Lucy School Wins Marylanders Plant Trees 2009-2010 School Challenge

Annapolis, MD (September 23, 2010) — The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced the winners of the Marylanders Plant Trees 2009-2010 School Challenge. The Lucy School of Middletown planted 207 trees last school year, many on the school grounds. In all, 82 schools participated by planting trees to win prizes, save energy, help reduce air and water pollution, and beautify their community.

“I want to congratulate the Lucy School students for taking — and winning — this challenge,” said Governor Martin O’Malley. “Not only is this effort making an impact on our natural world, but by getting our students outside and planting trees, we are helping create a healthier, more environmentally conscience student body.”

"We are a small school, so we were surprised, and delighted, to hear of the award. Our school in on 17-acres, so we spend a good amount of time outdoors. Exploring nature and caring for plants and small animals is an important part of our program,” said Lucy School Director Dr. Victoria Brown. “Every child took part in choosing a tree, planting it and caring for it with mulching, regular watering, and recording its growth. The children made drawings of the trees, wrote songs about them, and they encouraged their families to plant trees as well. It was a wonderful learning experience."

The second place winner—most carbon sequestered, as calculated by the Marylanders Plant Trees online benefits calculator—is Mt. View Middle School of Marriottsville with 2,282 pounds of carbon sequestered from their 120 trees planted. Third place—highest total dollar amount of tree benefits, as calculated by the benefits calculator—is the Highlands School with $103 in benefits from their 65 trees.

The Marylanders Plant Trees Program encourages citizens to plant and register trees to help improve quality of life in Maryland. The school challenge encourages all Maryland elementary, middle and high schools students to reach out to family, friends and neighbors and encourage them to plant native trees on their school’s behalf. Students could also collaborate with community, watershed and service organizations to plant trees.

Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) staff officially kicked off the School Challenge in February 2010, and distributed materials to more than 2,200 Maryland teachers to help them include the program and its earthly benefits into lesson plans. The challenge ran through April 30, 2010. Trees planted at any time between April 1, 2009 and April 30, 2010 were counted toward a school’s goal. As the grand prize winner, the Lucy School will enjoy a DNR Field Day, which will be held on the winning school campus this fall.

Governor O’Malley launched Marylanders Plant Trees in November 2008 to give Marylanders an accessible opportunity to 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, so they will be able to see the environmental benefits of their trees through interactive maps and charts, and contribute to our statewide goal.

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