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DNR Encourages Holiday Travelers To Get Their ‘Bay Game’ On
ANNAPOLIS, MD — Independence Day is drawing near and for many Marylanders, the Fourth of July holiday weekend means the beach, family barbeques, fireworks, and – to the dismay of children everywhere – long car rides. To direct restless energy during summer travel, parents are invited to pick up a free copy of the 2008 Maryland Bay Game, available at public libraries and visitor’s centers across the state.
“The Bay Game is a great summer tradition for Maryland kids and families,” said Governor Martin O’Malley. “It’s educational, fun and interactive, making it the perfect preface to the outdoor activities of the long holiday weekend.”
Accompanied by a group of Kent County children and counselors from Echo Hill Outdoor School, Governor O’Malley unveiled the 2008 game at the Capital for a Day celebration in Chestertown on June 17. The annual publication is filled with interesting facts and interactive games and puzzles, covering a variety of topics such as watersheds, wildlife, trees and forests, geology and agriculture.
“This year’s edition is themed Celebrating Children in Our Natural World, and is designed to inspire children to get outside and enjoy the outdoors — whether on vacation or at home,” added the Governor.
The Bay Game is one of many state efforts to help Maryland young people connect with nature – a critical connection if they are to grow into healthy, environmentally responsible adults. In April, Governor O’Malley created the Maryland Partnership for Children in Nature, a coalition of state, local, private and non-profit partners charged with promoting the well-being of youth by accelerating environmental learning and expanding opportunities for outdoor experiences.
Created in 1998 to educate children on the basics of conservation biology and the importance of Maryland’s natural resources throughout the mid-Atlantic region, Maryland’s Bay Game was the first of its kind in the nation. While the game initially focused on the drive from the Bay Bridge along Maryland Routes 50 and 404 to the beaches of Ocean City, it has since been expanded to encompass natural resources across the state. The Maryland Bay Game reaches nearly one million travelers of all ages annually through print and online editions.
A downloadable version of the 2008 Maryland Bay Game is also available online at www.dnr.maryland.gov/baygame.
June 30, 2008 Contact: Wiley Hall
410-260-8002 office I 410-507-7526 cell
whall@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