DNR To Host Black History Month Program

Annapolis, Md. (February 10, 2011) — The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will hold a Black History Month program at 12 p.m. on Tuesday, February 15, 2011 at the Tawes State Office Building, 580 Taylor Avenue, Annapolis, MD, 21401. Members of the public are invited to this free event, and a light lunch will be served.

The keynote speaker will be Melanie Redding Herrera, President of Blacks of the Chesapeake Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization that provides historical appreciation of the African-American watermen/farmers, long-shore men, sea food workers, and vegetable and fruit packers, who worked throughout the Chesapeake Bay Region. Currently, Melanie serves as a licensed social work associate at the Baltimore County Department of Health.

Additionally the DNR Office of Fair Practices will present the Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Drum-Major for Justice Award to former DNR employee Vincent O. Leggett and the Dr. Carter G. Woodson Leadership Icon award to four DNR employees. To RSVP or for further information please contact Richard W. Allen at 410-260-8058.

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