Heritage Shores gardeners support Sussex Preservation Coalition

The Four Seasons Gardeners of Heritage Shores in Bridgeville recently donated $500 to the Sussex Preservation Coalition.

Because the club’s mission is to conserve and protect the environment, it supports the coalition’s efforts to educate, advocate and impact county codes to preserve mature forests, protect wetlands and preserve natural open spaces.

Jill Hicks, coalition president, said, “Sussex County is losing 1,000+ acres of forests a year to development. Kent County, New Castle County and all surrounding states have forest protection ordinances. Sussex County has none, and so the clearing of valuable forests continues. SPC is actively working to bring the creation of a forest preservation ordinance to the forefront of Sussex County Council’s priorities in 2025. Unless connected at the surface to tidal waters, wetlands are no longer protected by the federal government. Being the lowest state in the nation, combined with a sinking shoreline, Sussex County is vulnerable to sea level rise and more storms, which are intensifying due to warming oceans. Wetlands act like sponges, slowing and preventing runoff and floods. Wetlands filter the water before it enters the waterways and Inland Bays. Wetlands provide essential habitats for Delmarva’s amazing biodiversity. Both wetlands and mature forests play an important role in the health of Delaware waterways, as well as the Chesapeake Bay. Sadly, Delaware has received the lowest grades in the nation for the health of its waterways.”

Check presentation attendees are (l-r) Kathy Polley, Four Seasons Gardeners president; Jill Hicks, Sussex Preservation Coalition president; and Jean Spratt, Four Seasons Gardeners treasurer.