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NEWS RELEASE

November 14, 2008

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County Executive Ulman and Governor O’Malley Announce Environmental Partnership

ELLICOTT CITY-- Howard County Executive Ken Ulman and Governor Martin O’Malley today announced a unique partnership between the County and the State in which inmates from the state-run Patuxent Institution will plant and care for 1,000 trees until they are mature enough to be transplanted to Howard County parks. This partnership falls under Governor O’Malley’s newest program: Maryland: Smart, Green & Growing, a multi-agency, statewide initiative to help Maryland achieve a more sustainable future by linking community revitalization, transportation improvements, economic development, smart growth and environmental restoration efforts.

“In these tough economic times, government must work smarter and more efficiently than ever. This program does just that: state and local governments are working together, using existing resources, to protect the environment,” said Howard County Executive Ken Ulman.

“As Marylanders, we are blessed with a tremendous quality of life because of our state’s natural resources and beauty, but the quality of life we leave to our children and theirs is not inevitable,” said Governor O’Malley. “The connection between a strong economy, a healthy environment and our preferred quality of life is inherent. However, to achieve real progress in improving the way our communities grow, we must invest in that connection to use and protect our natural resources in a more sustainable way while growing our economy.”

At today’s event, Ulman and O’Malley were joined by representatives from the Maryland Departments of Public Safety and Corrections, Natural Resources and Transportation, as inmates from the Patuxent Institution planted 1,000 native seedlings in a grow-out station on the prison grounds.

“Forests are the region’s most strategically important natural resource,” said DNR Secretary John R. Griffin. “In addition to protecting water quality, cleaning the air and providing wildlife habitat, one large tree can eliminate 5,000 gallons of stormwater runoff annually, and well placed trees can reduce energy costs by 15 to 35 percent.”

Community-based public works projects offer many inmates opportunities to give back to the community while learning new job skills as they prepare for re-entry back into society.

“Helping improve the state’s environment is a main goal of Public Safety’s inmate public works program. Inmates provide labor for projects in the community for the environment, and these projects can help us rebuild lives,” said DPSCS Secretary Gary Maynard. “This year alone, with the help of DNR, local government and communities, we will plant 38,000 trees throughout the state.”