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Delaware Reforestation Projects

Seventy percent of Delaware's original forests have been depleted and converted to farms, urban dwellings or commercial developments. According to Delaware's Division of Fish and Wildlife, what remains is isolated and decaying, unable to healthily sustain wildlife. State, federal and environmental groups are actively working on programs that conserve The First State's forests and wetlands.

  1. Milford Neck Preserve

    • The Nature Conservancy Delaware Chapter is reforesting 60 acres of farmland in central Delaware's Milford Neck Preserve by growing 55,000 native trees and shrubs to offset the carbon emitted by fossil fuel-burning cars on nearby highways. The project was started by University of Delaware sustainable development students, and volunteers have been planting willow oak, white oak, tulip poplar, red maple, sassafras, arrow-wood viburnum and winterberry holly trees. When the project is complete in April 2012, it is expected to annually offset 17,500 tons of carbon emission, equal to that produced by 2,833 cars. The Milford Neck Preserve is a 10,000-acre conservation area that is both publicly and privately owned.

    Delaware Adopt-A-Wetland Program

    • The Delaware Adopt-A-Wetland program provides a multitude of services to reforest wetlands and is open for all community organizations, businesses and individuals. The program does cleanup, protective monitoring, nature study, plant and animal surveys, habitat enhancement and water quality monitoring. Previously, the program, in conjunction with the Delaware Native Plant Society, created artificial and natural wetlands at Big Oak County Park outside of Smyrna.

    Great Cypress Swamp

    • Delaware's largest tract of contiguous forest is in the process of having 86 acres of wetland habitat restored. An additional 340 acres are being preserved via hydrologic restoration. The program, known as the Atlantic White Cedar Project, implements ditch plugging, tree planting and water control structure installation to preserve Great Cypress Swamp. The forest is home to several peculiar species to Delaware, including the bald eagle and Swainson's warbler. The AWCP will also improve water quality in the Pocomoke River and Delaware Inland Bays.

    Delaware's Landowner Incentive Program

    • The Delaware's Landowner Incentive Program, offered by the state's Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Concerns, provides financial aid to private landowners to restore natural habitat for wildlife. The program converts farmland to forests and improves water quality to ensure reforestation and provide better acclimation for animals.

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