Delmarva Power to Give Out Earth Day Gifts
Community Earth Day Events to receive free, dogwood seedlings

SALISBURY, Maryland - In celebration of Earth Day, Delmarva Power will distribute more than 6,200 white dogwood seedlings at environmental events throughout the month of April in Delaware, Maryland and Virginia. Over the last several years, Delmarva Power has given out approximately 84,000 tree seedlings at local Earth Day events.

"The trees are our gifts to the public and to Earth Day 2005," said Matthew Likovich, spokesman for Delmarva Power. "We encourage recipients to plant and nurture the donated seedlings because healthy, mature trees can help improve air quality and prevent soil erosion."

Likovich said Delmarva Power distributes white dogwood seedlings because they are an aesthetically pleasing, low-growing species that is less likely to interfere with power lines, thus helping the utility maintain electric service reliability and safety.

When planting the seedlings, Likovich said people should be aware of the location of overhead and underground electric wires. "Trees growing into power lines can cause electric service interruptions, and digging into underground lines can result in electric shock and injury," he added.

Support of Earth Day is just one way in which Delmarva Power is committed to environmental stewardship. Throughout the year, Delmarva Power works in partnership with environmental and community groups on a variety of programs that benefit the environment. These programs include beach and river cleanups, wildlife habitat preservation, tree maintenance and initiatives to support the replenishment of bird and fish populations.

***Click here for a list of tree seedling distribution sites.