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Dr. Jim Gilford Awarded Admiral of the Chesapeake
ANNAPOLIS, MD - Governor Martin O’Malley recently designated Dr. Jim Gilford as an Admiral of the Chesapeake for his lifelong efforts to protect, restore, and educate others about Maryland’s fisheries.
“For more than 50 years, Maryland’s natural resources and citizens have benefited from Jim’s infallible service,” said Governor O’Malley. “He exemplifies the kind of leadership and public service to which we all should aspire -- exactly the type of individual the Admiral of the Chesapeake was created to honor.”
Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Secretary John R. Griffin presented the award to Gilford on Monday, December 17 at the Sport Fisheries Advisory Commission, on which Gilford has served for 28 years, including more than a decade as Chairman. Gilford has served on at least 14 other local, state, and federal natural resource commissions, most notably as chair of the Middle Potomac River Basin Public Advisory Council, the Monocacy Scenic River Advisory Board, and the Maryland Wild Turkey Advisory Committee and as a member of the C&O Canal National Historical Park Commission and several striped bass advisory committees.
“Whether in his role as scientist, angler, educator, administrator, newsman, or concerned citizen Jim has inspired countless individuals with his passion for environmental conservation,” said DNR Secretary John R. Griffin.
For many years, Gilford shared his passion for fishing to others through his courses at the Fenwick Fly Fishing School and outdoor columns in the Frederick News Post and the Maryland Fishing and Hunting Magazine. He also gave lectures at Yale University, Johns Hopkins University, and Gettysburg College and served as Hood College’s Biology Department Chair. Gilford earned his doctorate degree from John Hopkins University. He currently resides in Frederick.
“Beyond his many years of volunteer service leading various commissions, Jim has spent thousands of hours personally raising trout and advocating for trout habitat protection and restoration,” added Griffin. “His lifelong commitment and service has truly been remarkable.”
The Admiral of the Chesapeake Bay is awarded by the Governor to those who have demonstrated and extraordinary commitment to the conservation and restoration of the Chesapeake Bay, its surrounding landscapes, and the life that inhabits them.
December 20, 2007 Contact: Olivia Campbell
410-260-8016 office I 410-507-7525 cell
ocampbell@dnr.state.md.usMaryland 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