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Maryland Park Service Recognizes House Speaker Michael Busch with Honorary Ranger Award
Annapolis, Md. — The Maryland Park Service recently recognized House of Delegates Speaker Michael E. Busch as an Honorary Ranger for his long-time support of state parks.
“We are incredibly fortunate to have a leader in the Maryland General Assembly who has personally worked to personally better the lives of youth throughout his life and career, and understands the great role and benefit that parks play in connecting children and adults with nature,” said Maryland Park Service Superintendent Nita Settina. “Speaker Busch has been a visible leader and voice for Program Open Space, supporting the preservation of natural areas, and construction and maintenance of outdoor recreation infrastructure. He most recently gave critical leadership in the legislature to increase stability of the Maryland Park Service operating budget to keep our parks safe, affordable, and enjoyable for millions of visitors every year.”
Speaker Busch was presented with the award by Superintendent Settina at the MPS annual employee field day held on Wednesday, Oct. 1 at Sandy Point State Park.
“"I am honored to be recognized as an honorary park ranger by the Maryland Park Service," said Speaker Michael E. Busch. "The professionals at the Park Service work tirelessly every day to improve our parks and keep them safe for families in every part of the State. As an elected official, the most rewarding recognitions come from hardworking Marylanders, whose daily work impacts so many lives."
MPS’s Honorary Ranger awards recognize that the duties, tasks and characteristics of the Ranger are reflective of the highest form of service that can be given. Just 43 Honorary Ranger awards have been since their inception in 1994 to recognize citizens who have given superior support and who are exceptionally dedicated to carrying out the mission of the service.
By hosting more than 11 million visitors annually, the 65 state parks managed by the Department of Natural Resources’ Maryland Park Service enable people of all ages and walks of life to learn about nature and enjoy the outdoors. The Maryland Park Service is serving as a leader in implementing Governor O’Malley’s Children in Nature Initiative, with environmental education programs and activities at local schools and state parks, Park Quest adventures, and the expanded Maryland Conservation Corps to include the Civic Justice Corps, a green summer jobs opportunity for at-risk youth. State parks are also serving as models of sustainability and green living, providing examples to visitors of how they can reduce their impact on our environment. To further improve and expand outdoor recreation opportunities and environmental conservation, last year Governor O’Malley secured an enhancement of more than $4 million for the Maryland Park Service’s fiscal year 2009 budget.
October 6, 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
