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The Centennial Celebration of Maryland
Forestry and State Parks offered us an opportunity to think about future
generations and how our environmental stewardship will benefit them. We can also
try to envision how they will preserve, protect, enhance and enjoy Maryland’s
public lands 100 years from now.
During this 2006-2007 Centennial Year, we prepared a time capsule to be
opened in the year 2106. The gifts we chose to send forth to those who will
follow include information and artifacts about the work we do today and our
message to those in the future. A century from now, these will be priceless
treasures to future generations. The time capsule is 12 inches wide by 36
inches long. The Centennial Time Capsule,
and was buried at Gambrill State Park on July 31, 2007, the same day Helen
Besley Overington, daughter of Maryland's first State Forester, Fred W. Besley,
celebrated her 100th birthday.
With the assistance of hundreds of volunteers, the State of Maryland maintains thousands of acres of public lands
- forests, parks, wildlife management areas, and natural environmental
areas - for the enjoyment of its citizens and visitors. Enjoy these endless opportunities for enriching and rewarding outdoor experiences,
remembering to leave the land as you found it, or help DNR staff to improve it.
It's our legacy to the future.
Check out a map of Maryland public lands. |
"The
simple fact is that she has lived through and participated in the whole century
of forestry and parks which we have been honoring for the last year and a half.
It is no wonder that Maryland’s forest and park historians fell in love with her
when they began to collect information for the Centennial two years ago. Her
clear mind and astonishing memory has been an invaluable resource for all of
us. When historians had questions about the life of Fred Besley or his views on
many issues, Holly was often the ultimate authority. Ross Kimmel, Offut
Johnson, Champ Zumbrun and Robert Bailey who are here with us today can all
attest to this. The Centennial would simply hot have been the same without
her." - Kirk P. Rodgers
