MEDIA ADVISORY - Join MD Stream Waders For Stream Monitoring In Western Branch
3 Endangered Species Live in Local Prince George’s County Stream

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WHAT: Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) biologists will survey the unique Western Branch, a tributary of the Patuxent River. A touch tank will allow close-up views of endangered species. A Maryland Stream Waders volunteer will also be available for interviews. Information will be provided on how local citizens can help protect local streams. Waders will be provided for media interested in getting into the stream.

WHEN: Tuesday, October 2 at 10:30 a.m.

WHERE: Watkins Regional Park
301 Watkins Park Drive in Upper Marlboro, MD (Prince George’s County)

WHO: DNR Biologists
Prince George’s County Planners

BACKGROUND:
Nearly every person in Maryland lives within one mile of a headwater stream. Successful protection and restoration of Maryland’s rivers and the Chesapeake Bay require protection and restoration of the thousands of miles of headwater streams that drain our mountains and upland areas.

A “stronghold watershed”, the Western Branch, a tributary to the Patuxent River, is one of a few unique watersheds in the State with special ecological landmarks. “Stronghold watersheds” are like no other places in Maryland because of the species that live within the watershed. Three state-endangered fish species, including the stripeback darter (which lives no where else in the State) live in the Western Branch. The Western Branch watershed ranked 8th out of 84 watersheds in Maryland for its unique contribution to Maryland’s biodiversity.

With the help of more than 700 stream waders, the Maryland Biological Stream Survey monitors the health of more than 10,000 miles of streams to provide critical information needed to protect and restore our aquatic resources, including the Chesapeake Bay. For more information visit www.DNR.Maryland.gov/streams/mbss.

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October 1, 2007

Contact: Olivia Campbell 410-260-8016 office I 410-507-7525 cell ocampbell@dnr.state.md.us

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 449,000 acres of public lands and 17,000 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 12 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