delaware environmental news Archives - Celebrating Our 20th Anniversary

DNREC Secretary Greg Patterson joins staff and partners in planting the 75,000th tree in Delaware State Parks at Trap Pond State Park as part of A Tree for Every Delawarean. / DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation

Delaware State Parks planted a Liberty Tree at Trap Pond State Park as its 75,000th tree to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the first state park as well as the 250th milestone of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) is one of three state agencies participating in A Tree for Every Delawarean (TEDI), with a goal of planting one million new trees, one for every resident in the state, by 2030. As part of its 2021-2026 Strategic Plan, the DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation committed to add 75,000 trees at Delaware State Parks by the end of 2026, and the American holly (the state tree) was provided a place of honor in 16 of the 17 state parks as a Liberty Tree. The last tree was planted near the Bob Trail by the causeway at Trap Pond on Oct. 19.

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The Lenape Tribe used CEPF funds to remove invasive trees, mitigate erosion, and initiate reforestation at the Deerfield Property, a brownfield site due to its former use as a police shooting range. The tribe can now access natural areas on this historic property. /Delaware DNREC photo

Twelve Delaware community projects will receive a total of $523,179 in 2027 from grants awarded through the Community Environmental Project Fund (CEPF), administered by the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control. The CEPF supports projects that mitigate pollution, enhance the environment and create recreational opportunities for affected communities.

By state law, DNREC withholds a portion of the money collected through fines and penalties for environmental violations and returns it to communities where the violations occurred. CEPF grants are competitively awarded to organizations for community environmental projects.