FELTON — In recognition of Earth Month and as part of the Tree for Every Delawarean Initiative, elected officials and volunteers gathered Monday to plant trees at Killens Pond State Park.

In November, Gov. John Carney kicked off the project, with the goal of planting 1 million trees — or one tree for every state resident. The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control and the Department of Agriculture are adding hundreds of trees to that number through multiple plantings this spring, several at Delaware State Parks.

The governor encouraged all Delawareans to join the fight against climate change by planting trees this spring.

“Delaware is not only a coastal state, it is also the country’s lowest-lying state, and climate change is a very real threat to our future,” he said. “We need your help to reduce our carbon footprint and accomplish our commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 26% by 2025.

“One simple yet effective way you can help reach that goal is to plant trees in your yards, public spaces, schools and other places in your communities, the benefits of which will be seen for generations to come.”

Volunteers from Bank of America and Dover High School on Monday sowed about 100 trees on the Killens Pond property, a parcel recently acquired by DNREC’s Division of Parks and Recreation to expand the park west to U.S. 13 and to protect the main water source that feeds the pond, the Murderkill River.

“Trees play a crucial role in combating climate change, and this initiative planting is the perfect way to get new trees in the ground while recognizing volunteerism, the preservation of natural areas and open spaces, and Earth Month, which we celebrate every day at DNREC,” said the department’s secretary, Shawn Garvin.

“I am grateful for the Bank of America staff and Dover High School students who volunteered their time today to help expand Delaware’s tree canopy for the benefit of our planet and enjoyment of visitors to Killens Pond State Park.”

According to Agriculture Secretary Michael Scuse, “Since its inception, the Delaware Forest Service’s Urban & Community Forestry Grant Program has provided almost $1.85 million in matching tree grants for more than 585 projects in the First State — with more than 16,500 trees planted.

“This year, thanks to our cooperative partnerships with DNREC and the governor’s Tree for Every Delawarean Initiative, it is my pleasure to announce we will be providing almost $137,000 to fund 23 community tree projects, resulting in the planting of 2,950 trees.”

On Monday, the governor and secretaries planted a white oak tree, a species commonly found along the river.

The 52-acre newly acquired property, comprised of farmland and natural areas, lies within the riparian buffer of the Murderkill River and was purchased in 2020 through the Delaware Open Space Program, administered by the Division of Parks and Recreation. The land grows Killens Pond State Park to nearly 1,500 acres and expands recreational opportunities.

The trees planted Monday will further enhance the river’s water quality by expanding its protective buffer and will help Delaware reach its initiative goal, one key strategy of Delaware’s Climate Action Plan, which aims to offset the carbon emissions that are driving climate change.

The Tree for Every Delawarean Initiative is a partnership between the Department of Agriculture’s Urban & Community Forestry Program, the DNREC Division of Climate, Coastal and Energy and other stakeholders.

Individuals can add any trees they plant to the tracker here, which shows location and other information about trees planted around the state since 2020. The site here also provides information on tree-planting volunteer opportunities.