The Delaware Children in Nature Taskforce and the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) are pleased to announce that applications are now being sought for the position of Children in Nature Program Coordinator.
Please read the job description and requirements prior to applying. The deadline is Monday, June 17, 2013.
Join Delaware State Parks, Delaware Master Gardeners, Friends of Wilmington Parks, US Fish and Wildlife, and Delaware Nature Society for this FREE comprehensive workshop covering monarchs, their migration and the cultures they touch. Educators from all fields are encouraged to sign up for this exciting workshop. This year’s workshop will be held Tuesday and Wednesday, July 30-31, from 9:00am to 4:00pm, at the Blue Ball Barn at Alapocas State Park in Wilmington, DE.
You will leave this workshop with the following:
For more information, please contact Barbara Woodford. To register, please visit http://2013monarcheducatorsworkshop.eventbrite.com/.
On Saturday, June 15, from 10am-1pm, join 
the Delaware Native Plant Society at Abbott’s Mill Nature Center in Milford, DE, to discuss “Shady Natives.” Participants will also tour a completed wetland project, hike the Board Walk Trail, see the native plant demonstration garden, a Chestnut tree restoration area, and enjoy a pot-luck lunch!
Registration is free, but you must register by June 12th. To reserve a spot, email eric@elementdg.com.
See you there!
Lots of great information and annoucements! Stay informed and spread the word!
Teacher Workshop: Engaging Students through Nature
July 24th, 2013, 9:00am-3:30pm
Learn strategies to increase student engagement and enrich learning across subject areas by integrating nature into your curriculum.
This workshop is FREE thanks to the support from the PA Dept. of Environmental Protection..
Space is limited and pre-registration is required. To register call 215-482-7300 x110 or email scee@schuylkillcenter.org.
For more information, please visit http://www.schuylkillcenter.org/programs/forteachers/professional.html.
Connecting people and resources to grow greener schools
July 23, 2013, 9:00 am – 4:30 pm
School Administrators, Teachers and Facilities staff
Spend a day with colleagues from the region learning successful strategies for implementing green initiatives at your school.
Symposium partners include the Delaware Valley Green Buildings Council and the PA Association of Environmental Educators.
This symposium is FREE thanks to the support of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.
To register, call 215-482-7300 x110 or email scee@schuylkillcenter.org.
For more information, please visit http://www.schuylkillcenter.org/programs/forteachers/professional.html
(via DNREC)
The Delaware Association of Conservation Districts (DACD) encourages you to think about your personal responsibility to be a good steward of Delaware’s natural resources during its annual Stewardship Week celebration. The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) has proclaimed April 28 to May 5 as Soil and Water Stewardship Week, marking the 58th year of the national event, with 2013 theme “Where Does Your Water Shed?”
The Delaware Association and its three districts are members of the NACD, which oversees the Stewardship Week program. Stewardship Week is one of the largest national annual programs to promote conservation. NACD represents the nation’s 3,000 conservation districts, which were established to encourage resource conservation across the country. Delaware’s conservation districts purchase Stewardship Week materials for distribution to local schools and church organizations as funding permits.
The “Where Does Your Water Shed” theme plays on the fact that less than 1 percent of all of the water on our planet is fresh water. The average citizen in the United States uses 70 gallons of water every day – which does not include the water it takes to manufacture the automobiles, clothing and food we depend on every day. The Delaware Districts encourage you to take time to learn about your local community water supply sources, and to volunteer for river, stream or beach clean-up days, and to realize: You can make a difference.
During the month of April, DACD President Wendy O. Baker will lead a stewardship celebration including a proclamation from Governor Jack Markell declaring this important observance in Delaware. The celebration will also recognize the recipients of the annual Governor’s Conservation Awards at a special ceremony on Wednesday, April 17 at the Delaware Agricultural Museum and Village in Dover.
Age-appropriate activity books, posters, calendars, bookmarks, activity placemats and other items are available for a very small fee through NACD to promote the Stewardship Week theme. To learn more and preview the available materials, as well as download the free educators guide, you can visit http://www.nacdnet.org/stewardship/2013/index.phtml.
For more information about Stewardship Week materials available through your local conservation district, call 302-832-3100, ext. 3 in New Castle County, 302-741-2600, ext. 3 in Kent County, or 302-856-3990 ext. 3 in Sussex County. For more information about Stewardship Week or the conservation awards, please contact Martha Pileggi, DACD administrative assistant, at 302-739-9921. For additional information about the National Association of Conservation Districts, please visit www.nacdnet.org
“Clean water is important to everyone,” said National Association of Conservation Districts President Earl Garber. “Watersheds come in all shapes and sizes. They cross county, state and national boundaries. Every inch of the land on planet Earth is part of a watershed. In the continental U.S., there are 2,100 watersheds. If we include Hawaii, Alaska and Puerto Rico, the count rises to 2,267. No matter where you are right now, you are in a watershed.”
Thinking about attending this year’s DAEE conference on March 2? This lineup should definitely convince you to join us. Registration is available here.
Each year, the Delaware Nature Society introduces tens of thousands of children to the wonders of our natural environment. Be a part of our team!
Volunteer Guides work with staff to lead activities for school and scout groups throughout the year at Ashland Nature Center in Hockessin, Coverdale Farm in Greenville, and at the DuPont Environmental Education Center in downtown Wilmington. Scheduling is flexible.
Call David Pragoff, School & Public Group Team Leader, at 302-239-2334 x133 or davidp@delawarenaturesociety.org, to find out more!
The Division of Fish and Wildlife works to manage and improve wildlife populations, habitats and recreational facilities in its Wildlife Management Areas throughout the state – and you can help! Become a Wildlife Volunteer and be part of restoration efforts that will have a lasting impact for generations to come. Volunteer projects are open to the public and/or can also be scheduled for individual groups. For questions or to volunteer, contact Lynne Staub at 302-735-3600 or lynne.staub@state.de.us.
Seasonal Projects: Volunteers are needed for habitat management projects primarily in the Fall, Winter and early Spring. Year round and seasonal wildlife monitoring volunteer opportunities are also available with the Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program and with Division’s environmental education programs.
Volunteer Calendar: The Division of Fish & Wildlife has an online Volunteer Calendar of Events that can be viewed on the volunteer website. Projects and events are listed monthly and provide helpful information on project details, timelines and contacts.
Volunteer Email Listserv: Interested receiving emails to learn about upcoming volunteer opportunities? Sign up for the Volunteer Email Listserv and find out about projects in advance! To sign up, click on the Listserv link on the volunteer website.
Summer Fair
Blue Ball Barn
Saturday, February 23, 9:30 am – 12 Noon
Discover summer’s fun local camps, educational groups, sports clubs and nearby parks and playgrounds. There will be activities, prizes, and demonstrations throughout the day. This free event is a great way to learn what adventures summer can hold! FREE EVENT. For information contact us at DNREC_WilmingtonProg@state.de.us or 302-577-7020.
Quilt Documentation Project
Blue Ball Barn
March 9, 8:30 am – 3 pm
Delaware State Parks’ Fee Season is in effect.
Help capture the cultural richness of the State of Delaware by bringing your pre-1950, Delaware made quilts to be documented. A small donation to the Quilt Documentation Project will be requested to document quilts from other states. Bring your quilt, information about the quilt maker and his/her family and the history of the quilt. While you wait, trained volunteers will photograph the quilt and gather pertinent information.
The Delaware Quilt Documentation Project is a collaborative effort between the University of Delaware, and the Delaware State Division of Historic and Cultural Affairs. To register for a timed slot please contact, Fran Mayhew at mayhew@udel.edu or (302)368-8423.
Geology and Earth’s Dynamic Systems
Teacher In-Service
March 16, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
This workshop will showcase geology and earth systems (third grade through middle school) programs offered at Alapocas Run and White Clay Creek State Park. This workshop is outside and active. Lunch and transportation will be provided. Space is limited to 20 participants. For more information or to register, please contact Breanne Preisen at Breanne.Preisen@state.de.us or (302) 739-9192.
