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DNREC seeks volunteers for Governor's Week of Service in Sussex

Projects available from Jan. 11 to 21
January 16, 2013

For the 2013 Governor’s Week of Service from Jan. 11 to 21, the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control's divisions of fish and wildlife and parks and recreation are looking for volunteers to help with winter projects at state wildlife areas and state parks.

“Part of our state’s great quality of life revolves around our precious natural resources,” said Gov. Jack Markell. “The week of service provides an opportunity to work together preserving and maintaining places that make our state a better place to live, work and raise a family.  It’s part of what makes Delaware a state of neighbors.”

“Every year, thousands of volunteers dedicate time to protect and improve our treasured natural resources,” said DNREC Secretary Collin O’Mara. “These volunteers provide essential services, solve emerging challenges, and supplement the efforts of DNREC staff to enhance our parks and shoreline, our waterways and wildlife areas, our recreational trails and parks, and help clean up our rivers, bays and beaches. During Governor Markell’s annual Week of Service, we recognize these volunteers and encourage more Delawareans to come out and join them.”

Fresh Pond Trail Maintenance will be held from 9 a.m. to noon, Sunday, Jan. 13, with volunteers meeting at the main parking area for Fresh Pond, located in Delaware Seashore State Park near Ocean View.

Volunteers will remove invasive plants and shrubs, natural debris and any litter that impedes Fresh Pond Trail in order to improve trail safety and recreational access. Volunteers are encouraged to dress for the weather, including long pants and closed-toes shoes, and to bring work gloves and water.

Delaware Seashore State Park is located off Delaware Route 1, Ocean View. For more information or to sign up, go to www.VolunteerDelaware.org
The Cape Henlopen State Park Trail Project will be held from 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Jan. 19, with volunteers meeting at the Glade Road Access point for Junction & Breakwater Trail, located off the Rehoboth Little League parking lot near Lewes.

The main project focus is to improve safety and trail enjoyment along the Junction & Breakwater Trail. Project participants will help remove shrubs and undergrowth at intersections that are posing visibility and safety risks along this popular and heavily used bike and pedestrian trail. Volunteers are encouraged to dress for the weather, wear closed-toed shoes, and bring work gloves and water.

Cape Henlopen State Park is located at 15099 Cape Henlopen Drive, Lewes. For more information or to sign up, go to www.VolunteerDelaware.org.

These projects also are part of DNREC’s Bayshore Initiative, a landscape approach to restore and protect fish and wildlife habitat, increase volunteer participation in habitat stewardship projects, enhance low-impact outdoor recreation and ecotourism opportunities and promote associated environmentally compatible economic development.

For more information on the Bayshore Initiative, click Delaware Bayshore.

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