New state parks director to address Friends of CHSP group March 8

The Friends of Cape Henlopen State Park will hold its annual meeting from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Saturday, March 8, at the Biden Environmental Center in the park. Members and the public are invited to learn about FOCHSP and explore volunteer opportunities while enjoying coffee and donuts.

The featured speaker will be Matthew Ritter, newly appointed director of the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control’s Division of Parks and Recreation. FOCHSP member and Dark Skies Committee Chair Suellen Blackwood will lead a special discussion on the Dark Skies Initiative and its impact on the local community.

The Dark Skies Initiative is a global effort to reduce light pollution and protect the night sky, ensuring that residents and visitors can experience the natural beauty of the heavens. Beyond enhancing nighttime visibility, the initiative promotes wildlife conservation, safety and energy efficiency. Blackwood will discuss the importance of this effort in the Cape Henlopen area, and suggest ways that individuals and communities can contribute.

The meeting will also highlight the Friends’ recent accomplishments, and planned projects and events for 2025.

Learn more at fochsp.org.