Lenape Restormation Workparty in Delaware - Saturday 7/31

[jackbrau...@gmail.com]

Again passing along an invitation from the Lenape Indian Tribe of Delaware to come help out with a beautiful land restoration project about 1.5 hours drive from Philadelphia. A fun opportunity for hands-on decolonial work, more details below - Saturday 7/31 from 10 - 3. 

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Dear Friends,

Please join us for a Land Restoration Work Party at the Village of Fork Branch in the Lenape Indian Tribe of Delaware Census District.

Thank you to all volunteers! We've accomplished so much with your help, transforming a neglected half acre into a Native Edible Food Forest!

***Please pay very close attention to the Spotted Lantern Fly information at the bottom of this email***

When?

Saturday, July 31, 2021

10AM - 3 PM

Where?

Village of Fork Branch
5200-5240 W Denneys Rd

Dover, DE 19904

 

Video about the Restoration Project - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HJTqxDTGN4

Please send questions and respond with an RSVP so we know how many people to expect. simonpurc...@gmail.com 0r 610-348-8119

Location: 

The Village of Fork Branch is a sacred place surrounded by fresh-water wooded wetlands, endangered species, and prehistoric Lenape archeology sites. The cemeteries that remain, genealogically connect three state recognized Delaware Bay Tribes. Removing the invasive Ailanthus tree from this fresh-water wooded wetland, will catapult Lenape Indian Tribe of Delaware efforts to reseed fresh-water mussel beds and restore other native plants, animals, art forms, relationships, and ways of life.

2021 Goals:

Remove invasive plants, and remaining trash in preparation for Annual Memorial Sunday Celebration

Our efforts will complement the work the Tribe is doing with support from Immanuel Union UM Church, the University of Delaware, Delaware Humanities Forum, Partnership for the Delaware Estuary, and other organizations learning to support the local Tribe’s priorities.

What to Bring to the Work Party

• Water (there is no drinking water source on site
• Spring weather work clothes, plan for possible rain
• Work gloves
• Any tools useful for removing invasive trees, ie. grubbing hoe/mattock, shovel, handsaw, pruners, loppers, etc.
• Brown bag lunch/super, or snacks for yourself. There is a grocery store, pizza/hoagie shop, and Chinese place with public bathrooms within 5-minute drive. You are welcome to pick up food or order delivery to 5083 W. Denny's Rd., Dover, DE 19904.
• Lawn chair or picnic blanket, if desired

 

Covid Protocols

While most will be vaccinated, please bring a mask and be prepared to wear it when working in close proximity to others. Please bring hand sanitizer and, if possible, work gloves. We will have tools to share, but extra tools are helpful.

Parking 

There is limited parking on site. If parking fills up, we would be happy to shuttle you and your car to and from the Del Tech parking lot right down the street.

***Spotted Lanternfly Protocols***

This is extremely important! There are currently no lantern flies at Fork Branch and many of you will be coming from a quarantine area (southeast PA). Please educate yourself about what the spotted lantern fly looks like in all stages (currently as egg cases and possibly) and do a thorough check of your car before leaving. If you stop anywhere on the way, check thoroughly again. Another option, even safer, is to take your car through a carwash before entering Kent County, Delaware. Here is Penn State Extension’s website with all you need to know. https://extension.psu.edu/spotted-lanternfly Please treat this with the same gravity as the Coronavirus Pandemic to protect trees and vineyards. Thank you.