Maryland DNR Press Release from 10 April 2008
Cecil County
Volunteer Awarded Maryland
Forestry Board Member Of The Year
ANNAPOLIS, MD — The
Maryland Association of Forest Conservancy District Boards (MAFCDB) recently
honored John Bennett of the Cecil County Forestry Board and Maryland Big Tree
Program with the 2007 Maryland Forestry Board Member of the Year Award.
“Maryland’s
natural resources and citizens have greatly benefited from John Bennett’s
service, and I am proud to join the Forestry Board in recognizing his
leadership,” said Maryland Department of Natural Resources Secretary, John R.
Griffin. “We greatly appreciate his dedication to protecting trees and applaud
his significant contributions to the Maryland Big Tree Program, as well as in
his community.”
Bennett volunteers his time serving as the coordinator of the Maryland Big Tree
Program, which measures and records data on trees statewide, as well as
advertising, fundraising, and coordinating with American Forests to identify Maryland’s National
Champion Trees. Recently, he organized the forestry board’s second annual Cecil
County Spring Seminar, dealing with issues such as invasive species, tree
planting techniques, and Natural Resources Career Camp. Bennett also works with
the Maryland Department of Agriculture’s Forest Pest Management Division to
distribute information regarding their gypsy moth program, and was selected to
serve on the Cecil County Comprehensive Plan Oversight Committee.
“As volunteer advocates for forestry, Forestry Board members are dedicated to
one of Maryland’s
greatest resources – our trees and forests. For this reason, MAFCDB is proud to
recognize John Bennett as Maryland Forestry Board Member of the Year, for his
continued efforts on behalf of forest restoration and preservation,” said
Executive Director Pam Kelly.
“I am honored to receive this award,” said John Bennett. “I thank all of the
members of the Forestry Board for their continued commitment to making a
difference in the state of Maryland’s
forests.”
Residing in North East, John Bennett also serves on several other local boards
and assists his wife in the operation of a home-based specialty plant nursery.
For more than fifty years, Maryland’s Forest
Boards have been working in partnership with the Maryland Department of Natural
Resources Forest Service to promote appreciation and concern for forests and
trees, and perpetuate Maryland’s
forest resource. Twenty-four boards – representing each county, as well as Baltimore City – function as the State Association
of Forest Conservancy District Boards. Forestry Boards provide leadership for
improvement of the environment in urban, suburban and rural areas, and educate
people about the variety of benefits trees and forests provide.
For more information on Maryland’s
Forest Conservancy District Boards, please visit http://www.dnr.state.md.us/forests/programapps/fboards.asp.
For information on the Maryland Big Tree Program, or to nominate a tree,
contact Mr. Bennett at mdbigtreeprogram@aol.com or visit
www.cecilfb.sailorsite.net.
Copied from http://www.dnr.state.md.us/dnrnews/pressrelease2008/041008a.html
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