LAUREL – The DNREC Division of Watershed Stewardship’s Reclaim Our River Program – Nanticoke Series, in partnership with the Delaware Nature Society’s Abbott’s Mill Nature Center, and the Nanticoke Watershed Alliance, will host two free presentations in March on saving the monarch butterfly, gardening for butterflies, and the importance of clean water.

The presentations will address the monarch butterfly population’s decline of more than 90 percent worldwide over the past 20 years. This is a critical environmental loss, since flowering plants depend on pollinators, including butterflies, to reproduce. Pollinators enable flowering plants to purify water and prevent erosion, through roots that hold the soil in place, and provide foliage that buffers the impact of rain.

On March 2, butterfly enthusiast Mike McFarlin of Milton will speak about his efforts to help repopulate Delaware’s monarch butterfly population, by raising hundreds of them each summer. In addition, he will explain how attendees can volunteer as stewards, and adopt an area of land that supports pollinator habitat.

The second presentation, on March 30, will be led by Alice Mohrman of the Delaware Nature Society’s Abbott’s Mill Nature Center and focus on gardening for butterflies. She will also provide tips on how to landscape yards with attractive native plants that support wildlife habitat, and help reduce waterway pollution.

A limited number of free milkweed seeds will be available to participants, along with information on activities that support clean water. Attendees also will learn about the 2020 Reclaim Our River–Nanticoke Series, which offers numerous opportunities to learn techniques for keeping local waterways clean. Participants are encouraged to arrive early.

Both presentations will begin at 6 p.m. at the Laurel Library, located at 101 East 4th Street, Laurel, DE 19956.

For more information about the presentations, contact Alice Mohrman at 302-422-0847, or alice@delawarenaturesociety.org. For more information on the Reclaim Our River Program, contact Philip Miller at 302-608-5468, or Philip.miller@delaware.gov.

Contact: Phil Miller, DNREC Division of Watershed Stewardship Nonpoint Source Program, 302-608-5468, philip.miller@delaware.gov

SEAFORD – DNREC’s Division of Watershed Stewardship and the Reclaim Our River (ROR) Program, in partnership with the Delaware Nature Society and the Nanticoke Watershed Alliance, will host a free presentation on “Gardening for Clean Water and Butterflies” at 6 p.m. Monday, March 26 at the Seaford Library, 600 North Market Street Extended, Seaford, DE 19973.

Over the last 20 years, the monarch butterfly population worldwide has declined by 90 percent – a critical environmental loss. Plants depend on pollinators like the monarch butterfly for reproducing and natural abundance. Flowering plants in turn help purify water, and help prevent erosion through roots that hold soil in place and foliage that buffers the impact of rain as it falls to the earth.

Presenter Alice Mohrman, from the Delaware Nature Society’s Abbotts Mill Nature Center, will introduce participants to the life history of a variety of native butterflies and pollinators, and focus on how to invite pollinators, birds, and butterflies to your yard, deck, patio, or balcony. Mohrman will offer tips on landscaping yards large and small with attractive native plants to support wildlife habitat while also helping to reduce pollution in our waterways. She also will demonstrate a few easy steps toward creating a Certified Wildlife Habitat.

A limited amount of free milkweed seeds – which can be grown into attractive monarch habitat – will be available to those attending the presentation. Participants also will receive information on activities that support clean water and learn about this year’s 2018 ROR-Nanticoke Series, which again offers numerous opportunities to have fun around the water and learn techniques for keeping our waterways clean.

For more information about the presentation, please contact Alice Mohrman at 302-422-0847 or alice@delawarenaturesociety.org.

For more information on the Reclaim Our River Program, please contact Philip Miller at 302-739-9939 or Philip.miller@delaware.gov

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Dover — Eighteen Delaware urban agriculture and community garden projects are receiving support through a second round of funding designed to strengthen communities and improve nutrition.

The partnerships that have developed at the local and state around urban agriculture and community gardening have really helped to transform Delaware communities. The grants awarded this year totaled $27,671.74, with $17,671.74 from Delaware Department of Agriculture. New Castle Conservation District pledged the additional $10,000 match for New Castle County sites.

“We are extremely grateful for these grants,” said Mary Steppi a volunteer with Elsmere Community Garden who received a grant last year. “These gardens fill a niche by providing fresh produce to people who do not have transportation to farmers’ markets. Our garden serves young and old, long-time residents, and a diverse mix of families. It really brings the community together, encourages people to get out and get active and meet people while giving back to the neighborhood.”

This year’s recipients include community groups, religious institutions, schools, and other organizations. The funds for these projects will help purchase supplies, seeds, plants, and minor equipment to enhance current projects or new initiatives.

This year’s recipients include:
>Department of Children, Youth and Their Families, Wilmington, $2,000
>William Penn High School, New Castle, $2,000
>Boys & Girls Clubs of Delaware – New Castle County, $1,000
>Connections CSP, Inc., Wilmington, $2,000
>Duffy’s Hope Inc., Wilmington, $2,000
>Conscious Connection Inc., Wilmington, $2,000
>Lombardy Parent Teacher Association (PTA), $2,000
>City of Delaware City, Delaware City, $1,000
>Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Wilmington, $2,000
>Resurrection Parish, Wilmington, $2,000
>Freire Charter School Wilmington, Wilmington, $2,000
>St. Marks United Methodist Church, Wilmington, $2,000
>Wesley College and Restoring Central Dover Community Garden, $1,000
>Boys & Girls Clubs of Delaware – Kent County, $1,000
>Dover First Christian School, Dover, $671.74
>LEADelaware Class IV/Kent Community Gardens, Milford, $1,000
>Boys & Girls Clubs of Delaware – Sussex County, $1,000
>Rehoboth Art League, Rehoboth Beach, $1,000

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Media Contact: Stacey Hofmann, 302-698-4542, stacey.hofmann@delaware.gov

SEAFORD – DNREC’s Division of Watershed Stewardship’s Reclaim Our River (ROR) Program, in partnership with the Delaware Nature Society’s Abbott’s Mill Nature Center and the Nanticoke Watershed Alliance, will host a free presentation on “Gardening for Clean Water and Butterflies” at 6 p.m. Monday, March 20 at the Seaford Library, 600 North Market Street Extended, Seaford, DE 19973.

Over the last 20 years, the monarch butterfly population worldwide has declined by 90 percent – a critical environmental loss since plants depend on pollinators like butterflies to reproduce. Pollinators enable flowering plants to reproduce so they can help purify water and prevent erosion through roots that hold the soil in place and foliage that buffers the impact of rainfall.

“ROR partnership members will share information on activities that support clean water, and a limited supply of milkweed seeds will be available,” said Philip Miller, DNREC Division of Watershed Stewardship, Nonpoint Source Program. “Participants also will learn about this year’s 2017 ROR-Nanticoke Series, which again offers numerous opportunities to have fun around the water and learn surefire techniques for helping keep our waterways clean.”

The presentation will be led by Alice Mohrman from the Delaware Nature Society’s Abbott’s Mill Nature Center, and will focus on gardening for clean water and butterflies. Ms. Mohrman will introduce participants to the life history of a variety of native butterflies and pollinators, and focus on how to invite these beneficial insects to a yard, deck, patio or balcony. Tips on landscaping properties, big or small, with attractive native plants to support butterfly habitat will also help reduce pollution in our local waterways. Ms. Mohrman also will share a few easy steps toward creating a Certified Wildlife HabitatTM.

For more information about on the presentation, please contact Alice Mohrman at 302-422-0847 or alice@delawarenaturesociety.org. For more information on the Reclaim Our River Program, please contact Philip Miller at 302-739-9939 or philip.miller@delaware.gov.

The Reclaim Our River – Nanticoke Series is devoted to bringing monthly events, workshops and recreational activities to the Nanticoke Watershed. The series offers participants fun opportunities to connect with Delaware’s waterways and provides important information on water quality that can help in protecting aquatic resources.

Contact: Philip Miller, DNREC Division of Watershed Stewardship Nonpoint Source Program, 302-739-9939, or philip.miller@delaware.gov.

Vol. 47, No. 55

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