News from Mt. Cuba Center

1) They're accepting applications for summer interns now until March 1st.
http://www.mtcubacenter.org/education/internships/

2) For bird enthusiasts: On February 11th, Mt. Cuba staff will be traveling to New Jersey for the day-long Cumberland Winter Eagle Festival.  The public is welcome to come along.  Purchase tickets here: http://www.museumtix.com/program/program.aspx?vid=827&pid=509512&pvt=mcc

Delaware Center for Horticulture brings a veggie garden to the "food desert" of Southbridge, Wilmington.

Good on them.  I used to have to travel to Southbridge once a week in a former career, and if there's a neighborhood in Wilmington that needs help, it's that one.  And not only did DCH and the Master Gardeners of NCCo team up to bring a big community garden to Southbridge, they installed a beautiful mural on the adjoining building.  It's worth clicking on the story just to see the mural.  Really well done!

Link to the story in the News Journal: http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20111225/GARDENER0103/112250311

Ever thought of doing a one-off volunteer job for the local environment?

If so, you can find out about such volunteer opportunities via a website maintained by DNREC's division of Fish and Wildlife.  These are events during which you can lend a hand to upkeep trails, plant trees, pull invasive weeds, set up a festival, etc. 

It's a good site to keep in your browsers 'favorites', to reference when you have extra time and a desire to be outdoors, doing something beneficial for the First State:
http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/fw/Volunteers/Pages/Calendar.aspx

There aren't actually many events listed now that the weather has gotten cold (and boy has it - it's hard to believe I was on Lewes beach earlier this week in summer clothes), so check this website again in the spring.  In the meantime, there's a weeding day, a reforestation project, and a festival (set-up volunteers needed) in late winter.

Many of the volunteer events take place in lower Delaware, but there are some NCCo opportunities to be found, such as the aforementioned day of weeding two invasive species in New Castle (of course, if you're anti-hunting, it might be a problem that this takes place at a hunter education and training center run by DNREC.  But my feeling about hunting is this: while I could not personally shoot an animal, I'm really glad there are people helping to keep the numbers of local deer down.  It has gotten really dangerous at night/early morning on the roads leading into and out of Wilmington.  I am actually way more wary of deer on the roads than of drunk drivers and texters, and that's sad.  So animal rights aside, it's just not feasable for me, personally, to be against a program that teaches safe hunting practices.  /soapbox).

Good news on the fracking of the Delaware River front.

Governor Markell his indicated his intention to vote against a proposed plan to frack the Delaware river (a controversial method of extracting gas that has untested environmental effects).  The Delaware River Basin Commission has, in turn, postponed their planned meeting around this subject. 

Environmental shorts.

Against fracking of the Delaware River basin?

Visit http://savethedelaware.wordpress.com/ for suggestions on how to help fight a proposed plan to implement hydraulic fracking - a method of gas extraction that puts the drinking water of the Philadelphia and NYC regions in jeopardy.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Jobs for environmental executive types:

In other news, the Delaware Nature Society is looking for a new executive director.  Details here: http://www.nature.org/aboutus/careers/index.htm

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

New online guide to native plants is launched:

The Mt. Cuba Center has just announced the unveiling of Mt. Cuba Connects, which is an interactive website that teaches residents about native Delaware plants.  Find out more here:  http://www.mtcubacenter.org/education/distance-learning/

Excellent news for residents of Wilmington's southwest suburbs

Proposed condo development on the site of the old Pike Creek Golf Course, which surrounds several existing townhouse, condo, and apartment communities between Limestone and Polly Drummond roads, has been largely blocked by New Castle County courts this week.  The ruling allows for 28 acres to be developed as the current ownership sees fit (and not operated as a golf course, as some had hoped), but that still leaves 177 acres of designated open space.  An appeal to Delaware's Supreme Court is expected, but for now, most of the old golf course will remain open. 

Here's hoping the county manages to buy the land - Carousel Park West, perhaps?

 Full story from the News Journal here.

Tuesday: National Recycle Day event at the riverfront.

10-2pm, Shipyard Shops parking lot, Wilmington.
Goodwill, Office Movers, and a company that shreds documents will be there.

The public can bring papers to be shredded, or used office equipment and furniture to be donated.  What Goodwill and Office Movers can't use will be disposed of or further recycled.

Panel discussion on how sea-level rise could effect Delaware, and what steps are being taken, this Wednesday.

From the Delaware Nature Society:

'How is Delaware preparing for sea-level rise? Join us at DEEC Sept. 28 for "When the Water Rises." This panel discussion will include reps from National Wildlife Federation, Partnership for the Delaware Estuary, Widener Environmental Law Clinic and DNREC. Call 656-1490 to register.'

DNS's update didn't include time or location, so you're best off calling the number if you're interested.

Janssen's Market in Greenville now composting their vegetable trimmings.

From Janssen's:

"Janssen's Market is now composting 100% of our produce trimmings..including the orange rinds from our fresh squeezed orange juice. We are on track to be composting 100% of our kitchen food waste by September 1."

Good move, Janssen's.   Now just reduce those cheese counter prices a hair (even DiBruno Bros. are lower), and you and I are cool.

UD publishes guide to living green on the UD campus.

UD students, or others just interested in getting some green-living tips, can download the PDF at this link:
http://www.udel.edu/has/greenguide.html

New iTunes app from the State of DE leads you directly to the closest fresh produce.

It's called 'Delaware Fresh', and features the locations of over 80 farm stands and markets in Delaware that feature fresh, local produce.  Best yet - it's free.  What I like about it is that you could go down to the beach, where you're not necessarily as aware of the different produce stands, say "Man, I'd like to get some fresh watermelon to take on the beach, and I hate to get it at Food Lion when I know there are a bunch of places around here where I can buy a watermelon that was on the vine this morning.  But where's the nearest farm stand?"  So you open the Delaware Fresh app, and voila.  No more driving up and down Coastal Highway because you think you remember seeing a stand somewhere last summer.

Here's the app:

http://itunes.apple.com/app/delaware-fresh/id446665507

Delaware Greenways unveils historic farm near old New Castle.

The Penn Farm, a 112 acre farm that is one of the oldest active farms in the country, is owned by the Trustees of the New Castle Commons.  However, Delaware Greenways have taken over the management of the farm and turned it into an education resource to teach Delawareans about healthy and local eating.  Why is it called The Penn Farm?  Because it's the last remaining of the farms that was originally laid out as a tenant farm by William Penn himself.  As such it's an important piece of Delaware history, so it only makes sense for it to be open to the public.

The Penn Farm, located on Frenchtown Rd (273), won't just be frozen in time and used for education, however.  It will continue to operate as a farm, with produce available at a local market called Tract 6.

Read more at Delaware Greenway's website: http://www.delawaregreenways.org/pennfarm.html

Delaware Center for Horticulture posts video of early progress in one of their urban gardens.

This particular garden is located at 13th & Brandywine.  Looking good. 

While the central location for the DCH is located on DuPont St. in Trolley Square (a block and a half behind Logan House - really gorgeous spot, too), they operate these urban gardens in rougher neighborhoods, and teach residents of those neighborhoods how to take care of them.  It's a pretty awesome program.  For more info about the Delaware Center for Horticulture, visit: http://www.thedch.org/

------------------------------------------------

By the way, for job seekers: they're looking for someone to work part-time this summer in teaching 8th graders how to garden.  Here's the description: http://www.thedch.org/who-we-are/careers-internships/help-assistant

-----------------------------------------------

And don't forget that the deadline to enter the City Gardens Contest is Friday.  View my previous post on the contest: http://wilmingtonic.blogspot.com/2011/06/for-city-dwellers-with-gardens-deadline.html

Tickets go on sale today for Saturday's "Tip-A-Canoe" day on the Brandywine, with performance by Hoots and Hellmouth.

Date: Saturday June 16, noon to 11pm.

This event benefits the Brandywine Conservancy, and is put on every year by the Young Friends of the Brandywine, which is an off-shoot of the Brandywine Conservancy.  From their social networking page:

"Tip-A-Canoe and Barbecue, too!, first held in 1999, has grown into the must-attend event of the summer. Attendees come from all over the country and Young Friends plan their vacations around the July weekend when hundreds take to the Brandywine River for a leisurely afternoon canoeing from West Chester to Chadds Ford. The day cumulates with an exuberant evening of barbecue, live music and dancing.

Tip-A-Canoe and Barbecue, too!, spotlights the Conservancy’s integral relationship with the Brandywine River. It is a family-friendly event for all ages. Back again this year will be the rambunctious energy of the popular band, Hoots and Hellmouth.

The funds raised from this event benefit the Brandywine Conservancy allowing us to continue to conserve the natural and cultural resources of the Brandywine River watershed. We invite you to join us".

UPDATE:  Tickets range from $55 - $90 depending on if you're a member or non-member, and depending on whether you want to participate in the canoeing or just in the BBQ/ Hoots concert.  here's the link for tickets:  http://brandywinemuseumshop.org/BrowsePage.aspx?searchtype=navitem&navitemid=1000056

Saturday: "Mushroom Walk", the 3rd in the "Wild Foraging" walk series at Bucktoe Creek Preserve.

Info copied from their website because there are a lot of details that I could misreport if I try to give my own synopsis:

"Registration: 

Register by calling TLCforSCC at 610-347-0347 or by emailing Louise Scanes at education@tlcforscc.org

Cost: 

$15 TLC members/$20 non-members or $75 for all three walks and Wild Foods Dinner

Location: 

Bucktoe Creek Preserve

Description: 

The final walk is an Edible Mushroom walk being led by Glenn Boyd and Terri Layton of the New Jersey Mycological Society. Hunt for common and elusive fungi on a June afternoon. Learn what to look for prior to the mushroom emerging so you can find them easily in the future and how they can be used for food and medicine. After the walk we will review the mushrooms we found so you can take notes."

The Wild Foods Dinner will follow from 5-7pm.  Contact Bucktoe Creek if you're interested in this, because I can't tell from the blurb if this will be open to those who only show up for the final walk. 

For the environmentally minded: New blog by staffers at the Brandywine Conservancy

This new blog aims to provide "field notes, observations and land management advice", and it's doing a good job so far.  Check it out:

http://www.stewardshipchronicles.blogspot.com/

Small food market on Kirkwood Hwy to host worm-composting workshop on Tuesday.

I feel like I haven't been posting anywhere near the number of outdoors/gardening/green posts I was doing a couple of weeks ago, but here's a good one to make up for the lapse:  Delaware Local Food Exchange, which is a small, local-foods market within a health food store on Kirkwood Highway, and an endearing endeavor besides, is hosting a "vermaculture workshop", dealing in the subject of compost-by-worms. 

This workshop will take place on Tuesday, at 2400 Kirkwood Hwy (inside the "Nature's Way" store, at the southern end of Elsmere near 141), from 5-6pm.   Technically you were supposed to pre-register by the end of the day Saturday (which is the first I heard of it), but it sounds as if there are still a few spots open, so call 302-358-1042 if interested.  It does cost $30, but this gets you a worm composting kit. 

Their blurb:

" Worm Composting or "vermaculture" is a great way to compost on a small scale. Worm composting is faster than traditional composting, has no odor, is ideal for indoor composting, and is a great way for kids to learn about the composting process and to have a super, low maintenance pet!

Join the Exchange as we welcome worm composting e...xpert Dr. Susan Rubin www.drsusanrubin.com. Dr. Rubin will lead us in a hands on workshop where we will learn about the importance of composting and the best way to make a productive worm composting system as we prepare our bins for our worms. Each participant will leave with their own bin of worms ready to compost your household produce scraps in to highly nutrient dense, non toxic fertilizer that will help plants flourish and resist pests.

Where: The Exchange (inside Nature's Way)
2400 Kirkwood Hwy., Wilmington 19805

When: Tuesday, May 24th 5:00-6:00pm

Cost: $30.00 includes workshop and your own bin of worms ready to
take home and start composting.

How: Pre-register at the Exchange during open hours (thur 1-6, fri 1-7, sat 10-5) until
Saturday, May 21st. If you can't make it to the Exchange but would like
to register please contact me (Karen) at 302-358-1042 or
karen@delocalfoodexchange.com."

Dust off your bike helmet: Friday is National Bike To Work Day.

May is Bike Month, and Friday is the designated day on which car commuters are encouraged to bike to work. 

Wilmington's organized events:

"Group ride/morning reception/free & secure bike parking/afternoon BBQ. Please consider riding to work on May 20th and meeting up with like minded cyclists at the Bike Boutique from 7:30 to 9 a.m. (11th & Orange) for light refreshments provided by Bike Wilmington. Additionally, the Bike Boutique is offering free secure bike parking from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. After work, join us in the Brandywine Park for BBQ/beverages and the Wilmington Grand Prix's kickoff event starting at 4 p.m. - the Monkey Hill Time Trial (at the intersection of North Van Buren Street and Stadium Drive). Anyone who is interested in riding into work as a group from the Pennsylvania Avenue Park-n-Ride should contact Mike Leventry for more information at mleventry@wilmingtonde.gov"

Newark's organized event:

"Bike-to-Work Day Celebration in Newark Get some exercise. Give the atmosphere and your budget a break. Stop by the Trabant University Center patio to enjoy light refreshments, meet other bicycle commuters, and show your support for bicycling in Newark and in Delaware. See you there! Don’t forget to wear your helmet. organized by the Newark Bicycle Committee in partnership with the Delaware Department of Transportation and TMA Delaware.  Contact Mark Deshon with any questions at deshon@udel.edu". 

 -----------------------------------------------

These are the only two official celebrations in the state, but the main point is just to bike to work, if at all possible.  If you would like to check on events planned for your state, use the "find events" search feature at the website of the League of American Bicyclists:  http://www.bikeleague.org/index.php

Will I be participating, you ask?  The easy answer is that I'm not scheduled to work on Friday.  But if I was working, it would be difficult - I work in a job which requires one to be impeccably groomed, and my commute takes a half hour by car.   Probably a better gesture would be for me to take the bus on Bike To Work Day.

The Delaware Center for Horticulture is giving away small white oak trees.

They have a limited supply, so they're only offering it to "Facebook friends".   Join their FB page here:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Wilmingtonic-Blog/107351306015947#!/pages/Delaware-Center-for-Horticulture/111911201884



According to the DCH, Delaware was once covered with these white oak trees, and they're a great tree for supporting native wildlife.   They're located behind Trolley Square, on DuPont St.

The Delaware Center for Horticulture is giving away small white oak trees.

They have a limited supply, so they're only offering it to "Facebook friends".   Join their FB page here:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Wilmingtonic-Blog/107351306015947#!/pages/Delaware-Center-for-Horticulture/111911201884

According to the DCH, Delaware was once covered with these white oak trees, and they're a great tree for supporting native wildlife.   The DCH is located behind Trolley Square, on DuPont St.