Volunteers Sought to Join Concord Pond Cleanup April 13

Last year’s volunteers found plenty of trash around Concord Pond, a popular fishing spot. /DNREC photo

 

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control and partners are seeking volunteers to join this year’s cleanup event at Concord Pond, a popular bass fishing and boating destination in Sussex County that drains into Deep Creek at the cleanup site. Registration is open now for the cleanup to be held from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 13 as part of DNREC’s month-long celebration of Earth Day 2024.

DNREC’s Division of Watershed Stewardship Reclaim Our River – Nanticoke Series program is partnering with Nanticoke Watershed Alliance and the Delaware Nature Society’s Abbott’s Mill Nature Center to host the cleanup, with volunteers gathering in the pond’s parking area near the intersection of Concord Pond Road and Henry Drive in Seaford.

Volunteers will remove trash from both the tidal and nontidal areas around the pond. Gloves and trash bags and some trash grabbers will be provided. However, participants are encouraged to bring their own gloves and trash grabbers if they have them.

More information about the Concord Pond cleanup can be found on the DNREC website. To join DNREC in celebrating Earth Day throughout the month of April, visit de.gov/earthday.

The Reclaim Our River partnership hosts events, presentations, and workshops that promote healthy watersheds. Upcoming activities are posted on the DNREC Calendar of Events and Division of Watershed Stewardship Facebook page.

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 Watershed Stewardship develops and implements innovative watershed assessment, monitoring and implementation activities. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter) or LinkedIn.

Media Contacts: Joanna Wilson, joanna.wilson@delaware.gov; Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov

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Recycled Cardboard Boat Regatta Registration now Open

Action on the Nanticoke River at previous Recycled Cardboard Boat Regattas. The family-fun event is sponsored by DNREC, the Town of Blades and others including the Nanticoke Watershed Alliance, Delaware Nature Society, and the Nanticoke River Yacht Club. /DNREC image

Competitors of All Ages and Seaworthiness Sought for Aug. 5
Eighth Annual DNREC-Sponsored Family Fun Event in Blades

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control announced today that the eighth annual Recycled Cardboard Boat Regatta will be held Saturday, Aug. 5 at the Nanticoke River Public Marine Park in Blades. The DNREC Division of Watershed Stewardship encourages participants to register early and launch their boat-building efforts for a head start on what’s sure to be a creatively-designed flotilla of recycled cardboard regatta competition.

The Recycled Cardboard Boat Regatta is a fun family event presented by the Town of Blades in conjunction with the DNREC Division of Watershed Stewardship’s Reclaim Our River (ROR)-Nanticoke Series Program, Nanticoke Watershed Alliance, Delaware Nature Society’s Abbott’s Mill Nature Center, Gallery 107, and the Nanticoke River Yacht Club. The fun family event begins with sign-in and walk-up registration at 11 a.m., followed by judging of boats’ appearances at noon, and races starting at 12:30 p.m.

The Recycled Cardboard Boat Regatta is open to anyone who’s willing to build a boat from recycled cardboard and paddle it a short distance to the regatta finish line. First-place awards will be given for winners of races in five different categories: individual, youth (age 12 and under), teens (ages 13-18), family/friends, and organizations or businesses. Special awards will be given for “Pride of the Fleet,” “Most Whimsical Boat,” and “Team Spirit.” Also, spectators will be asked to pick a “People’s Choice” award winner, while a special “Titanic Award” will be given for the “Most Dramatic Sinking!”

To receive an early-bird entry fee of $20 per boat, participants are encouraged to register their boats by Friday, July 21. After that date, registration will increase to $30, and participants can also register to enter the day of the event. Boats may be any size, shape or design, but must be made of recycled corrugated cardboard. Boats should be painted with multiple coats of latex paint. Boat decorations may be removed after judging, and prior to the race start.

Participants are encouraged to challenge other boats to face off in the Recycled Cardboard Boat Regatta for one-on-one bragging rights. After all the different categories of racing are completed, cardboard boat skippers may challenge other skippers and their boats to a race. There is a $5 fee for a challenge race to be paid by the challenger.

The event also includes grilled food, refreshments, and opportunities to learn from the ROR partnership about how to protect Delaware’s waterways. The ROR-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 also helps connect the public to important information about water quality that can help in protecting aquatic resources.

The ROR partnership also welcomes event sponsors, with proceeds going toward event costs, river restoration, and water quality education. Sponsorships begin at $50.

Registration, rules and other information about the event can be found at nanticokeriver.org/rcbr/.

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 Watershed Stewardship develops and implements innovative watershed assessment, monitoring and implementation activities. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or LinkedIn.

Media contacts: Joanna Wilson, joanna.wilson@delaware.gov; Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov

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Volunteers Needed for April 15 Cleanup at Concord Pond in Seaford

Earth Day Event Hosted by DNREC Division of Watershed Stewardship

As part of the month-long celebration in April of Earth Day 2023, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control and partners are seeking volunteers to clean up the area around Concord Pond in Seaford from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 15. DNREC’s Division of Watershed Stewardship, in partnership with the Delaware Nature Society, Reclaim Our River – Nanticoke Series and the Nanticoke Watershed Alliance, will host the cleanup.

Registration is now open for volunteers. More information about the cleanup – which will begin from the Concord Pond parking area located near the intersection of Concord Pond Road (Road 516) and Henry Drive in Seaford – can be found on the DNREC website.

Volunteers will remove trash from the area and also will get guidance on how to identify and remove invasive plant species from around the pond. Gloves, trash bags and some trash grabbers will be provided, but participants are encouraged to bring their own gloves and trash removal tools if they have them.

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 Watershed Stewardship develops and implements innovative watershed assessment, monitoring and implementation activities. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or LinkedIn.

Media Contacts: Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov; Nikki Lavoie, nikki.lavoie@delaware.gov

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Recycled Cardboard Boat Regatta Set for Saturday, Aug. 6 on Nanticoke River

Team competition is always intense in the recycled cardboard boat regatta sponsored by DNREC, the Nanticoke Watershed Alliance, the Town of Blades and other environmental partners/DNREC photo

 

The seventh annual Recycled Cardboard Boat Regatta will cast off Saturday, Aug. 6 at the Nanticoke River Public Marine Park, 26 North Market Street, Blades, after a two year absence. Sign in and registration begin at 11 a.m., with judging of boats’ appearances at noon, and races starting at 12:30 p.m. The rain date is Sunday, Aug. 7.

The Recycled Cardboard Boat Regatta is presented by the DNREC Division of Watershed Stewardship, the DNREC Division of Waste and Hazardous Substances, the Nanticoke Watershed Alliance, Abbotts Mill Nature Center, and Town of Blades, as part of the Reclaim Our River (ROR) Program – Nanticoke Series. The event is open to anyone who can build a cardboard boat.

Boats may be any size, shape, or design, but must be made of recycled cardboard. They should be painted with multiple coats of any indoor or exterior latex house paint. Decorations may be removed after judging, and prior to the race start. Participants who pre-register their boats by Saturday, July 30, will receive special early-bird pricing of $20 per boat. After that date, registration will increase to $30. Participants can also register the day of the event.

Participants should plan to paddle their boats from the starting point on the Nanticoke River, approximately 100 yards for adults, and 50 yards for children, to the regatta finish line. First place awards will be given for winners of races in five categories: individual, youth, teens, family, and organizations or businesses. Special awards will be given for “Pride of the Fleet,” “Most Whimsical Boat,” and “Team Spirit.” Also, spectators will be asked to pick a “People’s Choice” award winner, while a special “Titanic Award” will be given for the “Most Dramatic Sinking!”

Participants also are encouraged to challenge others to race in the Recycled Cardboard Boat Regatta for one-on-one bragging rights. After all boat races are completed, skippers of cardboard boats may challenge another skipper to a race. For a challenge race, both challengers pay a $5 fee.

During the event, attendees can learn about the Reclaim Our River (ROR) partnership and how to help protect Delaware’s waterways. The ROR-Nanticoke Series is devoted to bringing 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.

The ROR partnership also welcomes event sponsors, with proceeds going toward event costs, projects that improve water quality, and water quality education. Sponsorships begin at $50.

Registration, rules and other information about the Cardboard Boat Regatta is available at nanticokeriver.org/rcbr22. A video about the event including past regattas is posted on the @DelawareDNREC YouTube channel.

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 Watershed Stewardship develops and implements innovative watershed assessment, monitoring and implementation activities. The DNREC Division of Waste and Hazardous Substances ensures Delaware’s wastes are managed to protect human life, health, safety and the environment. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.

Media Contacts: Joanna Wilson, joanna.wilson@delaware.gov; Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov


DNREC invites public to join 2018 ‘Nanticoke Wade In’ and learn of river’s ‘health’ June 9 at Trap Pond State Park

LAUREL – The Nanticoke Watershed Alliance and Delaware’s Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control invite the public to join the 2018 Nanticoke Wade In and learn about the Nanticoke River Ten-Year Report Card, which will be released Saturday, June 9 at Trap Pond State Park in Laurel. Sponsored by DNREC and the Franklin P. and Arthur W. Perdue Foundation, the event takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and features free programs for children and adults, exhibitors, and the Wade In’s signature “sneaker index.” Park entry is free by mentioning the “Wade In” at the fee booth.

The highlight will be the Nanticoke River Ten-Year Report Card, which examines water quality results and trends from the first 10 years of the Nanticoke Creekwatchers program. The Nanticoke Watershed Alliance also will provide free native plants and shrubs to program attendees, and Nanticoke Creekwatchers will demonstrate water quality equipment and talk about what they measure in the river and why.

Following the report card announcement in conjunction with DNREC’s Division of Watershed Stewardship, everyone is invited to join the Wade In and get their feet wet to help evaluate the river’s condition using the “sneaker index,” a tradition originated by Maryland State Senator C. Bernard “Bernie” Fowler. Participants will measure how deep they can wade into the water and still see their feet. This is a casual indicator of water clarity – the ability of sunlight to reach the river bottom, which is crucial for supporting high dissolved oxygen levels, bottom-dwelling species, and submerged aquatic vegetation.

Throughout the event, programs will be offered on a variety of topics, including composting, native plants, wildlife, water quality, and pollinators. Among the exhibitors at the event, the Seed Exchange will open at 10 a.m. and will distribute flower, vegetable, and herb seeds while supplies last. Other exhibitors include Sussex County Master Gardeners and the Trap Pond State Park Mobile Science Lab from DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation. The day will conclude with a guided kayak tour of Trap Pond.

Attendees are encouraged to follow the event online at www.facebook.com/NanticokeRiver or www.NanticokeRiver.org.

For more information, please contact Phil Miller at 302-290-3578 or philip.miller@delaware.gov.

Contact: Philip Miller, DNREC Conservation Programs, 302-290-3578

Vol. 48, No. 144