Lutherville Woman Wins First Marylanders Plant Trees Drawing Of 2011

Governor O’Malley Reminds Marylanders to Plant, Be Counted and Win!

Annapolis, Md. (January 18, 2011) ― Janet Sanford of Lutherville, Md. won a $200 gift card to Valley View Farms in Cockeysville in the first Marylanders Plant Trees drawing of 2011. This incentive program began in 2009 to encourage participation in the State’s citizen tree-planting effort. The January 3rd drawing was the second in a series of monthly, random drawings that will award prizes to citizens who have planted trees and registered them on the program’s website.

“I want to congratulate Janet as the first winner of 2011 and thank her for inspiring our fellow Marylanders to join this planting effort,” said Governor Martin O’Malley. “Marylanders who plant and register their trees are not only adding beauty to their property, but contributing to the overall health of the Bay, its tributaries and our natural resources.“

Governor O’Malley launched the Marylanders Plant Trees program, part of his Smart, Green & Growing initiative, two years ago with a goal of planting 50,000 new trees by 2010. Marylanders heeded the challenge: 50,089 new trees were planted and registered as of December 2010.

“Healthy trees improve our environment, beautify our landscape and uplift our spirits,” Sanford said. “I encourage all Marylanders to plant one, perhaps with a child, as a learning experience. I will be adding several trees and under plantings to my property for the enjoyment of all who will see them. I’d like to thank DNR and Valley View Farms for this much appreciated opportunity.”

Prizes have also been awarded to: Nancy Reed of Centreville, who won a live balled & burlap Christmas Tree from Lowe’s Bayshore Nursery in Stevensville; Julie Shyrock of Elkridge, who won a large hand carved tiki from Himmel’s Farm & Garden Center in Pasadena; and Bryan Donoway of Jarrettsville, who won a $50 gift card to Priapi Gardens in Cecilton.

Trees protect water quality, clean our air and provide important wildlife habitat. One large tree can eliminate 5,000 gallons of stormwater runoff each year, and well placed trees can help reduce energy costs by 15 to 35 percent.

In cooperation with participating nurseries, the Marylanders Plant Trees program continues to offer $25 coupons toward the purchase of native trees costing $50 or more, and redeemable at nearly 70 nurseries across the State. DNR is encouraging 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 tree 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 Natural Resources Police is the enforcement arm of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). With an authorized strength of 247 officers and a dedicated staff of civilian and volunteer personnel, the NRP provide a variety of services in addition to conservation and boating law enforcement duties throughout the State of Maryland. These services include homeland security, search and rescue, emergency medical services, education, information and communications services on a round the clock basis. NRP is the only police force aside from the Maryland State Police that has statewide jurisdiction.

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 Learn more at www.dnr.maryland.gov