DNR Secretary Participates In Read Across Maryland

Annapolis, MD (March 26, 2010) — Maryland Department of Natural Resources Secretary John Griffin appeared as a guest reader March 25 at West Annapolis Elementary School as part of Governor Martin O’Malley’s “Read Across Maryland” program.

Secretary Griffin read Flute’s Journey: The Life of a Wood Thrush to Mrs. Roche’s and Mrs. Kiser’s fifth grade classes. The book tells the story of one young wood thrush’s first migration from his nesting ground in the Belt Woods in Maryland To his winter home in Costa Rica, and back again. During his journey, flute encounters many of the common perils that threaten songbirds.

“The story of flute is one that conveys to kids the importance of our work at DNR,” said Secretary Griffin. “The survival of birds like flute depends largely on the people who are working to preserve the habitat that songbirds need to survive.”

Secretary Griffin also exchanged stories and answered natural resources-related questions from the eager youngsters. In the interest of full disclosure, it should be noted that Secretary Griffin’s twin sons, Colin and Aidan, are fifth graders at West Annapolis Elementary.

Photo by Brandon Linton of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. More photos available upon request

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