Forest Service’s FY14 Annual Report

2014 DFS Annual Report

Delaware Forest Service FY14 Annual Report

The Delaware Forest Service has released its new annual report that highlights its major programs and activities for the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2014.

With its dedicated staff, the Forest Service continued to provide outstanding service to residents of the First State and to fulfill its mission to conserve, protect, and enhance Delaware’s forests through education, management, and professional assistance.

For example, in FY14 the Delaware Forest Service:

  • Awarded 18 urban and community forestry grants totaling $80,647.
  • Supervised the planting of 127,500 seedlings on 238 acres of privately owned land in Delaware and wrote 14 forest stewardship plans covering almost 1,200 acres.
  • Assisted 34 of the 60 volunteer fire companies with wildfire suppression, helped 83 individuals complete basic courses in wildfire training through the Delaware State Fire School, and dispatched two crews to battle wildfires in Alaska, Utah, and Idaho.
  • Hosted over 34,500 visitors at three State Forests totaling over 19,000 acres.
  • Provided 78 Smokey Bear fire education programs to almost 8,000 students and involved 105 classes from more than 41 schools in the annual Arbor Day school poster contest

Thanks to the continued financial support of the State of Delaware’s Open Space Program, the DFS also purchased about 50 acres of forestland that is now permanently protected as part of Blackbird State Forest.

With ongoing assistance from the administration of Governor Jack Markell, members of the Delaware General Assembly, and the invaluable support of the U.S. Forest Service, the DFS will continue to assist the public and improve our forests.