Freshwater Mussel Workshops in May!

Partnership for the Delaware Estuary is hosting two freshwater mussel workshops next month, one in PA at Green Valleys Association, and the other in DE at the Brandywine Creek State Park Nature Center.  As a crucial part of their Freshwater Mussel Recovery Program, surveying local streams for the presence or absence of these elusive bivalves will help scientists determine which streams are in need of and suited for mussel restoration.  With so many stream miles to cover, they have a need for trained "citizen scientists" to help survey local creeks and upload their findings (or lack thereof) to the online data portal.  As if all this isn't enough fun, there is always the potential thrill of finding a species of mussel thought to be long gone from our creeks - an ecological treasure hunt!

The White Clay Creek has and continues to be surveyed for the presence of freshwater mussels. Attend one of these workshops and learn how to help us in our efforts to learn more about these species and promote their recovery!

Learn more about the program at Partnership for the Delaware Estuary's website and download this flyer to learn how to sign up for one of the upcoming May Mussel Workshops!

**please note the original location at Delaware Nature Society has been changed to the Brandywine Creek State Park Nature Center!

Come join us for an interpretive walk in Goddard Park, London Grove Township.

Join White Clay Wild and Scenic for a fun and interpretive hike throughout Goddard Park. Identify native plants, monitor stream health, search for animal tracks, and MORE! Learn how woodlands and meadows help clean and protect the water you drink. Goddard Park was selected as the first location in a series of hikes we plan to offer throughout the watershed at various municipal parks, because of the trails, woodlands, meadows, and on site recreational and water resources that make it a wonderful family friendly place for an educational “walk in the park”.

Location: The Park is located on the West side of Wickerton Road (Route 841) and stretches from the intersection of State Road down to the intersection of East & West Avondale Road. Please meet at the parking lot closest to State Road (near the doggy park/playground area).

Date: Saturday, June 8, 2013 POSTPONED DUE TO HEAVY RAIN AND POOR TRAIL CONDITIONS!!! Rescheduled for Saturday, August 10, 2013

Time: 9 a.m.

Downloadable Flyer (Please note flyer has original date and time!)

Hike is limited to 25 people.  If you have any additional questions please contact Shane Morgan at mpc@whiteclay.org. Registration required. Please register below.

Planting Opportunity, Hunt at Louviers

Planting Opportunity, Hunt at Louviers Neighoborhood, Newark, DEApril 26, 12:30-4 p.m. and April 27, 9-12 a.m.

The City of Newark Stormwater Program needs your volunteering support to help improve water quality in Jenney’s Run, a tributary to the White Clay Creek. Several stormwater detention basins, which work to control stream flooding during times of heavy rainfall, are in need of improvements. Such improvements include re-grading, removal of invasive plant species and habitat restoration. Water quality improvements will be achieved through bioremediation, using a combination of reintroduced native plant communities and a lengthening of the flow path.

Volunteers are needed for the native habitat restoration portion of the basin improvements. Volunteers will be digging small holes across the bottoms of the stormwater basins and planting plugs of native wildflowers and grasses.

The event will take place at two times:

Friday Afternoon, April 26th from 12:30-4pm Saturday Morning, April 27th from 9am-12pm

Locator Map:

Bring comfortable clothes, gloves and boots that you wouldn't mind getting dirty and wet. If you own a garden trowel please bring it since there will be a limited number supplied on-site. Parking for the event will be on Cullen Way (Newark, DE) so we request you carpool where possible and not block driveways or mailboxes. Access to the basins will be designated with signage and flagging, it is important to only use these designated access areas. The city will have personnel on hand to assist with any parking and access issues. 100 volunteers needed. Please click here to register.