The 2022 Annual Meeting was held Tuesday, November 15th at noon at the Dupont Environmental Education Center, beginning with a presentation at noon and business meeting following.CBR4 Bioblitz July 23rd
The Christina Conservancy teamed up with the Delaware Nature Society and Sarver Ecological to host a Bioblitz on Saturday, July 23rd from 3 to 6pm as part of Open Streets Wilmington at the 16th Street Bridge and Jessup Street. Scientists collected information on plant an animal species living along the Brandywine River to share with participants and inform the lower Christina and Brandywine Rivers Remediation, Restoration and Resilience (CBR4) plan.
An important part of the CBR4 project is understanding what plans and animals call the area home, tracking their population numbers, and identifying where they can be found in and around the river. One way to accomplish this is through a Bioblitz – a survey by volunteer professional naturalists to identify mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, insects, wildflowers, trees and shrubs on a publicly owned property.
Results were shared in real time with Open Streets participants at the Bioblitz table, where people also learned about iNaturalist, a free app developed by National Geographic that can be downloaded onto your smartphone and used to collect and report species data. At any time, users can upload an image of any animal or plant they see and include its location for others to view and identify. Download the app today to submit your sightings and learn more about plants and animals in and around the Christina and Brandywine Rivers here.
For details about this event, see https://openstreetswilmington.org/july-23-16th-st-bridge/.
2022 Cooch Environmental Scholarship Awarded
Congratulations to Caitlyn Zeller!
On June 14th the Christina Conservancy Board of Directors awarded the 2022 Edward W. Cooch, Jr. Environmental Scholarship to Caitlyn Zeller. Zeller is a senior at Middletown High School in Middletown, DE and will attend the University of Delaware to study Environmental Engineering.
Zeller has an outstanding academic record and has engaged in environmentally-focused coursework, summer-work and volunteer activities. Academically, Zeller enrolled in the Natural Resources Career Pathway and through her involvement has earned a certification in Ecology Conservation and Management through Ducks Unlimited. Additionally, she pursued AP Environmental Science while also serving as a leader in the pathways program. She competed in Delaware Envirothon and is an active member of Future Farmers of America (FFA) and competed in the Environmental and Natural Resources Career Development Event at the state, regional and national levels. During two consecutive summers, Zeller worked with Delaware State Parks Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) where she continued to deepen her environmental knowledge and awareness. Zeller’s volunteer activities included participation in FFA’s Adopt-A-Highway Program, tree plantings, the Delaware State Fair and a variety of activities related to improving Delaware’s natural resources. Through all her coursework and activities, it is clear that Caitlyn will be well-suited to achieve her goal of solving real world environmental problems.
Please join us in recognizing Caitlyn Zeller and honoring Edward W. Cooch, Jr. who was an avid environmentalist with a deep passion for the natural lands and water resources of the State of Delaware. Each year starting in 2012 this $1,500 scholarship is awarded to a student recognized by the scholarship committee who demonstrates the ideals that Ned Cooch carried out in his daily life. For more information on the scholarship, Caitlyn’s award, and past scholarship participants see http://www.christinaconservancy.org/scholarship/edward-w-cooch-jr-scholarship/.
To donate to the scholarship fund contact the ChristinaConservancyInc@gmail.com.