Presenting the check, left to right: Howell Wallace of the Mid-Del Foundation, Tim Riley of the Kent Conservation District, and Andy Burger of the Mid-Del Foundation.

HARRINGTON – The Kent Conservation District recently received a Mid-Del Foundation grant in support of the annual Delaware Envirothon, an environmental education challenge sponsored by the Delaware Association of Conservation Districts (DACD), in which teams of Delaware high school students compete for scholarships and awards. DACD partners with DNREC’s Division of Watershed Stewardship, working with landowners and managers to implement agricultural and urban/suburban conservation plans.

The Kent Conservation District was among 29 local organizations receiving grants from the Mid-Del Foundation, the charitable arm for Harrington Raceway and Casino, at the foundation’s 17th annual grant luncheon on Nov. 12 in the casino’s gold room.

During the Delaware Envirothon, five-member teams test their practical knowledge and application of environmental science in the categories of aquatic ecology, forestry, soils/land-use, wildlife, air quality, and a current environmental issue, along with their public speaking skills. The state champion team goes on to represent Delaware in national competition. The Envirothon’s goals include:

• Promoting environmental awareness and stewardship;
• Developing students’ critical thinking, cooperative problem solving, and decision-making skills;
• Presenting balanced options for management of our renewable and non-renewable natural resources; and
• Providing awareness of and accessibility to resource organizations offering assistance in environmental issues.

For more information about the Delaware Envirothon, please visit www.delawareenvirothon.org or contact Rick Mickowski at 302-365-8979.

The Mid-Del Foundation supports organizations and activities involving agricultural, civic, and social needs in Delaware. Established to consolidate the charitable undertakings of Harrington Raceway, Inc., the Mid-Del Foundation has awarded nearly $1.4 million in grants since 2002.

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

Vol. 48, No. 326

DOVER – The fourth and final open house to gather public input on creating a master plan for the future of White Clay Creek State Park in Newark will be held 4-7 p.m., Monday Aug. 20, at Deerfield, 507 Thompson Station Road, Newark, DE 19711.

DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin announced in May that DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation is beginning the process of creating a master plan for the future of the park and will be holding four open houses this summer to gather public input before a plan is drafted.

The Aug. 20 open house will focus on current and future recreational opportunities in the park, seeking public input on topics such as disc golfing, camping, concerts and events, hunting, fishing, visiting historic sites, and various types of trail use. Displays showing existing recreational opportunities will be provided for discussion, and staff will be available to answer questions. The open houses are an opportunity for members of the public to convey what they enjoy about the park and what concerns or ideas they might have for the future. This is an important, initial step in the planning process.

Following the Aug. 20 open house, the Division will begin to create a draft master plan, and hold an open house or workshop on that draft plan. The Division will then refine the draft master plan, and hold a formal public meeting before a final plan is adopted. The open house for the preliminary draft master plan and the formal public meeting for the final draft master plan are expected to be held this fall and winter. The Division will announce these events in advance.

White Clay Creek State Park is the second-largest park in DNREC’s park system. The park hosts more than 322,000 visitors each year and contains the most trail miles. The park also holds popular summer concerts, a well-attended summer camp program, the high school cross-country state meet, and other events. Visitors enjoy birding, mountain biking, hiking, fishing, and horseback riding.

The public is encouraged to participate in a brief online survey to provide initial comments. It will close near the end of August for analysis. A second survey with more specific questions will be developed and announced in late summer/early fall. To submit general comments, please email DNREC_WCCmasterplan@delaware.gov, or write to DNREC-DPR, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901, Attn: WCCSP Master Plan.

The public is also encouraged to visit http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/parks/Information/Pages/White-Clay-Creek-State-Park-Master-Plan.aspx for the latest information and updates, and to check back frequently for the latest news and draft documents for review once developed.

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

Vol.48, No. 222

DOVER – The third of four open houses to gather public input on creating a master plan for the future of White Clay Creek State Park in Newark will be held 4-7 p.m., Wednesday Aug. 1, at Deerfield, 507 Thompson Station Road, Newark, DE 19711.

DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin announced in May that DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation is beginning the process of creating a master plan for the future of the park and will be holding four open houses this summer to gather public input before a plan is drafted.

The Aug. 1 open house will focus on roads and trails, for public input on topics such locations, surfacing, widths, uses, and connectivity. Posters on existing roads and trails will be provided for discussion, and staff will be available to answer questions. The open houses are an opportunity for members of the public to convey what they enjoy about the park and what concerns or ideas they might have for the future. This is an important, initial step in the planning process.

The fourth and final open house is scheduled from 4-7 p.m., Monday, Aug. 20, at Deerfield focusing on current and future recreation opportunities in the park.

White Clay Creek State Park is the second-largest park in DNREC’s park system. The park hosts more than 322,000 visitors each year and contains the most trail miles. The park also holds popular summer concerts, a well-attended summer camp program, the high school cross-country state meet, and other events. Visitors enjoy birding, mountain biking, hiking, fishing, and horseback riding.

In addition to the open houses, the public is encouraged to participate in a brief online survey to provide comments. A second survey with more specific questions will be developed later. To submit general comments, please email DNREC_WCCmasterplan@delaware.gov, or write to DNREC-DPR, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901, Attn: WCCSP Master Plan.

The public is also encouraged to visit the White Clay Creek State Park Master Plan web page  for the latest information and updates, and to check back frequently for the latest news and draft documents for review once developed. In addition to the webpage, announcements will be made by DNREC press releases, signs in the park, and other means.

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

DOVER – DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin will host a public meeting at 7 p.m., Monday, May 21 to announce that the Division of Parks & Recreation is beginning the process of creating a master plan for the future of White Clay Creek State Park in Newark, and will be holding four open houses this summer to gather public input for the plan. The meeting will be held at Deerfield, 507 Thompson Station Road, Newark, DE 19711.

“The purpose of the Master Plan is to provide a vision and a framework for the stewardship and use of White Clay Creek State Park,” said Secretary Garvin. “A unified set of objectives will improve collaboration and coordination among staff, organizations, volunteers and visitors, as well as provide clearer expectations for the park. This is an opportunity to create a clear path forward.”

White Clay Creek State Park is the second largest park in DNREC’s park system. The park hosts more than 322,000 visitors each year and contains the most trail miles. The park also holds popular summer concerts, a well-attended summer camp program, the high school cross-country state meet, and other events. Visitors enjoy birding, mountain biking, hiking, fishing, and horseback riding.

Public input will be an integral part of the process. Four open houses to gather public interest and ideas will be held before creating a draft of the Master Plan. The public is encouraged to attend one or all of the open houses. All open houses are tentatively scheduled from 4-7 p.m. at Deerfield, 507 Thompson Station Road, Newark, DE 19711 on the following dates:

• June 25: To highlight natural resources and interpretation; designed for public input on topics such as habitat, farming, ponds/streams, historical and natural programmin
• July 10: To highlight buildings and infrastructure; to seek public input on topics including the Nature Center, the park office, use of buildings, and current and future concessionaires.
• Aug. 1: To highlight roads and trails; for public input on topics including roads, trails and connectivity.
• Aug. 20: To highlight recreation use; for input on topics such as golfing, fishing, visiting historic sites, and events.

In addition to the open houses, the public is encouraged to participate in a brief online survey to provide initial comments. A second survey will be developed with more specific questions later in the process.

The public is also encouraged to visit the Parks and Recreation webpage regarding the White Clay Creek State Park Master Plan for the latest information and updates and to check back frequently for the latest news and draft documents for review once developed. In addition to the webpage, announcements will be made by DNREC press release, signs in the park, and other means.

Residents who would like to submit general comments can email to: DNREC_WCCmasterplan@delaware.gov, or write to DNREC-DPR, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901, Attn: WCCSP Master Plan.

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

Vol. 48, No. 118

DOVER – DNREC’s Division of Energy & Climate will host an informational webinar Tuesday, March 21 for interested parties including municipalities, county governments and their academic and non-profit partners interested in applying for the new Sustainable Communities Planning Grants. The webinar will be offered twice, at 11:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Each will begin with an overview of the grant program, followed by an opportunity for interested applicants to ask questions and talk with DNREC staff.

Webinar Access Information:
Note: Participants must call in for audio. Audio will not be available by computer.
Website: https://video.togethertalk.com
Meeting ID: 18202747
Phone: 877-366-0711
Participant Code: 18202747

The Sustainable Communities Planning Grants are designed to support planning and assessment projects that improve a community’s economy, environment and public health. Grants of up to $80,000 are available to counties or towns with populations of 5,000 residents or more, and grants of up to $40,000 are available to towns with populations of fewer than 5,000 residents. Partners such as universities and non-profit organizations working with a Delaware municipality or county are also invited to apply, as well as multiple communities working collaboratively.

“Delaware communities have already shown initiative in making their hometowns more sustainable – expanding bike networks, harnessing energy from renewable sources and reducing flood risks,” said Sustainability Planner Bahareh van Boekhold, Division of Energy & Climate. “Sustainable Communities Planning Grants will help build healthy, greener communities that attract new businesses, create new jobs, protect citizens and safeguard communities’ natural and cultural heritage.”

For complete grant program information, visit de.gov/sustainablecommunities. For more information, interested applicants are encouraged to email Bahareh van Boekhold (Bahareh.vanBoekhold@delaware.gov) or Mike Tholstrup (Michael.Tholstrup@delaware.gov),, or call the Division of Energy & Climate at 302-735-3480.

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

Vol. 47, No. 66

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