National Garden Clubs Donate More Than $8,000 To Maryland Tree-Mendous Program

---

ANNAPOLIS, MD: The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Forest Service’s TREE-MENDOUS Maryland, recently received a $8,092 donation from the National Garden Clubs, Inc. (NGC) Penny Pines Program to plant trees on public lands. Thanks to this generous donation, 285 trees will be planted on public lands throughout the state.

“The National Garden Clubs supports sustainable forestry and gardening practices, like TREE-MENDOUS Maryland,” said NGC Reforestation Chairman Arthur C. Loesch. “We are pleased to work with Maryland’s Forest Service professionals in such a meaningful endeavor.”

“We are proud to partner with the Penny Pines Program and are grateful for their contributions toward tree plantings in Maryland,” said Terry Galloway, TREE-MENDOUS Maryland Program Coordinator. “TREE-MENDOUS Maryland continually plants on public lands to create safe and beautiful recreation areas, ensure soil conservation, protect wildlife habitat, and to help restore and protect Maryland’s waterways.”

Funds for this donation were made possible by garden clubs across Maryland as part of the NGC National Penny Pines Program to plant a variety of trees, in national forests, state forests and other public lands. For information on NGC Penny Pines Program, visit www.gardenclub.org/SpecialProjects/PennyPines.aspx.

Since its inception in 1989, the volunteers of TREE-MENDOUS Maryland have helped to plant more than 2 million native trees, shrubs and seedlings on public lands across Maryland. For more
information on TREE-MENDOUS Maryland, visit www.dnr.state.md.us/forests/treemendous/.

Maryland residents and business can contact a local forester to learn about planting native species in their communities and backyards. The Maryland Urban and Community Forest Committee's Guide to Community Forest Assistance Programs is also available to identify and contact tree planting and conservation programs to fit individual needs.

---

March 24, 2008

Contact: Kara Turner 410-260-8018 katurner@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.