I am very pleased that the efforts we are making at the state level are being strengthened by an alliance with our federal partners, including Maryland's Congressional delegation, and by the individual commitment of many dedicated individuals who give so freely and selflessly of their time and efforts to help improve the Bay.

 

President Obama, Senators Mikulski and Cardin, and members of Maryland's Congressional delegation are moving federal agencies to increase their actions towards Bay restoration. Those agencies are upgrading the care with which they manage federal lands in our state, and focusing more resources on the things that need to be done to improve the Bay.

 

Individual actions are especially important. There is simply no way government can create the results achieved by all the motivated individuals who clean trash out of rivers and streams, lessen their own impact on the environment, grow oysters, plant trees, and take some of the many other actions that improve the Bay. Whether you do so acting alone or with groups like scout troops or watershed associations, your involvement and your actions are a vital part of the total effort. If you are looking for ways to participate, the Smart, Green and Growing website has guides to planting trees and other helpful actions.

 

Government, even with the resources available from our federal partners, cannot restore the Bay alone. The other essential component is your participation as individuals and groups, providing the dedication and local action that completes the effort. Working together as One Maryland, we can indeed create progress and bring improvement to the Bay for ourselves, our children, and theirs.