DNR Continues To Lead By Example With Community Garden

Annapolis, Md. (July 23, 2010) — The employees of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) have created an exciting new project, the Tawes Community Garden, in partnership with the Department of General Services (DGS). The project allows DNR employees to create and nurture a community vegetable garden on the Tawes grounds to support a local food bank, shelter and other partners.

“The garden is an excellent example of our DNR employees going above and beyond the call of duty,” said DNR Secretary John Griffin. “Working together with our partners at DGS, the garden provides an opportunity for volunteers to donate their time and energy toward a worthy cause.”

Established in May, the garden will be maintained throughout the summer and fall by a team of DNR volunteers. DNR employees have already been working in the garden, delivering food to organizations or helping to increase the produce yield by donating food from their own gardens. The garden was initially constructed on a small plot of land with hopes of an expansion in the near future. Two 4 x 10 raised beds were created to minimize soil disturbance and the lumber around the beds was treated with non-toxic soy preservative.

Each week, DNR donates food from the garden to benefit organizations such as the Annapolis Light House Shelter, the Maryland Food Bank and the Tawes Daycare Center. The garden will also support activities involving children from the Tawes Daycare Center working in the garden.

"The community garden is a terrific idea and is in keeping with Governor O'Malley's Smart, Green & Growing and Buy Local initiatives," said DGS Secretary Alvin C. Collins. "I am pleased that DGS was able to team with DNR to make this happen."

For more information about the Tawes Community Garden and volunteer opportunities visit http://www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/voltawes.html.

To learn more about Maryland’s efforts to lead by example, visit http://www.green.maryland.gov/leading_by_example.html

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages nearly one-half million 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 11 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