Maryland Park Service Volunteers Recognized At Governor’s Volunteer Service Awards

Maryland Department of Natural Resources

Maryland Park Service Volunteers Recognized At Governor’s Volunteer Service Awards
ANNAPOLIS — Two Maryland Park Service (MPS) volunteers were recognized at the 24th Annual Governor’s Volunteer Service Awards Presentation and Reception held at the Maryland Hall for Creative Arts on April 17, 2007. Harry J. Sanders was a winner in the Lifetime Achievement category, and Wayne McBain won in the State Government category.

Wayne McBain is the President of the Friends of Chapman State Park, and a highly valued Volunteer Ranger at Smallwood State Park. Mr. McBain was a prominent force in protecting the historic Chapman tract from major development, and is instrumental in providing upkeep and maintenance of the area and coordinating the efforts to make repairs to the manor house. According to an MPS area manager, “It’s an understatement to describe Wayne as important; he’s invaluable to our operations at both Chapman and Fort Smallwood Parks.”

Harry J. Sanders formed the Friends of Jerusalem Mill at Gunpowder Falls State Park to save the Jerusalem Mill. The Mill was built in 1772 and was deteriorating to the point of non-existence when Mr. Sanders his lifelong commitment to save this historic structure. Mr. Sanders recruited nearly 300 volunteers who worked to preserve the Mill with a very small budget and a huge investment of sweat equity. Today, Jerusalem Mill serves as home base for a very popular living history program, and the headquarters for Gunpowder Falls State Park. According to a one conservative estimate, Harry Sanders has volunteered close to 10,000 hours over the past 22 years in a remarkable example of volunteerism.

The Governor’s Office on Service and Volunteerism received more than 200 nominations in 12 categories, and presented 35 awards to honorees representing 11 Maryland counties and Baltimore City.
April 19, 2007
The 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