Get Involved in Earth Month: Register Now for the April 13 Christina River Watershed Cleanup

The Christina River Watershed Cleanup includes sites accessed by water, such as the Newport Boat Ramp site./DNREC photo.

Registration is now open for the annual Christina River Watershed Cleanup, rallying volunteers to join the effort on Saturday, April 13. Sponsored by the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, in partnership with the Christina Conservancy and the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary, the cleanup marks the 32nd year hundreds of volunteers will pick up trash at sites across New Castle County as part of Earth Month activities in Delaware.

The cleanup, scheduled from 8 to 11 a.m., will span more than 12 sites from Brandywine Hundred south through Glasgow and Bear. Cleanup volunteers are encouraged to register now through Friday, April 5, on the volunteer tab at ChristinaRiverCleanup.org. Volunteers registered for the cleanup will be provided with gloves, trash bags and safety vests to use during the cleanup. As a thank you, volunteers will receive a Christina River Watershed Cleanup vehicle trash bag or other cleanup swag items while supplies last.

Last April, the Christina River Watershed Cleanup mobilized more than 750 volunteers to pick up 13 tons of trash, tires and recyclables at a dozen sites in New Castle County. The initiative not only focuses on cleaning up but also on educating the community about the importance of maintaining clean and healthy waterways throughout the year.

DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin highlighted the cleanup as a cornerstone of Delaware’s ongoing environmental initiatives, including Governor Carney’s Keep DE Litter Free campaign.

“As part of our mission to keep trash out of Delaware’s waterways and landscapes, and to educate residents and visitors about cleaning up all year round, DNREC hosts two large-scale cleanups each year,” said Secretary Garvin. “With the statewide Delaware Coastal Cleanup not till September, the Christina River Watershed Cleanup in April focuses on a variety of sites in New Castle County as part of DNREC’s celebration of Earth Month – and what better time to support Governor Carney’s Keep DE Litter Free campaign.”

Cleanup Coordinator Shirley Posey emphasized the event’s long-standing commitment to improving the Christina River Watershed and its surroundings.

“This is the 32nd year for the annual Christina River Watershed Cleanup, and we hope to collect – or surpass – our annual average of 15 tons of trash, from piles of tires and appliances to household items and uncountable pieces of plastic,” said Posey. “With 10 cleanup sites this year, we are focused on restoring the health of the river and its watersheds. We invite everyone to join us for another successful cleanup on April 13.”

To further engage the community, volunteers are invited to share their cleanup experiences on social media for a chance to win a 2024 Delaware State Parks annual pass. Each photo shared with @ChristinaCleanup or @CRWCleanup with the #ChristinaRiverCleanup hashtags will count as an entry. Information about the 2024 Christina River Watershed Cleanup will also be posted on Facebook and X, formerly known as Twitter.

The event organizers also offered reminders and safety tips for participants, to include:

Know your limitations and be aware of possibly hazardous areas, including along roadways, streambanks, and steep or slippery slopes.
Dress appropriately for the weather, with sturdy shoes or boots that can get dirty.
Always Recycle Right. Items with lots of dirt or grit attached or inside should be placed in the trash.
As encouraged by Governor Carney’s Keep DE Litter Free initiative, make every day a cleanup day — not just once a year — by packing a disposable bag and rubber or garden gloves whenever you take a walk or go hiking, to collect and carry out trash you find along the way.

Additionally, volunteers are advised to avoid these actions when cleaning up:

Don’t enter private property without permission of the landowner.
Don’t place yourself in any danger while volunteering for the Christina River Watershed Cleanup.
For any independent cleanup volunteers participating, don’t collect any trash that your household waste hauler might not accept. Tires, construction materials, and metal drums may be unacceptable.

More information can be found at ChristinaRiverCleanup.org, or by emailing ChristinaRiverCleanup@gmail.com.

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. 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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Recycle Your Holiday Tree at Free TreeCycle Event Jan. 6

DNREC and the Delaware Center for Horticulture are encouraging families to recycle their holiday trees at the DHC TreeCycle event on Jan. 6, 2024. Photo/Delaware Center for Horticulture

DNREC, Delaware Center for Horticulture Team Up to Keep Trees Working for our Environment

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control in partnership with the Delaware Center for Horticulture (DCH) are encouraging families to recycle their live holiday trees by hosting TreeCycle, a free-of-charge, family-friendly tree recycling event that will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024 at the DCH parking lot, 1810 North Dupont Street, Wilmington, Del. The rain date will be Sunday, Jan. 7.

To keep your holiday trees working for the environment, the Davey Tree Expert Company will be onsite to chip them using its commercial chipper/grinder to produce wood chips that will be used in DCH gardens, the Shearman Street community garden and other public landscapes throughout the city of Wilmington.

For equipment and operator safety, all ornaments, tinsel and other decorations, fake snow, light strings and stands must be removed before chipping. No artificial trees will be accepted.

Additional support for this event is provided by Republic Services. More information about the TreeCycle event can be found at thedch.org. Donations will be accepted to benefit DCH’s community forestry efforts.

About Delaware Center for Horticulture
Since 1977, the Delaware Center for Horticulture has inspired individuals and communities through the power of plants. Its work includes creating and maintaining the first Urban Farm in the city of Wilmington, establishing the Branches to Chances Return to Work Program, beautifying public landscapes, planting and advising on the urban placement of trees, and hosting educational programs and community events. For more information, visit www.thedch.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

Media Contacts:
DNREC: Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov; Joanna Wilson, joanna.wilson@delaware.gov
DCH: Caitlyn Ridgley, cridgley@thedch.org

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DNREC Announces Volunteer Registration Opening Today for Delaware Coastal Cleanup Sept. 23

Volunteers picked up trash at Fox Point State Park, one of 45 sites cleaned during the 2022 Delaware Coastal Cleanup. /DNREC photo.

Volunteers throughout the state are encouraged to join the 2023 Delaware Coastal Cleanup, the annual one-day coordinated statewide trash cleanup event on Saturday, Sept. 23 from 9 a.m. to noon, with online volunteer registration opening today. Hosted by the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control and now in its 36th year, the event will be held at 45 sites to help keep Delaware’s beaches and waterways free of trash.

In addition, Delawareans and visitors are invited to join the month-long campaign starting Sept. 1 to clean up neighborhoods, green spaces and waterways statewide on days, times and at locations of their choice. The coordinated event and month-long campaign support Governor John Carney’s Keep DE Litter Free initiative.

“Four years after the launch of our Keep DE Litter Free initiative, we are seeing Delawareans of all ages and communities coming together to keep our neighborhoods, coastlines and outdoor spaces clear of litter,” Governor Carney said. “Over 1,200 volunteers came out to last year’s Delaware Coastal Cleanup to help in our statewide cleanup efforts. Thank you to all volunteers who participate in our efforts to keep our state beautiful.”

“Last year, the number of volunteers who joined us to pick up trash from our beaches, waterways and wetlands doubled. This year, we hope that even more Delawareans and visitors of all ages will give their time for one day to make a difference,” said DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin. “We also continue to encourage volunteers to make every day a cleanup day in Delaware during the month of September – and throughout the year.”

Volunteers at the event speaking with the site captain. For the Sept. 23 coordinated cleanup, volunteers should sign up by Friday, Sept. 1 for their choice of sites through the Coastal Cleanup page at de.gov/coastalcleanup. Walkups are not encouraged due to volunteer site capacity limitations.

Site captains with supplies will be on site to sign in volunteers and provide supplies, trash bags and directions. Although gloves, paper data cards and pens will be available upon request, volunteers are encouraged to bring their own gloves and to use the online Coastal Cleanup reporting tool, when it goes live Sept. 1, to share their findings. Volunteers are also encouraged to bring their own five-gallon buckets to collect trash, emptying the buckets into consolidated trash bags to reduce the number of plastic bags going to landfills.

Find ideas about how to get involved in the 2023 Delaware Coastal Cleanup on Facebook and Twitter. Volunteers in both the coordinated event on Sept. 23 and the month-long campaign can post photos on facebook.com/DelawareDNREC for a chance to win a 2023 Delaware State Parks pass and a prize bag. Volunteers can post photos as often as they like throughout the month, with each photo counting as a one entry. All volunteers should also report their findings and are invited to share photos through the Coastal Cleanup page. Results will be updated during all month long and will appear on an interactive map.

Last year, 1,180 volunteers cleaned up 6,248 pounds of trash from waterways, wetlands and other natural areas. The top five trash items collected were: 12,280 cigarette butts; 4,986 plastic and glass beverage bottles and cans; 4,852 food wrappers and containers; 300 balloons, and 459 plastic bags, half the number from the year before.

Cleaning up locally makes a big difference statewide and keeps trash from entering waterways and making its way to beaches and beyond. DNREC suggests several ways to help make a difference all year long:

Be proactive by picking up trash near your home to keep your neighborhood clean.
Follow a carry-in/carry out plan and take all trash with you when visiting outdoor spaces, like Delaware State Parks, DNREC wildlife areas, Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve locations, and county or local parks.
Pack a bag and rubber gloves when you take a walk, go for a hike, go hunting or fishing, etc., to collect and carry out trash you find along the way.
Recycle applicable items through in-home recycling or designated drop-off locations. Learn more at de.gov/recycling.

DNREC reminds everyone to wear gloves when picking up trash, wash hands thoroughly after cleanup activities. More information and volunteer registration can be found at de.gov/coastalcleanup. Volunteers also can email questions to DNREC_Coastal_Cleanup@delaware.gov.

Media Contacts: Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov, Joanna Wilson, joanna.wilson@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 DNREC-Sponsored Christina River Watershed Cleanup April 22

Volunteers at an earlier Christina River Cleanup offload trash and debris collected during the event/DNREC photo.

Registration Open for Event in New Castle County

As part of the 2023 Earth Month celebration in April, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control will join the Christina Conservancy and the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary to mobilize volunteers to pick up trash in northern Delaware during the annual Christina River Watershed Cleanup.

The cleanup will be held from 8 to 11 a.m., Saturday, April 22 at 12 sites in northern New Castle County, from Brandywine Hundred south through Glasgow and Bear. Cleanup volunteers are encouraged to register now through Thursday, April 20 on the Volunteer tab at Volunteer.ChristinaRiverCleanup.org.

Volunteers registered for the cleanup will receive gloves, trash bags and safety vests to use for the cleanup, and a Christina River Watershed Cleanup reusable tote bag or a commemorative 30th anniversary t-shirt while supplies last. Registered volunteers are asked to document their findings on the submission link at ChristinaRiverCleanup.org, or they may use provided cards.

“Part of DNREC’s mission is to promote ways to keep Delaware’s great outdoors clean and free of trash, an effort that also aligns with Governor Carney’s Keep DE Litter Free campaign,” said Secretary Shawn M. Garvin. “In addition to encouraging Delawareans and visitors to clean up all year long, we strongly support organized one-day annual cleanups like the Christina River Watershed Cleanup to highlight the importance of keeping trash out of our landscapes and waterways, where it impacts water quality and wildlife, not just the view.”

“This is the 31st year for the annual Christina River Watershed Cleanup, and we hope to collect – or surpass – our annual average of 800 volunteers collecting 15 tons of trash, from piles of tires and appliances to household items and uncountable pieces of plastic. With 12 cleanup sites this year, we are focused on restoring the health of the river and watersheds,” said Christina River Watershed Cleanup Coordinator Shirley Posey. “We invite everyone to come on out and join us for another environmentally successful cleanup on April 22.”

For a chance to win a 2023 Delaware State Parks annual pass, volunteers are encouraged to share cleanup photos as often as they like on @ChristinaCleanup; #ChristinaRiverCleanup; or @CRWCleanup. Each photo post counts as an entry. Information about the 2023 Christina River Watershed Cleanup will also be posted on social media at Facebook and Twitter.

Important Reminders for Cleanup Activities:

Know your limitations and be aware of possibly hazardous areas, including along roadways, streambanks, and steep or slippery slopes.
Dress appropriately for the weather, with sturdy shoes or boots that can get dirty.
Always Recycle Right. Items with lots of dirt or grit attached or inside should be placed in the trash.
As encouraged by Governor Carney’s Keep DE Litter Free initiative, make every day a cleanup day — not just once a year — by packing a disposable bag and rubber gloves whenever you take a walk or go hiking, to collect and carry out trash you find along the way.

Avoid These Actions When Cleaning Up:

Don’t enter private property without permission of the landowner.
Don’t place yourself in any danger while volunteering for the Christina River Watershed Cleanup.
For any independent cleanup volunteers participating, don’t collect any trash that your household waste hauler might not accept. Tires, construction materials, and metal drums may be unacceptable.