DNR Secretary Participates In Read Across Maryland Program With Visits To West Annapolis Elementary School

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Annapolis, MD – Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Secretary John Griffin read to the fourth grade students of West Annapolis Elementary School on Friday, March 20th in support of Governor Martin O’Malley’s Read Across Maryland Program, a statewide literacy initiative.

“I am so pleased to join the Governor in his important initiative to support and promote literacy in Maryland, and celebrate learning in Maryland’s outstanding public schools, “ said Secretary Griffin. “Working together with educators and families, we can encourage children to pick up a good book as often as possible and develop a lifelong habit of reading.”

Every year, the Cat in the Hat dazzles children and adults in celebration of the National Education Association’s “Read Across America” campaign, celebrating the birthday of Theodor Geisel, also known as Dr. Seuss. This year, the Maryland State Teachers Association (MSTA) formed a partnership with Governor O’Malley to launch “Read Across Maryland,” a statewide literacy initiative that encourages children to read. Maryland’s public school students will be treated to readings by community leaders, elected officials, published authors and educators throughout the month of March.

This is the second time Secretary Griffin has spoken to West Annapolis Elementary, having visited on March 11th to read to its second graders. He will visit a third time on Thursday, March 26th at 12:30 p.m.

To help ensure that all Maryland children have an opportunity to experience and connect with nature, last spring Governor Martin O’Malley established Maryland’s 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, connecting communities to parks and public lands and expanding opportunities for structured and unstructured outdoor time in nature for both play and learning. The Partnership’s initial report is expected to be presented to the Governor in April.

For more information on “Read Across Maryland,” visit MSTA Online at www.mstanea.org.

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March 23, 2009

Contact: Ray Weaver 410-260-8002 office I 410-507-7526 cell rweaver@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