Communities unite in effort to preserve a forest

A determined group of residents are stepping up and taking action to preserve a mature forest off Route 24 near Love Creek Elementary School.

Residents from the Saddle Ridge and Four Seasons at Belle Terre subdivisions have joined forces in an effort to purchase a 6.7-acre parcel – with an active eagle's nest – near their communities.

In an effort to tell their story and get new members, the Delaware Habitat Guardians will have its first public meeting from 7:30 to 9 p.m., Monday, June 26, at the Lewes library. A GoFundMe page has already collected $159,000, with a goal to raise $750,000 to $800,000.

In addition to a presentation on the group's goals, the meeting will provide time for residents to talk about environmental issues, and District 3 Sussex County Councilman Mark Schaeffer will give an update on the council's plans to possibly amend some land-use design, buffers and tree preservation ordinances. There will also be a silent auction.

“As more and more forests and wetlands are bulldozed over for new subdivisions, our beautiful Sussex County wildlife has less and less space to live; we want to speak for the trees and the wildlife. Once a 100-year-old forest is cut down, it will take 100 years to replace it,” said Vice President Judy Rose Seibert.

Currently, the property is landlocked, but it does have a 12.5-foot easement for access to Route 24, which is about 1,000 feet from the property.

The parcel, which is connected to Heddy Fisher Glade and Love Creek, is included as part the Delaware Ecological Network.

The parcel contains many large trees, with some 4 feet in diameter, she said. “And contiguous forest is the most beneficial to wildlife,” Seibert added.

For more information, contact Seibert at mizjudyrose@msn.com. To donate, go to gofundme.com/f/lovecreekforestpreserve.