Governor O'Malley Reminds Schools To Sign Up For Marylanders Plant Trees 2010 School Challenge

Annapolis, MD (March 24, 2010) — Governor Martin O’Malley today reminded Maryland parents, teachers and students to participate in the Marylanders Plant Trees 2010 School Challenge. Schools across the State are preparing to compete for prizes and recognition by planting trees through Maryland’s citizen tree planting program, through April 30 2010.

”This is an opportunity for schools to both show their pride and make an impact in the natural world around them,” said Governor Martin O’Malley. “Every tree planted is a small investment with a big payoff. Trees clean our air and water, reducing energy costs and increasing property value. It’s something every Marylander can do to create a smarter, greener future.”

Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) staff officially kicked off the School Challenge in February, and has already distributed materials to more than 2,200 Maryland teachers to help them include the program and its earthly benefits into lesson plans.

The challenge runs through April 30, 2010. Trees planted at any time between April 1, 2009 and April 30, 2010 may be counted toward a school’s goal. The schools with the most trees planted will be named to the School Challenge Honor Roll, and the grand prize winner will enjoy a DNR Field Day, which will be held on the winning school campus in the fall of 2010.

Marylanders Plant Trees was launched April 2009 to give Marylanders an accessible opportunity make an impact in the natural world around them. In cooperation with participating nurseries, Marylanders Plant Trees program continues to offer $25 coupons toward the purchase of native trees costing $50 or more, redeemable at nearly 70 nurseries across the State. Governor O’Malley and DNR encourage Marylanders to register every tree they plant. Not only will they be eligible for prizes, but they will be able to see the environmental benefits of their trees through interactive maps and charts.

For more information, a list of prizes, and to register a tree, go to http://www.trees.maryland.gov/index.asp.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), which celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2009, is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages more than 467,000 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