The award supports to further develop an in-house tree nursery to provide a variety of native tree seedling species to support tree planting initiatives within the state forest action plan strategy…

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Eastern Region (Region 9) awarded $237,000 under the Cooperative Forestry Assistance program (CFDA 10.664) to the Agriculture Delaware Department Forest Service Division to advance forest management and community forestry initiatives in Delaware. The award, effective September 2, 2025 through December 31, 2029, supports the development and expansion of an in-house tree nursery to produce native tree seedling species aligned with Delaware's State Forest Action Plan Strategy Matrix. Key deliverables include supplying seedlings for state tree-planting initiatives, supporting the Delaware Tree Stewards Program, and continuing focused projects that promote healthy tree canopy development and management across the state.

The funding also supports the design and delivery of intensive workshops centered on forestry careers and green jobs training that connect to existing state programs, while advancing forest products industry promotion and strengthening communication between forest landowners and foresters through media outreach and advertising. Additionally, the award funds landowner education initiatives addressing climate change impacts, forest health concerns, and the importance of active, sustainable forest management practices. These coordinated activities serve to enhance forest health, support rural economic development, and promote sustainable forestry practices across Delaware's non-federal forest lands.

The award supports to further develop an in-house tree nursery to provide a variety of native tree seedling species to support tree planting initiatives within the state forest action plan strategy matrix; supports the delaware tree stewards program and continues the focused funded projects in the state that promote healthy tree canopy and management; support the development of intensive workshops centered around forestry and green jobs and correlate them to existing programs; promotes the forest products industry and improve forest landowner forester contact through various media outlets and advertising techniques; and promotes landowner awareness of the pending impacts of changes in the climate, forest health concerns, and the importance of managing forests actively and sustainably.