DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin, left, works with a colleague to plant another tree in the Tree for Every Delawarean Initiative whose goal is to get 1 million trees planted in the First State by 2023 /DNREC photo

Seven New Projects Will Add 35,000 Trees to Take Total Planted Thus Far into the Initiative Beyond 200,000 by End of 2024

The Tree for Every Delawarean Initiative (TEDI) is making significant progress toward the goal of planting 1 million trees by 2030. The initiative has awarded funding to seven new projects, which will push the total count beyond 200,000 trees this year.

Through TEDI, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control and the Department of Agriculture’s Delaware Forest Service works with conservation partners to enhance and support tree-planting projects throughout the state.

“Along with transitioning to clean energy sources, increased energy efficiency and clean transportation initiatives, TEDI is a key component of Delaware’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gases in our atmosphere,” said DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin. “Trees improve air and water quality, preserve soil and support wildlife, and they play a critical role in helping to fight climate change.”

The seven newly funded projects, which were selected from among 15 applications, will receive a combined $238,500 for planting 35,000 trees.

The projects that received funding are located throughout the state of Delaware, from Frankford to Wilmington. They involve a range of organizations, including nonprofits, towns and schools. Project recipients and project locations include:

• Center for the Inland Bays in Georgetown and Lewes
• City of Newark along the Pomeroy Trail bike path
• Delaware Interfaith Power and Light for planting in Newark and Wilmington
• Delaware Technical Community College across its campuses
• Delaware Wild Lands in Middletown and Frankford
• St. Anne’s Episcopal School in Middletown
• Village of Ardencroft for planting in New Castle County

In fiscal year 2023, a total of 10,845 trees were planted on approximately 27 acres using TEDI funds. The 2023 TEDI annual report can be found on the DNREC website.

Additional funding opportunities, as well as a list of nurseries that carry native trees, tips on tree care, and a TEDI tree tracker can be found by visiting de.gov/tedi. Delawareans can help TEDI reach its goal by adding details about newly planted trees on their property into the tracker.

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 Climate, Coastal and Energy uses science, education, policy development and incentives to address Delaware’s climate, energy and coastal challenges. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter) or LinkedIn.

Media Contacts: Jim Lee, JamesW.Lee@delaware.gov; Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov

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Tree For Every Delawarean Initiative Proposals Due Oct. 23

Municipalities can join state agencies and non-governmental organizations with 501(c)(3) status in applying for funding from the Tree for Every Delawarean Initiative (TEDI) for their tree-planting projects.

Funding requests can include multiple projects and may range from $20,000 to $90,000.

“Planting trees is a nature-based solution to reducing greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, and it plays a critical role in helping fight climate change,” said DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin. “Together with increased energy efficiency and transitioning to clean energy sources, TEDI is helping Delaware move toward a sustainable future.”

Trees also improve air and water quality, preserve soil, and they support wildlife.

Last year, a total of $100,000 in funding was awarded to projects, resulting in almost 7,500 trees being planted. Since the program launched in November 2021, approximately 80,000 trees have been planted with the support of TEDI funds. Combined with other funding sources, community efforts and individual plantings, more than 180,000 trees have been planted toward a goal of 1 million.

This is the first year that municipalities are eligible to apply for funding.

Applications must be submitted to the DNREC Division of Climate, Coastal and Energy by 4 p.m. Monday, Oct. 23. Visit the TEDI website for more information on the program and call for proposals requirements, or email questions to TEDI@delaware.gov.

Delawareans can join in the Tree for Every Delawarean Initiative by tracking trees they plant on their own property and inputting the information in the TEDI Tracker at de.gov/tedi.

Information on funding from other TEDI partners, as well as tips on native species, proper planting techniques and how to care for trees can also be found on the TEDI website.

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 Climate, Coastal and Energy uses science, education, policy development and incentives to address Delaware’s climate, energy and coastal challenges. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or LinkedIn.

Media Contact: Michael Globetti, Michael.globetti@delaware.gov or Jim Lee, JamesW.Lee@delaware.gov

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Governor Carney puts toil into his Tree for Every Delawarean Initiative during a tree planting event at Fork Branch Nature Preserve in Kent County. DNREC Photo.

Tree For Every Delawarean Initiative Announces Conservation Partnership’s Latest Award Recipients

Five projects will receive a combined $60,000 in grant funding for tree plantings as part of Delaware’s Tree For Every Delawarean Initiative (TEDI), the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control and initiative partners announced today.

TEDI works with Delaware conservation partners including DNREC and the Department of Agriculture’s Delaware Forest Service to enhance and support tree planting projects throughout the state, with the goal of planting 1 million trees by 2030. To date, over 72,000 trees have been planted with funds allocated through TEDI. Combined with funding from other sources, a total of 120,000 trees have been planted since January 2020. The latest projects will add almost 8,000 trees to this total and are to be completed this fall and next spring.

The funded tree planting projects were selected from among 13 applications cumulatively seeking more than $250,000 in requests received during the latest funding round for TEDI.

Project recipients, their TEDI grant awards, and project locations include:

• Delaware State Parks ($10,000) for tree plantings at Brandywine Creek and Delaware Seashore state parks
• Delaware Botanic Gardens in Dagsboro ($17,500)
• The Nature Conservancy ($10,000 ) for planting at the Bullseye-Ferry Landing Preserve near Millsboro
• Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve ($5,000) for planting at Blackbird Landing in Townsend
• Siegel Jewish Community Center in Wilmington ($17,500)

TEDI is a partnership between the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control’s Division of Climate, Coastal and Energy and the Delaware Forest Service’s Urban and Community Forestry Program. TEDI provides technical assistance, resources to communities and financial support through grant awards.

Additional funding opportunities, as well as a list of nurseries that carry native trees, tips on tree care and a tree tracker can be found by visiting de.gov/tedi. Members of the public are encouraged to add newly-planted trees into the tracker in helping to support TEDI in reaching its million-tree goal.

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 Climate, Coastal and Energy uses science, education, policy development and incentives to address Delaware’s climate, energy and coastal challenges. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or LinkedIn.

Media Contacts: Jim Lee, JamesW.Lee@delaware.gov; Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov

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More than 120,000 trees have been planted since the Tree for Every Delawarean Initiative (TEDI) began in November 2021.

Tree for Every Delawarean Initiative (TEDI) Proposals Due July 1

State agencies and non-governmental organizations with 501(c)(3) status have until July 1 to submit funding request proposals for reforestation projects through the Tree for Every Delawarean Initiative (TEDI).

TEDI, administered through the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Division of Climate, Coastal and Energy and the Delaware Department of Agriculture’s Delaware Forest Service launched last November. The initiative works with partners to enhance and support tree plantings throughout the state, with a goal of planting at least one tree for every Delawarean.

Planting trees is a nature-based solution to reducing greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, playing a critical role in helping fight climate change. TEDI is part of the state’s comprehensive plan to respond to climate change and supports Delaware’s Climate Action Plan.

Funding requests can include multiple projects and may range from $5,000 to $20,000.

Applications must be submitted to DNREC’s Division of Climate, Coastal and Energy by 5 p.m. on Friday, July 1. Visit the TEDI website for more information about the program and the requirements of the call for proposals, or email questions to TEDI@delaware.gov.

Delawareans can join in the Tree for Every Delawarean Initiative by tracking trees they plant on their own property and inputting the information in the TEDI Tracker, which can be found at de.gov/tedi.

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 Climate, Coastal and Energy uses science, education, policy development and incentives to address Delaware’s climate, energy and coastal challenges. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.

Media Contacts: Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov or Jim Lee, Jamesw.lee@delaware.gov

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Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Secretary Shawn M. Garvin and State Senator Nicole Poore, Jobs for Delaware Graduates president, help plant a ceremonial sycamore tree along the Brandywine River as part of the 2022 DNREC Volunteer Awards and Tree for Every Delawarean Planting held April 18 at Brandywine Park in Wilmington. Pictured, left to right, are: Secretary Garvin; Josh Fitzgerald, grounds maintenance supervisor for Wilmington and Alapocas Run State Parks; Angel Davila-Chicas and Stephanie Mendez-Torres, Jobs for Delaware Graduates volunteers; Senator Poore, and DNREC Deputy Secretary Lisa Borin Ogden. /DNREC photo

To kick off Earth Week and National Volunteer Week, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) hosted its 2022 DNREC Volunteer Awards ceremony Monday in Brandywine Park, Wilmington, alongside a Tree for Every Delawarean Initiative (TEDI) planting by Jobs for Delaware Graduates (JDG) youth volunteers.

Secretary Shawn M. Garvin presented the DNREC Volunteer Awards to outstanding Delawareans who have stepped up to get their hands dirty to benefit the Delaware State Parks and the planet, and then joined JDG President Sen. Nicole Poore to plant a ceremonial sycamore tree at the planting site along the Brandywine River.

“The volunteers celebrated today are valuable stewards of Delaware State Parks and help DNREC reach its mission,” Secretary Garvin said. “Our parks system benefits from friends groups, veterans, youth organizations, businesses, non-profits, families and individuals. Volunteering for DNREC is a win-win opportunity, where members of the public can give back to our state and the planet we all call home and enjoy Delaware’s natural and cultural resources.”

While volunteer hours have decreased due to the COVID-19 pandemic, 2,054 volunteers contributed 97,500 hours, or the equivalent of 50 full-time employees, throughout Delaware State Parks in 2021. Volunteer opportunities at the parks include helping with operations, maintenance, programming, education, environmental stewardship, trail upkeep and to tell the history of Delaware.

Jobs for Delaware Graduates volunteers gladly stepped up to plant 120 saplings in the picnic area along the river. JDG is a school-to-work transitional program, dedicated to helping youth who face challenges and helping them reach academic and economic success.

The April 18 TEDI planting is one of several hosted by DNREC and the Delaware Department of Agriculture (DDA) this spring. TEDI is a statewide initiative that aims to plant 1 million trees, or about one for every resident.

The DNREC Division of Climate, Coastal and Energy and DDA’s Urban and Community Forestry Program partner with other stakeholders to administer the initiative, which was launched last year as a key strategy of Delaware’s Climate Action Plan. Trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and offset the greenhouse gases that are driving climate change.

This TEDI planting will help soak up excess rainwater and filter out pollutants, which will improve water quality of the Brandywine River. JDG is a school-to-work transitional program that helps youth who face challenges reach academic and economic success.

Delawareans can add any trees they plant to the online TEDI Tracker, which shows location and other information about trees planted around the state since 2020. The web page, de.gov/tedi, also provides information on TEDI tree planting volunteer opportunities.

The recipients of the 2022 DNREC Volunteer Awards for advancing the department’s mission through outstanding service include:

Youth Education Volunteer of the Year: Owen Marko.

Administration/Coordinator Group Volunteer of the Year: Lums Pond Campground Hosts.

Youth Group Volunteer of the Year: B.S.A. Troop 2.

Business Partner: DuPont Company.

Habitat Restoration/Conservation: Don Coats.

Recreation Group Volunteer of the Year: Brandywine Mountain Bike Collective.

Historical Conservation/Restoration Group: Auburn Valley Railroad Crew.

Historical Education Volunteer of the Year: Pauletta Clemens.

Environmental Education Individual Volunteer of the Year: Andy Ednie.

Environmental Conservation Volunteer of the Year: Wendy Aycoth.

Recreation Individual Volunteer of the Year: Gary Kirk.

Friends Group Volunteer of the Year: Friends of Wilmington State Parks.

Administration and Coordination Volunteer of the Year: Kimberly Gould.

DNREC offers a variety of volunteer opportunities. For more information, visit de.gov/dnrecvolunteer.

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, Twitter or LinkedIn.

Media Contacts: Shauna McVey, shauna.mcvey@delaware.gov or Jim Lee, JamesW.Lee@delaware.gov