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Cecil County Volunteer Awarded Maryland Forestry Board Member Of The Year
ANNAPOLIS, MD — The Maryland Association of Forest Conservancy District Boards (MAFCDB) recently honored John Bennett of the Cecil County Forestry Board and Maryland Big Tree Program with the 2007 Maryland Forestry Board Member of the Year Award.
“Maryland’s natural resources and citizens have greatly benefited from John Bennett’s service, and I am proud to join the Forestry Board in recognizing his leadership,” said Maryland Department of Natural Resources Secretary, John R. Griffin. “We greatly appreciate his dedication to protecting trees and applaud his significant contributions to the Maryland Big Tree Program, as well as in his community.”
Bennett volunteers his time serving as the coordinator of the Maryland Big Tree Program, which measures and records data on trees statewide, as well as advertising, fundraising, and coordinating with American Forests to identify Maryland’s National Champion Trees. Recently, he organized the forestry board’s second annual Cecil County Spring Seminar, dealing with issues such as invasive species, tree planting techniques, and Natural Resources Career Camp. Bennett also works with the Maryland Department of Agriculture’s Forest Pest Management Division to distribute information regarding their gypsy moth program, and was selected to serve on the Cecil County Comprehensive Plan Oversight Committee.
“As volunteer advocates for forestry, Forestry Board members are dedicated to one of Maryland’s greatest resources – our trees and forests. For this reason, MAFCDB is proud to recognize John Bennett as Maryland Forestry Board Member of the Year, for his continued efforts on behalf of forest restoration and preservation,” said Executive Director Pam Kelly.
“I am honored to receive this award,” said John Bennett. “I thank all of the members of the Forestry Board for their continued commitment to making a difference in the state of Maryland’s forests.”
Residing in North East, John Bennett also serves on several other local boards and assists his wife in the operation of a home-based specialty plant nursery.
For more than fifty years, Maryland’s Forest Boards have been working in partnership with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Forest Service to promote appreciation and concern for forests and trees, and perpetuate Maryland’s forest resource. Twenty-four boards – representing each county, as well as Baltimore City – function as the State Association of Forest Conservancy District Boards. Forestry Boards provide leadership for improvement of the environment in urban, suburban and rural areas, and educate people about the variety of benefits trees and forests provide.
For more information on Maryland’s Forest Conservancy District Boards, please visit http://www.dnr.state.md.us/forests/programapps/fboards.asp. For information on the Maryland Big Tree Program, or to nominate a tree, contact Mr. Bennett at mdbigtreeprogram@aol.com or visit www.cecilfb.sailorsite.net.
April 10, 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.