Sara Bluhm, SCLT Executive Director; Mark Chura, SCLT Director of Conservation; and Joe Francis, DOS Board President
The Delaware Ornithological Society (DOS) has donated $50,000 to support the preservation of Ard Na Gréine, an 88-acre open space along the Georgetown-Lewes Trail, thanks to funds raised during its 2024 Delaware Bird-A-Thon.
The contribution was made to the Sussex County Land Trust (SCLT), which is leading the $9 million effort to acquire and restore the property. The name Ard Na Gréine, meaning “the rise that catches the sun” in Irish Gaelic, reflects the site’s unique beauty and ecological significance. Located near Ebenezer Branch and the Great Marsh, the land will eventually feature public trail access, a parking area, native habitat restoration, and opportunities for passive recreation.
“This is grassroots conservation at its best,” said Sara M. Bluhm, Executive Director of the SCLT. “The Delaware Ornithological Society’s generous donation is an extraordinary investment in Sussex County’s natural heritage—and will help us attract additional support to move this project forward.”
Ard Na Gréine property outline
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Much of the funding came from the Sussex County-based birding team “Road Runners,” led by Sue Gruver. Their dedication exemplifies the community-led spirit behind the Bird-A-Thon, an annual event that mobilizes birders across the state to raise money for local conservation by identifying as many bird species as possible within a 24-hour window.
DOS President Joe Francis emphasized the broader goal behind the event: “Birding is about more than just counting species – it’s about protecting the places they depend on. We’re proud to partner with the Sussex County Land Trust on this meaningful project.”
The 2025 Delaware Bird-A-Thon will take place May 3–11. All experience levels are welcome to participate. Registration and more information can be found at dosbirds.org/conservation/bird-a-thon.
To learn more about the Ard Na Gréine preservation effort or make a contribution, visit sclandtrust.org.
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Danielle Valletti is a Journalism student in her Senior year at Penn State University. She is passionate about telling stories on digital platforms in a way that connects people to their communities. She is a social media expert with experience managing programs for clients in several states.
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