Friends, watch this video to discover the beauty of the Delaware Botanic Gardens at Pepper Creek, a Sussex County Land Trust project that made it possible to bring the county, and state resources together around the issues of natural resources, conservation, climate change, and the impact of humankind on nature.

“Heidi is an incredible civic leader for both the Trust and for Sussex County. She is extremely passionate about the Trust’s mission and the Board could not have selected a better individual to serve as the Chair of our organization.

Furthermore, Heidi is well respected in her profession as a real estate land use attorney and is well liked by her peers, simply because she demonstrates confidence, honesty and integrity. But most importantly, Heidi loves Sussex County and truly wants to make a difference in advancing the mission of the Trust and making Sussex County a better place to live for everyone and future generations to come.”

 

“I think everyone reaches a point in their life when they want to give back to the community. You have a little time and interest in something and you put your action into participation in a way that you make a difference. No matter how little or how big, you start.” said Heidi.

This is what Heidi Gilmore, the SCLT Chairman, had to say about her friend and colleague:

 

“Casey, who was born and raised in Sussex County, was a natural person to lead the Land Trust over the past 6 years. Casey is the type of person that has deep roots in our County and his many interests in our local area reveal a multitude of hidden treasures our area has to offer. If Casey is flying over our area exploring through his love of being a pilot, he is always sharing a photo from high above. If Casey is driving across the State for work, he will stop and share something historic he found along his way. His love for banjo playing links us to a world gone by. I have such respect for the many layers of this fine, young man who leads the way in his profession and as a friend to many. His leadership of the Land Trust enabled the Trust to grow and connect with so many people. I hope the Trust can continue to reveal its many possible, varied connections for preservation to our County that were bloomed under his tenure.”

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The renovation of the 1880sWolfe House was a great collaboration between the state and the land trust through a curatorship program. It’s a great restoration of a great property and grounds.” Mark Chura, Executive Director, SCLT.

 

The Wolfe House is an 18th century farm house that was once owned by the Wolfe Family and was part of a larger farm known as Wolfe Glade or the Wolfe Tract. The restoration of the historic structure was a partnership between the Sussex County Land Trust and the Delaware Division of Parks when the Trust spearheaded the capital fundraising required to restore the house to its present condition. The property and lands surrounding the house are owned by the DE Division of Parks and the Trust has the pleasure of serving as a curator to the house and immediately surrounding lands. The Wolfe House now serves as the headquarters to the Sussex County Land Trust and is a great example of a private/public partnership

 

Over its 20-year history, the land trust has partnered with Sussex County Council, the State of Delaware and several nonprofit conservation agencies on 18 projects to preserve nearly 6,000 acres, including 2,000 acres of farmland, 2,000 acres of forest and 500 acres of wetlands.

“Mark Chura has served as our Executive Director for the past five years and has been instrumental in reorganizing and leading the Trust to new opportunities to advance the mission. Having spent a career working within the State of DE in the Division of State Parks, Mark has extensive knowledge and experience in land planning, project management and intergovernmental relations. Throughout his career, he has established countless relationships throughout all three counties in Delaware and his experience and these relationships have made him a very effective Executive Director for the Sussex County Land Trust. Specifically, I will give him a big KUDOS for his leadership in helping us secure, negotiate and structure all of our valuable partners.” said Casey Kenton, Sussex County Land Trust.

Located on the south side of the Nanticoke River, the Nanticoke Crossing Park is a 41 acre property that was acquired by the Sussex County Land Trust in partnership with the Chesapeake Conservancy, Sussex County Council, Mt. Cuba Center, the U.S. Navy, DE Open Space Program and DE Div. of Fish and Wildlife. The property is situated on the bank of the Nanticoke River overlooking the historic Woodland Ferry terminal with 1,900’ of meandering shoreline. The acquisition serves as a successful landmark collaboration by inter-governmental and non-profit organizations to preserve land in Western Sussex County for conservation and recreational use. The Trust is now spearheading a masterplan concept for the future of the property and hopes to begin hosting events on this beautiful property as early as this year.

What a WONDERFUL county we have!

When the Cannon-Maston House was built, this area of Sussex County was still a part of Maryland. It did not become a part of Delaware until the American Revolution. In many of its details, the house’s construction is much more typical of Maryland styles than Delaware styles, serving as a reminder of the contentious early history of this part of the state.

The home and the surrounding 59 acres were acquired by the Sussex County Land Trust in partnership with Sussex County Council in 2006 and the Trust is now moving forward with the restoration of the historic home with long term plans to make the property a historical and cultural center for interpreting our region’s rich agricultural heritage, and as a host site for community events. Ickford Park is a 15-20 minute drive from Nanticoke Crossing and both are a part of the Nanticoke Heritage Byway.

And if this beautiful kudos still didn’t convince you of how much Russ loves Sussex County, we have more.

 

This is what Russ had to say about this beautiful region:

My involvement with Ickford began 20 years ago, when I accompanied representatives of the University of Delaware’s Center for Historic Architecture and Design during an examination of the Cannon-Maston House. It was obvious to all at the time, that the building and its surrounding lands, which have changed little over the past three centuries, were worthy of preservation for future generations. With the pace of change affecting our landscape accelerating in recent years, the importance of this effort has grown as well. As a Sussex Countian with a lifelong interest in the past who was fortunate to have a career preserving our state’s history and telling its stories, this project is truly a labor of love.

 

Russ, we APPRECIATE you!