Latest news with #BrandywineConservancy
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Popular festival in Wilmington canceled days ahead of event. Organizers cite safety concerns
The 5th annual Brandywine River ShadFest, scheduled for May 18 in Brandywine Park, has been canceled due to ongoing construction under the I-95 bridge, organizers announced. The Delaware Department of Transportation began the project in October 2024 to repair and paint the underside of the bridge spanning Brandywine Park. With work expected to continue through fall 2025, organizers cited safety concerns and disruption to the event experience as reasons for the cancellation. While alternative locations were considered, organizers decided that maintaining the event's traditional venue in Brandywine Park was important for community accessibility and programming, particularly the popular fishing lessons. According to organizers, ShadFest is Delaware's largest environmental festival drawing more than 2,000 attendees, including over 1,000 children. The free event raises funds for the Brandywine River Restoration Trust, which works to restore shad migration to the river and provide environmental education to underserved youth in Wilmington. Activities have included fish seining demonstrations, fish printing, a shad obstacle course and hands-on environmental exhibits. The event was founded in partnership with the Brandywine Conservancy, Hagley and the University of Delaware Water Resources Center. Past festivals have featured more than 25 participating organizations, including the Delaware Nature Society and the Sierra Club. Organizers say ShadFest will return in 2026. You can contact staff reporter Anitra Johnson at ajohnson@ This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Popular Wilmington festival ShadFest cancelled for 2025 season
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Penguin Court offers native plant sale, plans master naturalist course
Apr. 21—Home gardeners looking to add some local color to their flower beds might choose the purple blossoms of tall larkspur or the broad yellow petals of the wood poppy. They're two of the more than a dozen new species featured in this year's native plant sale at the Brandywine Conservancy's Penguin Court preserve. April 30 is the deadline to place online orders for plants, with prices beginning at $6.13 for most flowering varieties. "Penguin Court has grown more species of native plants than ever before," said Melissa Reckner, program manager at the site in the Ligonier Township community of Laughlintown. "We have over 110 species of native perennials, shrubs and trees, as well as eight herbs, three tomatoes — including the Brandywine heirloom variety — and three bell peppers to kickstart veggie gardens." Orders can be placed by visiting the conservancy website, and selecting Penguin Court Native Plant Sale on the "Events" page. Plant pick-up times will be on May 2 and 3 at Penguin Court. If you're looking for more information about plants that are native to Pennsylvania and northern Delaware, the conservancy has you covered with its new Brandywine Native Garden Hub, at The site has profiles of more than 250 plants, including growing conditions and benefits for wildlife. Penguin Court also is making plans to host an upcoming course for those interested in joining the Pennsylvania Master Naturalist program. Since 2019, 45 people have completed naturalist training there. Classes will meet Tuesday evenings from Aug. 12 through Oct. 28, with four Saturday field sessions planned. The limited-space course is for adults from Westmoreland and neighboring counties who want to learn about nature, enjoy the outdoors and join in natural resource protection efforts. Tuition for the training and a full year of programming is $425, with scholarships available and a $75 discount for those who sign up by the early deadline of April 25. May 12 is the final deadline to apply. Visit to learn more. Jeff Himler is a TribLive reporter covering Greater Latrobe, Ligonier Valley, Mt. Pleasant Area and Derry Area school districts and their communities. He also reports on transportation issues. A journalist for more than three decades, he enjoys delving into local history. He can be reached at jhimler@
