Save The Date: Delaware Tree Stewards Training in June

DOVER, Del. (May 19, 2023) – The Delaware Tree Stewards, housed under the Delaware Forest Service’s Urban and Community Program, is offering a four-session training, geared toward participants living in both New Castle County and Sussex County, Delaware. Participants will be equipped with skills to be able to work with neighbors, organizations and local public agencies within their own communities to organize and lead tree planting projects, assess new potential tree planting sites, care for existing tree canopy and access a variety of technical and financial resources to support their endeavors. This training will be provided by Craig Highfield, Forests Program Director for the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, and Heather Titanich, Community Forester for the Delaware Center for Horticulture. The training covers topics including:

 

  • Tree biology & health
    Discussion of anatomy and physiology of trees and how they interact with soil. This session provides the foundation to understanding how trees grow and react to challenges of urban and suburban planting sites.
  • Site assessment & tree selection
    Right Tree for the Right Space. This session will go over the steps to properly assess the growing conditions of a planting site and tools to help you select the trees that will grow best at that site.
  • Proper planting techniques
    Planting a tree properly and providing tree maintenance is essential for a successful project. Various planting techniques will be covered to address the challenges of urban sites and the care needed in order to help the new trees be established.
  • Maintenance & tree care
  • Organizing community plantings events
    Discuss how to bring together your site assessment, tree selection, planting requirements and other logistical elements into a comprehensive plan.

Throughout the year, the Delaware Forest Service’s Urban and Community Forestry program offers a four-part training and certification program that joins together a group of passionate volunteers from across the state, as they cover tree science, tree care techniques, and project development. The dates and times of each session are as follows:

Sessions with Craig Highfield, Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay

  • June 5 | 7:00-8:30 P.M.
  • June 7 | 7:00-8:30 P.M.
  • June 12 | 7:00-8:30 P.M.
  • June 14 | 7:00-8:30 P.M.

All four sessions will be held virtually. Register here: allianceforthebay.org/TreeStewards

 

Sessions with Heather Titanich, Delaware Center for Horticulture

  • June 8 | 6:00-8:00 P.M.
  • June 13 | 6:00-8:00 P.M.
  • June 20 | 6:00-8:00 P.M.

All three sessions will be held at 1810 N Dupont St, Wilmington DE 19806, DCH Founder’s Room. Register here: https://thedch.org/events/?eid=14135


Tree Stewards Volunteer Event

  • June 25 | 10:00 A.M.-12:00 P.M. – Banning Regional Park, 102 Middleboro Rd, Wilmington DE 19804

 

Delaware Forest Service Urban Forestry Coordinator Kesha Braunskill remarked, “Delaware Forest Service is happy to have our partners assist with providing such an important program to citizens in Delaware who are interested in learning how to keep our community trees healthy. We hope that more people will take an interest in becoming certified Delaware Tree Stewards so that we can continue to grow Delaware’s tree canopy.”

Launched in Fall 2020, the Delaware Tree Stewardship program connects Delawareans to their landscapes through the acts of planting and caring for trees. Delaware Tree Stewards is an excellent opportunity to connect with experts and learners alike. By completing training and networking with other stewards, graduates will be able to recognize opportunities and coordinate tree projects where they are needed most. Visit de.gov/treestewards to find out how you can get involved!

 

About the Delaware Center for Horticulture
The Delaware Center for Horticulture cultivates greener communities by inspiring appreciation and improvement of the environment through horticulture, education and conservation. Founded in 1977, the Center’s headquarters in Wilmington’s Trolley Square is an oasis in the city. As DCH’s Community Forester, Heather Titanich works to sustain a safe and equitable tree canopy across Wilmington. This involves coordinating tree plantings, securing sources of funding for tree care, and educating the public about the importance of trees in the built environment by leading DCH’s Neighborhood Tree Steward program. Heather has a background in public horticulture, working to connect people with plants, and promote the diversity of native species. Heather holds a B.S. in Forest Resource and Environmental Conservation from Virginia Tech. She is also an ISA Certified Arborist and has obtained Tree Risk Assessment Qualification.

About the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay
The mission of the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay is to pursue innovative strategies and collaborations that improve the health of the region’s forests, create new forests in places important to water quality and promote the benefits of forests and resource management to private landowners, decision-makers and the general population of the six-state bay watershed. Craig Highfield is the Forests Program Director for the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay. Craig leads the forest team that is situated in the Alliance’s state offices in Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania. Craig received a M.S. in Environmental Science from Johns Hopkins University and is an ISA Certified Arborist.

About Delaware Forest Service
The mission of the Delaware Department of Agriculture’s Delaware Forest Service (DFS) is to conserve, protect, and enhance Delaware forests and their resources for the public through education, management, demonstration, promotion, and providing technical services in a timely and efficient manner. DFS provides a wide range of services to help Delawareans manage and improve their forest resources. These services are divided into three categories: conservation, protection, and education. For more information, visit the website agriculture.delaware.gov/forest-service/ and connect with DFS on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.


2,075 Seedlings Planted for the Harriet Tubman Bicentennial Tree Planting

TOWNSEND, Del. (September 21, 2022) – On September 17, over 100 volunteers planted 2,075 trees at the Blackbird State Forest for the Harriet Tubman Bicentennial Tree Planting. This initiative will provide scenic beauty, enhance wildlife habitat, fight invasive species, and improve water quality in the critical Chesapeake Bay Watershed. This tree planting was part of a broader program to commemorate the 200th birthday year of Harriet Tubman in 1822 and part of International Underground Railroad Month.Sixth District Councilman David Carter and Del State student Lauren Smith work together to plant a seedling.

“This tree planting event along with the guided hikes (held separately), generated a lot of interest and positive feedback for more programming like this from Delaware citizens. We were fortunate enough to partner in these events with a cultural interpretive guide Dionne Patterson (UGR3day Underground Railroad Experiences Inc.), DelDOT Byways Program, and the Underground Railroad Coalition of Delaware,” said Delaware Forest Service’s Urban and Community Forestry Coordinator Kesha Braunskill. “Our forestry staff did an outstanding job in preparing the site for the planting to take place. And volunteers from all over the state did an awesome job getting all the trees planted in under three hours. These planting events are great for community involvement, and everyone gets to see the fruits of their labor for years to come as they come back to see the forest they helped create.”

The planting project allowed the Delaware Forest Service to continue its goal of increasing tree canopy, as well as increasing the community’s knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of forests and forest management. Volunteers who assisted included teachers and students from various school groups, honor society students, Cub Scout and Boy Scout troops, and volunteers from Delaware’s Air Force Crew.

Blackbird State Forest covers nearly 6,000 acres in southern New Castle County and is a stop on the historic Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway. The project was funded by the U.S. Forest Service and its Chesapeake Bay Program and the Delaware Forest Service and its Urban and Community Program.

To find out how to get involved in future tree plantings or other tree-inspired programs, visit https://de.gov/treeevents.

More photographs are available on Flickr, https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjA7XEp


Gov. Carney celebrates Arbor Day in Rehoboth Beach

View high-resolution images from the 2021 Arbor Day Ceremony: https://flic.kr/s/aHsmVt4ZHB

Watch a video of the Arbor Day Ceremony at: https://vimeo.com/543833663

REHOBOTH BEACH, Del. (April 30, 2021) – Governor John C. Carney, Jr. proclaimed Arbor Day in Delaware at a ceremony at Rehoboth Elementary School attended by fifth-grade students and staff, members of the General Assembly, and city and state officials. The event recognized Mayor Stan Mills and the City of Rehoboth Beach for its 30th year as a Tree City USA. Governor Carney also honored student winners in the Delaware Forest Service’s annual Arbor Day School Poster Contest. Two new oak trees were planted on the school campus for the event.

Carney Arbor Day

Carney addressed the audience on the importance of trees to the environment: “One of my favorite bumper stickers, in terms of our personal responsibility to protect the environment, is ‘think globally, but act locally’ … we can do something, each of us, to protect our environment, to address global warming, and to prepare a better world for all of us in the future.” Carney said. “And one of the best things we can do is plant more trees.”

Speakers included Rehoboth Mayor Stan Mills, Agriculture Secretary Michael T. Scuse, DNREC Secretary Shawn Garvin, Delaware State Forester Michael Valenti, and Nick Serratore of the Rehoboth Art League. Honored guests included Speaker of the House Peter Schwartzkopf, Senator Ernesto Lopez, State Auditor Kathleen K. McGuiness, and Rehoboth Beach city commissioners.

Agriculture Secretary Michael T. Scuse highlighted the importance of trees to Delaware: “Arbor Day is a great day to both celebrate trees and remind us to plant more,” he said.  “Trees have many natural benefits that help improve our environment. Trees are great at capturing carbon dioxide emissions, which helps improve the air quality in our climate. They also serve as buffers to protect water quality by reducing soil erosion and decreasing runoff. The Delaware Forest Service’s Urban and Community Program works to increase tree canopy in communities statewide. Every community can find its tree canopy level at de.gov/treecanopy and then work with the Forest Service to improve it.”

DNREC Secretary Shawn Garvin addressed the students with a direct message of their role in today’s world: “There are people like me who speak to students who say ‘And you’re the environmental stewards of the future.’ And I’m the first person to stand up and say, actually, no. You are the environmental stewards of today. You are the ones who are pushing us and holding us accountable because this is your future we’re talking about.”

State forester Michael A. Valenti asked the students to take the lead and plant trees for future generations: “I urge you to protect trees and the forests in your communities, in your county, and in the state. Because trees provide so many natural benefits, we cannot live without them.”

Mayor Mills accepted recognition from Delaware State Forester Michael Valenti for their 30th year as a Tree City USA:

“This is such a terrific, terrific honor… The city has a history, as you know, of investing in its trees, and we will continue to do so. We value trees not just for their beauty but also for their health, social, environmental, and wildlife benefits,” Mill said. “And I also want to thank the state for supporting us in our effort to maintain the health and beauty of our trees. It takes an effort and a partnership, and I also want to give additional thanks to all those within our community who plant and nurture trees, and who are committed to the City of Rehoboth Beach continuing as a Tree City USA.”

RES poster winners

 

Rehoboth Elementary School fifth-grader Miranda Garcia was among three fifth-grade students honored for her winning entry in the Delaware Forest Service’s Arbor Day School Poster Contest – she was selected as the Sussex County winner for Grade 5. The winning students participated in a ceremonial tree watering of two new white oaks planted on the school campus, along with Governor Carney and state officials.

Watering trees Rehoboth


Arbor Day Poster Contest for Grades K to 5

Delaware Forest Service Arbor Day Poster Contest

2020 theme is “Trees Are Terrific…in Many Wonderful Ways!”

DOVER, Del. — To celebrate Arbor Day in the First State, the Delaware Forest Service is once again holding its annual “Arbor Day School Poster Contest” for students in grades K to 5 from all Delaware public, private, home school, after-school, and other organized youth groups. Winning posters will be selected from each of the three counties in the following categories: kindergarten, grades 1 and 2, grades 3 and 4, and grade 5. The twelve winners will be recognized at the annual Statewide Arbor Day Celebration hosted by Governor Carney! A tree planting ceremony will also be scheduled at each winner’s school to celebrate Arbor Day.

The poster contest is designed to increase student knowledge about forests and forest resources. For teachers, the poster contest can be an ideal way for students to learn more about the role of trees in our communities and their direct impact on Delawareans’ health and well-being. The schoolyard is a perfect setting to incorporate the role of trees into your everyday curriculum. Trees not only provide beauty, shade, and habitat and food for wildlife, they also improve air quality, muffle noise, moderate air temperatures, filter runoff into streams and rivers, and reduce energy consumption.

2019 Theme

“Trees Are Terrific…in Many Wonderful Ways!”

Criteria

Posters will be judged on originality, use of theme, neatness, and artistic expression.

Classroom Resources

Teachers can access the shared google folder for the 2020 Poster Guidelines and Rules, Curriculum Guide and additional resources.

Free Seedlings

All participating classes receive free loblolly pine seedlings delivered to their schools, just in time to celebrate Arbor Day!

Registration Link:

2020 Arbor Day Poster Contest Registration and Seedling Request

Questions:

Ashley Melvin, Delaware Forest Service – (302) 698-4551

ashley.melvin@delaware.gov

Dates to Remember:

  • Deadline to register and reserve free seedlings: March 9
  • Deadline to submit posters for state contest: April 1
  • Arbor Day in Delaware: April 24
  • Seedling delivery: mid-April

In 2019, the Delaware Forest Service hosted its annual Arbor Day Ceremony at Dover’s Schutte Park, honoring its school poster contest winners and recognizing Dover’s 30th Year as the First State’s longest-running Tree City USA. The event culminated with the planting of more than 30 large trees at six locations, including a zelkova on the historic Green on State Street. Delaware State University also held its Arbor Day event and celebrated its 8th consecutive year as Delaware’s only certified Tree Campus USA, followed by a ceremonial tree planting on campus.

Check out more from the 2019 Arbor Day  photos on Flickr or at the Delaware Forest Service Facebook Page

Each poster contest winner received a tree-themed book and a print reproduction of their poster on fine art canvas. Thanks to corporate sponsor Delmarva Power, a free tree planting ceremony will also be held at each winner’s school. In addition, every participating classroom receives free pine seedlings for all participants. Once again this year, students from the Middletown High School FFA Chapter and senior volunteers from the Modern Maturity Center in Dover are wrapping thousands of seedlings to distribute to schoolchildren statewide. Check out the previous year’s winners:

For more information, email: Ashley Melvin

Arbor Day observances are also an integral part of community recognition programs such as Tree Campus USA, Tree City USA, and Delaware’s Tree Friendly Community Award, as well as qualifying for a financial award from the Urban Grant Program.

Past Delaware Arbor Day celebrations:

 


Emerald ash borer continues to threaten Delaware trees

DOVER, Del. — Emerald ash borer (EAB), a destructive insect from Asia that attacks and kills ash trees, has been confirmed in Newark, Delaware. Originally found in northern Delaware in 2016, recent infestations were confirmed in both Middletown and Seaford in November 2018.

Current guidelines recommend the removal or treatment of ash trees if located within 15 miles of a known infestation. Since Delaware is geographically small and EAB can go undetected for years, residents are urged to educate themselves now and take action.

Delaware Department of Agriculture recommends that property owners within a 5 to 15 mile radius of a positive EAB detection treat the trees they want to keep. Tree removal is strongly suggested so homeowners can protect their property and help limit the spread of this insect. For the latest information from the Delaware Department of Agriculture, residents can go to de.gov/ashtrees for an EAB Fact Sheet and an Ash Treatment Decision Guide.

Emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) has been confirmed in 35 states, the District of Columbia, and five Canadian provinces. The USDA’s Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service estimates that the insect has killed millions of ash trees, caused agencies to implement extensive federal quarantines, and cost hundreds of millions of dollars to municipalities, homeowners, nursery operators and forest product industries. For a comprehensive history and overview of EAB, read the Emerald Ash Borer Story Map.

The Emerald ash borer has had a devastating effect on ash trees (Fraxinus spp.) in both rural and urban areas in the United States. A hardwood tree, ash has traditionally been used for making baseball bats. Its high heat value also makes it ideal for firewood. Due to the danger of spreading invasive pests like EAB, USDA developed the “Hungry Pests” campaign urging people to curtail human-assisted spread and to help reduce the risks to the state’s forests and landscapes.

Ash is identifiable by its compound leaf with 5 to 9 leaflets arranged opposite each other. Ash trees are also one of the trees (along with maple, dogwood, and horse-chestnut) that feature an opposite branching pattern. Symptoms of an EAB infestation can be difficult to notice at first, but usually include: canopy dieback, epicormic sprouting, bark splits, woodpecker damage, and D-shaped exit holes on the bark. Adult beetles feed on ash leaves but actually cause little damage. The larvae feed on the inner bark of ash trees, disrupting the tree’s ability to transport water and nutrients, typically killing the tree within a few years.

The Delaware Forest Service estimates that ash comprises two percent of the total tree species in the state; however, some communities near urban areas have a higher percentage of ash and could be more adversely impacted.

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Media Contact: Stacey Hofmann, (302) 698-4542, Stacey.Hofmann@delaware.gov