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Patuxent Riverkeeper Fred Tutman Receives Bernie Fowler Award
Governor O’Malley Commends Tutman, Watershed Heroes
BALTIMORE, MD — Patuxent River Commissioner and Riverkeeper, Fred Tutman, was honored with the prestigious 2007 Bernie Fowler Award at Maryland’s 12th Annual Tributary Team meeting on February 9. The so-called "White Sneaker Award" is named for Senator Fowler, who initiated the annual Patuxent River wade-ins 20 years ago to test water turbidity and bring attention to declining water quality. The award is given annually to recognize outstanding contributions to Bay health and habitat of a tributary team member.
“From growing up on a farm in Prince George’s County to traveling the world as a journalist, Fred’s life experience has made him uniquely sensitive to the fact that where we come from has a huge impact on how we view and care for our natural resources,” said Governor Martin O’Malley. “By communicating and collaborating on both social justice and environmental justice issues, Fred has an extraordinary ability to bring people together – no matter what their background – to act toward our common goal of improving the Bay.”
“We’re fighting collectively not just for the Chesapeake Bay, but for a way for a way of life,” said Tutman upon receiving the award. “We become empowered when we contact our legislators and we are never going to give up.”
In addition to his current Patuxent River responsibilities, for the past two decades Tutman has served as the President of the Conservation Federation of Maryland, President of the Patuxent River Civic Association and a member of DNR’s Outdoor Caucus. He also co-founded the Environmental Fund for Maryland.
Ten Tributary Teams Watershed Hero Awards were also presented on Saturday.
“Through their committed leadership and tireless efforts, these working team members truly are heroes in furthering Maryland’s water quality and nutrient pollution reduction goals,” said Governor O’Malley.For more information about Maryland’s Tributary Teams, visit http://www.dnr.state.md.us/bay/tribstrat/.
- Choptank Tributary Team - Ken Staver, of Queen Anne’s County, who is a driving force behind the Choptank Growth and Water Quality Symposium.
- Upper Eastern Shore Tributary Team - Chesapeake Fields near Chestertown, who practices local sustainable agriculture operations and specialty uses for soybeans.
- Lower Eastern Shore Tributary Team - Keota Silaphone, of Ocean City, who is the Team Vice-Chair, and a local government environmental leader.
- Patapsco/Back Tributary Team - Mary Sloan Roby, of Baltimore, who serves as the Executive Director of the Herring Run Watershed Association and leads the team’s stormwater management initiative.
- Patuxent River Commission - Len Zuza, of Lusby, who plays a crucial role within the Southern Maryland Oyster Cultivation Society.
- Upper Potomac Tributary Team – Julie Pippel, of Hagerstown, who serves as the Director of the Environmental Management Division, Washington County and is the Tributary Team Chair.
- Middle Potomac Tributary Team - Vince H. Berg, of Derwood, who offers creative solutions to ongoing urban storm water problems.
- Lower Potomac Tributary Team - Liz Spitzer, of La Plata, who serves as the Lower Potomac’s Annual Wade-In Event Chairperson.
- Upper Western Shore Tributary Team - Rupert Rossetti, a local environmental activist, serves as a board member of the Octararo Watershed Association and is the Tributary Team chair.
- Lower Western Shore Tributary Team - Irene Hantman, of Edgewater, who works within Anne Arundel County government to manage storm water pollution.
February 14, 2008 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