New Germany State Park Hosts Scales and Tales Program August 18

Grantsville, Md. (August 8, 2012) ─ Children, adults and everyone in between are invited to check out some of nature’s most fascinating creatures on Saturday, August 18 at a Scales and Tales program hosted by New Germany State Park. Guests will get an up-close and personal look at raptors and reptiles, while learning about the importance of conserving and protecting Maryland’s natural resources.

“I remember attending Scales and Tales programs with my mom when I was a child,” said New Germany State Park Ranger, Elena Bode. “These programs had a lasting impact on me as a child, and I consider it an honor to now be presenting these programs and hopefully inspiring others to be environmental stewards.”

Scales and Tales is a unique environmental education program that affords people the opportunity to see live wildlife, mostly native to Maryland, up close and personal. This informative and entertaining program uses live, non-releasable birds of prey and reptiles to promote stewardship of wildlife and other natural resources. Through the stories, or tales of how these animals come into the care of the program, Scales and Tales rangers discuss very important environmental issues, such as loss of habitat, environmental pollution, resource management and biodiversity.

The presentation will begin at 7 p.m. outside of the New Germany Lake House, and admission is free. More information is available by calling 301-895-5453 or emailing park-new-germany@dnr.state.md.us.

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. 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