invasive species, and improve water quality in the critical Chesapeake Bay Watershed. This tree planting was part of a broader program to commemorate the 200th birthday year of Harriet Tubman in 1822 and part of International Underground Railroad Month.

“This tree planting event along with the guided hikes (held separately), generated a lot of interest and positive feedback for more programming like this from Delaware citizens. We were fortunate enough to partner in these events with a cultural interpretive guide Dionne Patterson (UGR3day Underground Railroad Experiences Inc.), DelDOT Byways Program, and the Underground Railroad Coalition of Delaware,” said Delaware Forest Service’s Urban and Community Forestry Coordinator Kesha Braunskill. “Our forestry staff did an outstanding job in preparing the site for the planting to take place. And volunteers from all over the state did an awesome job getting all the trees planted in under three hours. These planting events are great for community involvement, and everyone gets to see the fruits of their labor for years to come as they come back to see the forest they helped create.”

The planting project allowed the Delaware Forest Service to continue its goal of increasing tree canopy, as well as increasing the community’s knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of forests and forest management. Volunteers who assisted included teachers and students from various school groups, honor society students, Cub Scout and Boy Scout troops, and volunteers from Delaware’s Air Force Crew.

Blackbird State Forest covers nearly 6,000 acres in southern New Castle County and is a stop on the historic Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway. The project was funded by the U.S. Forest Service and its Chesapeake Bay Program and the Delaware Forest Service and its Urban and Community Program.

To find out how to get involved in future tree plantings or other tree-inspired programs, visit https://de.gov/treeevents.

More photographs are available on Flickr, https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjA7XEp

DOVER – DNREC will be presenting information on responsible crabbing practices, including prevention of derelict crab pots, as well as safe boating, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, June 27, in front of the Seaside Nature Center at Cape Henlopen State Park in Lewes. DNREC staff from the Division of Parks & Recreation, Division of Climate, Coastal, & Energy, and Division of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police will be joined by representatives from Delaware SeaGrant and University of Delaware, and the Delaware Division of the Arts.

Visitors will also be able to explore a new permanent outdoor exhibit that focuses on the impacts of marine debris along Delaware’s coast, specifically derelict crab pots. The exhibit includes a sculpture with educational signage located in front of Seaside Nature Center. Crab pots become derelict when they lose their buoy and can no longer be identified or located from the surface. This often occurs because of improper rigging, lines being cut by boat propellers, or severe storm events. Derelict crab pots pose a threat to blue crabs and other aquatic species, such as diamondback terrapins, which can become trapped and die in derelict pots.

The event is an opportunity for the public to learn more about how to properly rig crab pots for the summer crabbing season.

For more information about the event, please contact Nicole Rodi at 302-739-9283.To learn more about marine debris and derelict crab pots in Delaware please visit: https://perspectives.dnrec.delaware.gov/stories/s/Marine-Debris-Adrift-at-Sea/y7xa-pbsg

Contact: Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Vol. 49, No. 171

WILMINGTON – DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation and the Delaware Zoological Society have announced that new animal species, and new and updated exhibits, are now on display for visitors to the Brandywine Zoo.

“We are pleased that visitors can now enjoy all of the new animals, exhibit updates and renovations going on at the Brandywine Zoo, which are part of the zoo’s master plan,” said DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin. “Visiting the zoo is a cherished childhood memory for Delawareans and visitors alike. The 114-year tradition is ongoing, as new generations discover animals from around the world and become inspired to care and learn about the larger world and their role in it.”

The former otter pond exhibit has been transformed into a large goat contact area, where children of all ages can interact with the animals. The resident African pygmy goats were moved to the new exhibit, and have just met the Nubian newcomers, Harry and Lloyd. More goat breeds will be added in the coming months.

What was the zoo’s previous goat-petting area has been updated to house three new Bennett’s wallabies, also known as red-necked wallabies, in residence through the summer. Although not for petting, the wallabies serve as “ambassadors” to engage children in learning about species’ diversity and conservation. The new wallabies, Lulu, Mia and Jack, will remain at the zoo until the fall.

Two common ravens have moved into the large aviary they will share with the zoo’s American bald eagles. All of the birds in the exhibit are non-releasable because of health issues. Ravens resemble crows, but are much larger. The ravens, Kanga and Dichali, arrived from the National Zoo in Washington D.C., and will be permanent residents.

The zoo’s Nature Play Area has been completed, and includes a bird blind, ambassador animal exercise yard, a climb-through log, and an amphitheater that has become the focal site for animal presentation programs, storytime gatherings, concerts, and Zoo Kids activities.

“Appreciation and respect for animals, and acting to conserve wild habitats are top-tier learning objectives at the Brandywine Zoo, said Michael T. Allen, executive director of the Delaware Zoological Society. “The public can experience education programs and special events year-round at the zoo, and engage off-site with our Traveling Zoo programs, which visit schools, libraries and children’s hospitals.”

Other improvements for the season are in the works, including the new goat breeds and a new alligator exhibit, which is expected to open in a few days. Other species are expected to be added in the upcoming months.

The changes being made this year are to create a sense of excitement for visitors, and position the zoo for its first major exhibit – a new Madagascar exhibit, featuring several species of lemurs and radiated tortoises scheduled to open in 2020.

The Brandywine Zoo is home to Andean condors, llamas, bobcat, swift fox, serval, capybara, golden lion tamarin, red pandas, and many birds and reptiles.

About 50,000 people a year visit the Brandywine Zoo and take part in educational and social programs, and more than 15,000 children each year experience the Travelling Zoo program.

The Brandywine Zoo is managed by DNREC’s Division of Parks and Recreation with the support of the Delaware Zoological Society, a non-profit partner organization that supports the mission of the zoo.

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

Vol. 49, No. 109