Sussex Conservation District native tree giveaway set for Oct. 12

GEORGETOWN — The Sussex Conservation District announces its second annual native tree giveaway, as part of the Tree for Every Delawarean Initiative (TEDI).

The event will take place Saturday, Oct. 12 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Vanderwende-Evans Conservation Center, located at 23818 Shortly Road, Georgetown. The event will be held rain or shine.

Over 700 native trees will be available, distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, with a limit of one tree per person. Each tree will include a tag with a QR code that links to the TEDI Tracker. Recipients are encouraged to register their tree on the TEDI Tracker, which documents both organized and independent tree plantings across the state. To date, over 240,000 trees have been planted through this initiative.

“We’re thrilled to host this event again after the overwhelming success of our first TEDI giveaway, where 200 trees were claimed in just thirty minutes,” said Jessica Watson, Sussex Conservation District Sediment and Stormwater Program Manager.

“Native trees are vital to Delaware’s environmental resilience, providing essential benefits such as shade, wildlife habitat, temperature regulation, air quality improvement, and stormwater runoff mitigation. I urge all Sussex County residents to participate in this initiative and help us build a more sustainable future.”

Attendees are encouraged to visit the TEDI website for information on how to select, plant, and care for their trees. Six tree species will be available in one- and three-gallon sizes, including American sycamore, red maple, river birch, sweetbay magnolia, tulip poplar, and willow oak. Additionally, three-gallon white oaks will also be available.

The Tree for Every Delawarean Initiative is a collaborative effort involving the Urban and Community Forestry (UFC) programs of the Delaware Forest Service, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control’s Division of Climate, Coastal, and Energy, along with other key stakeholders. For more information, visit de.gov/tedi .

For further details about the giveaway, visit sussexconservation.org/events or contact Siobhan Kelley at 302-856-2105, ext. 122.