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DNR Forest Service Announces 2004 Maryland Stream Releaf Awards
BALTIMORE –The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Forest Service announced the winners of the 2004 Maryland Stream ReLeaf Awards Saturday, April 16, at the 9th Annual Maryland Tributary Team Meeting in Baltimore. The Maryland Stream ReLeaf Awards recognize exceptional efforts in restoring and protecting riparian forest buffers. Around the state, 82 miles of forest buffers were planted last year, bringing Maryland’s contribution to a total of 1,147 miles towards the 10,000-mile Baywide goal set in 2003.
“Forest buffers are a cornerstone supporting stream health and wildlife habitat, and a necessary part of restoring environmental functions around the Chesapeake Bay basin,” said DNR Secretary C. Ronald Franks. “I want to personally congratulate each of the winners and thank them for their outstanding service to the Department.”
The 2004 Stream ReLeaf Award winners are:For more information about the Stream ReLeaf program, visit www.dnr.maryland.gov/forests/streamreleaf.html or call Anne Hairston-Strang on 410-260-8509.
- Landowner Category – John J. Dize from Crisfield (Somerset County) who planted over a mile and a half of buffer on his property in a project that has been well-planted and well-maintained for proper tree survival.
- Business Category –The local division of Ford Motor Company (Washington D.C., Montgomery, Howard and Frederick Counties) for its continued support of the Potomac Watershed Partnership’s Growing Native program. Ford has contributed volunteers for seed collection and tree plantings, aided in publicizing the volunteer seed collection, and provided seed collection stations.
- Organization Category – Parks and People for their efforts in expanding tree planting in urban areas, specifically Watershed 263 in Baltimore City. They continue to do wonderful work in greening Baltimore with many new trees in creative ways and places.
- Local Government – Harford County for their innovative and dedicated partnership with a local school (C. Milton Wright High School) and landowner association in planting and maintaining forest buffers.
- Education – South Frederick Elementary School and Jeff Grills, the co-director of Frederick’s Earth and Space Science Lab, for an excellent wetland buffer and arboretum project they established in 2004.
April 18, 2005The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages more than 446,000 acres of public lands and 18,000 miles of waterways, along with Maryland's forests, fisheries and wildlife for maximum environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land conservation, DNR-managed parks and natural, historic and cultural resources attract 11 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland's effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state's number one environmental priority. Learn more at www.dnr.maryland.gov