Governor O’Malley Proclaims June “Great Outdoors Month”

Maryland Department of Natural Resources

Governor O’Malley Proclaims June “Great Outdoors Month”
ANNAPOLIS – In celebration of Maryland’s wealth of natural resources and exciting recreational opportunities, Governor Martin O’Malley today proclaimed the month of June “Great Outdoors Month” in Maryland. This year marks the fourth annual “Great Outdoors Month” nationally, and the first time it has been officially recognized in Maryland.

“I am honored to join 13 of my fellow Governors in proclaiming June ‘Great Outdoors Month’ in Maryland,” said Governor O’Malley. “Maryland’s unique natural treasures – our parks, our forests and our waterways – add to the quality of our environment and our lives.”

The Free State is virtually unparalleled in its outdoor offerings with seemingly endless opportunities to hike, bike, fish, boat and camp -- for fun, for health and fitness, for getting away from it all, and for creating memorable experiences together.

“All Maryland citizens play a vital role in continuing our legacy of natural resources stewardship and enjoyment,” said Maryland Department of Natural Resources Secretary John R. Griffin. “Under the leadership of Governor O’Malley – through such actions as fully funding Program Open Space and adoption of the Clean Cars Act – we will ensure Marylanders will always have great outdoors to celebrate.”

“Great Outdoors Month” is sponsored by the American Recreation Coalition. The celebration is held each June -- an especially active time for recreation in America – during which hundreds of annual events and meetings ranging from National Trails Day to National Boating and Fishing Week, National Family Recreation Week to National Clean Beaches Week are held.

June 1, 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