WILMINGTON — Delaware Nature Society will celebrate its first Earth Day of Giving and Action on Thursday.

On Earth Day, DelNature will host a giving and advocacy drive to celebrate and encourage support of their mission focused work in education, conservation, and advocacy. DelNature will host its annual meeting, virtually from 4:30 to 6 p.m. on this day, honoring State Rep. Valerie Longhurst and two local environmental educators with special remarks by Delaware’s U.S. Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester.

In addition to Rep. Longhurst, DelNature will be honoring two outstanding teachers, Katie Pollock, University of Delaware Lab School, and Kerry Wilson, St. Anne’s Episcopal School will be awarded the 2021 Environmental Educator Award. The Earth Day of Giving and Action will include a day long social media campaign with links and information on what you can do to help protect the environment.

In partnership with New Castle County and County Executive Matt Meyer, DelNature will be hosting the annual Middle Run Tree Planting on Saturday, April 24, 9 a.m. to noon.

Since 1991, thousands of volunteers have helped plant about 55,000 trees at this New Castle County park located near Paper Mill and Possum Park roads in Newark. Increasing forest habitat provides food and shelter for a wide variety of native wildlife. Tree plantings have myriad other benefits, including making a positive impact on climate change. Volunteers are needed to help dig, plant and water trees. Volunteers are asked to bring a shovel and a jug of water to water the first tree and to later use for refills. Pre-registration is required. Masks and social distancing will be mandatory during the event.

To learn more about the Earth Day of Giving and Action, Annual Meeting and Middle Run Tree Planting, visit here.