Dear Friends,
When we started Delaware Habitat Guardians, we came together around a vision of preserving a remarkable piece of forest for future generations. Thanks to your generosity and support, we truly believed that vision could become a reality.
Over the past two-plus years, we pursued every reasonable avenue to acquire the property. Despite countless conversations and negotiations, we were ultimately unable to complete the purchase. After much thought, we have made the difficult decision to conclude our efforts.
While this is not the outcome we had hoped for, we are deeply grateful to everyone who believed in this mission.
Together, your generous contributions and pledges brought our fundraising effort to nearly $300,000—a remarkable demonstration of community support. Your generosity brought us closer to achieving our goal than we ever imagined, and for that, we sincerely thank you.
Of that amount, approximately $26,000 was received in cash donations, with the balance consisting of pledged contributions that were never called upon.
Because the purchase will not move forward, Delaware Habitat Guardians will provide full refunds for cash donations of $200 or more made through GoFundMe or at our fundraising events. As with most fundraising events, raffle tickets, auction purchases, and other event-related purchases are not eligible for refunds.
Refund requests should be submitted by July 24th. Once all eligible refunds have been processed, any remaining donated funds will be contributed to another local land conservation project. We’ll share details about that project on our website and Facebook page.
To request a refund, please text both Melanie (609-658-4143 (609-658-4143)) and Paul (703-927-5158 (703-927-5158)) in the same conversation. Please include your full name and, if possible, the amount of your donation.
Thank you again for believing in this effort and for demonstrating what a committed community can accomplish when it comes together around a shared purpose. Although we were not able to achieve the outcome we hoped for, your generosity, encouragement, and commitment have been inspiring. We are deeply grateful for your support and proud of what this community accomplished together.
With gratitude,
Delaware Habitat Guardians
Founded in 2023, Delaware Habitat Guardians emerged from a group of concerned neighbors in Lewes, DE who want to preserve a parcel of mature forest and to protect an active eagle nest from development.
Here in Sussex County, Southern Delaware, we have seen the forests being bulldozed for new homes at an alarming rate. The rapid encroachment of human expansion is leaving the animals without sanctuary, pushing them further into human settlements in search of food and shelter. In a world where self-interest too often overshadows compassion, we know that together as compassionate human beings, we can make a difference.
There is a unique island of 6.8 acres of mature forest teeming with wildlife among the subdivisions in the Love Creek watershed area in Lewes DE. What was once implied to our communities as land that would go untouched now has a price tag which means its future is uncertain.
We are asking for your help to purchase this unique piece of land and protect it from bulldozers to leave this forest sanctuary and its wildlife residents safe for generations to come.
Once we reach our goal, we will work with a local land trust to donate this tract of land to them.
A team of people passionate about preservation have come together and decided to launch a GoFundMe Campaign to pool resources and purchase the land that is up for sale. The clock is ticking, and we are asking for your help to reach our goal of having this beautiful forest preserved forever.
If this irreplaceable 100-year-old forest and ecosystem is cut down, it cannot be replaced. The huge trees on this property create a home filled with wildlife including:
In addition, countless varieties of birds and insects. Without intervention, this wildlife oasis is at risk of being lost forever.
The forest is also important because it helps with stormwater mitigation, acting as a sponge to observe rainwater. In a sea of roofs, roads and other impervious surfaces, we must retain the forest. The forest also serves as a cool sanctuary, very important for minimizing the impacts of climate change.
The Inland Bays Watershed lost 18% of its forests from 1992 to 2017 (reference page 16), and development has only accelerated since then!
The largest tree on this property is a grandmother Water Oak, Quercus falcata which is 12'.5" feet around. The other largest trees around to be found on the property include:
Adding to the urgency of the situation, area developers have been ruthlessly clear-cutting hundreds and hundreds of acres of these mature trees to make way for more and more and more housing developments. I’m sure many of you have seen the same phenomenon in your local areas.
Initially, we worked with the owners who stated that they wanted to find a way to protect and preserve the land. However, they have now listed the property for sale without placing a conservation easement on it.
Together we can work to protect this sacred forest and secure a better future for our wildlife, for ourselves and all future generations. We are working with local resources to place this land in a permanent land conservancy.
We have a responsibility to all future generations to ensure that they inherit a world where forests and wildlife is treasured and thrives.
Our actions today shape the world they inherit tomorrow, and that becomes our legacy.
We must stand up and be the voice for those who cannot speak for themselves.
Go Fund Me Campaign:
As of December 21st we have raised $271,981
$246,000 of the amount above are good faith pledges. The balance sits in a high yield bank account until we
Please help us reach our goal!
WE ARE NOT CURRENTLY FUNDRAISING
If you prefer to donate outside of Go Fund Me and save the 2.9% fee, we have an opportunity to donate directly with Zelle - Our QR code is at the top of this message.
**IMPORTANT NOTE: If we are unable to achieve our goal, donator will have the option of a refund minus 2.9% GoFundMe service charge OR the funds will be donated to a local land trust supporting similar efforts.
Dear Community ....First and foremost—thank you.
Your pledge to Delaware Habitat Guardians is not just a donation—it's a meaningful step toward saving a rare, six+-acre, century-old forest. Your generosity fuels our mission and strengthens our resolve to preserve the natural legacy that is vanishing across Sussex County.
We're excited to share that, thanks to supporters like you, we’ve raised $272,281 in pledges and donations to date. This momentum is inspiring—and it proves the power of community.
But we’re not done yet.
As a small but dedicated team, we know that progress depends on continued awareness and outreach. You can help us take the next step by sharing our cause with your friends, family, and community.
Please consider posting this link to your social media and spreading the word:
Together, we can protect this forest—and preserve a piece of Delaware’s natural heritage for generations to come.
Margaret Mead
Exclusive Offer
A signed and framed 8x10 copy of the 2023 Eaglet on display in the library case. A picture can be yours for a minimum donation of $300.
This photograph taken by Bruce Steakley, photographer. You can view more of his incredible work here:
Please fill out our contact form for more information, 100% of all proceeds to benefit DE Habitat Guardians
We will continue to post updates on future meetings and fundraising events here, please continue to check and see what we are up to, thank you!
DHG Board Members:
Melanie Bernstein
Joan Barrow
Rory Ryan
Patricia Hutchinson
Tom Murray
Paul Paolini
