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Trees
Planted in Middletown
Grant
funds were acquired to plant trees throughout the
community
of Middletown Village
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Residents
of southern New
Castle County can’t help but be
aware of the many new developments “cropping up” on
land that historically has been used for agriculture. While
many are excited about the economic opportunities that come with
residential and business growth, opportunities for environmental
and water quality improvements with these projects are often lost.
For example, trees planted in new residential communities
are vital for the health of the region because they provide a
wide array of benefits, but many new developments lack street and
lawn trees.
The
City of Middletown assisted the Middletown Village beautification
effort by distributing the trees |
Trees
are critical to the health and proper function of watersheds. In
urban areas, trees can reduce stormwater runoff, clean and cool
the air, and provide critical wildlife habitat. In
rural areas, forests protect water supplies, reduce flooding,
replenish ground water aquifers, provide recreation and wildlife
habitat, and generate numerous wood products. By filtering
pollutants from ground water, storing water and nutrients,
protecting soils, flood plains, and streams, and providing
aesthetic and other human needs, trees bring significant benefits
to our lands, waters and communities.
Volunteers
hard at work planting one of the trees used in the project
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One
community in the Middletown area decided to improve a neighborhood
with trees. The Middletown
Village Civic Association,
with assistance from 48 volunteers and the Town
of Middletown,
planted 68 native trees within its five parks in October. Funding
for the project was made possible by a grant from the Department
of Agriculture Delaware
Urban and Community Forestry Program. The trees
were planted primarily to beautify the parks, but will
help buffer highway noise and help improve air and water
quality in the watershed. The Middletown Village
Civic Association plans to follow this project up with a
comprehensive plan to improve its natural and recreational
areas.
68
trees were planted with everyone's help
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If your
community is interested in planting trees to beautify your neighborhood
and help improve the natural surroundings where you live, financial
and technical help is available. Please
contact the following organizations:
Bryan Hall
Delaware Forest Service
Urban and Community Forestry Program
(302) 349-5754
New Castle County Conservation District
(302) 832-3100
Sussex County Conservation District
(302) 856-3990
Kent
County Conservation District
(302) 697-6176
Susan Love
Delaware
Coastal Programs
(302) 739-3451
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