Eyes on the Bay...Monitoring Bay Health Progress

July 2012 

BayStat - click here!

What Can I Do?  

Create habitat and food sources for robins.

Laying a board in your garden creates a cool moist daytime hiding place for slugs. Turn over the board daily and you will have plenty of slugs for ovenbirds, robins and other slug eating birds. For more ways to make your backyard a friendly habitat for wildlife, click here. 

Bay Fact  

Fishing helps the state's economy.
Fishing in the Bay helps the Maryland economy. A 2009 study found that the commercial seafood industry supported 14,778 jobs in Maryland and recreational fishing supported an additional 5,714 jobs, with a combined impact on Maryland's economy of $2.4 Billion. More details... 

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Follow @eyesonthebay on Twitter.  

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From the desk of...

Martin O'Malley, Governor of Maryland 

 

Governor O'Malley at the Sailabration and USS Fort McHenry Tour.
Governor O'Malley at the Sailabration and USS Fort McHenry Tour.

 

In June Maryland kicked off the international bicentennial celebration of the War of 1812 in a big way with the Sailabration in Baltimore. We welcomed 46 ships from 12 nations, 4,000 sailors from around the world, hundreds of thousands of visitors, demonstrations from the Blue Angels, a special performance by the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and hosted an amazing international anniversary ceremony at Fort McHenry.

 

That was just the beginning. The celebrations will continue over the next three years with events, activities and reenactments throughout our State. Visit www.starspangled200.com to learn more about upcoming events.


This summer, we'll officially launch the Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail ---- a 100-mile trail that returns visitors to the waning days of the War of 1812. It will join the  Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail in providing land and water tourism opportunities and in creating a lasting connection for all of us to the important role the Chesapeake Bay has played in the history of our great nation.

I hope that you and your family will be able to join us at many of these events this summer season.

 

Sincerely,

Governor Martin O'Malley's signature

Eyes on the Bay Water Quality Website
Early June sampling by DNR found that the Chesapeake Bay 'dead zone' (waters low in oxygen) was smaller than average and much improved over the same time period in 2011. Follow the Eyes on the Bay stories page (http://bit.ly/eotbstories) throughout the summer for biweekly updates. Of course, the latest information is always available online at www.eyesonthebay.net.

Your Government at Work   

 

Maryland Goal: Restore the Health of the Chesapeake Bay
Maryland Goal: Restore the Health of the Chesapeake Bay
Bay Restoration Video Wins Award

The Bay restoration video that we previewed in February's newsletter has won an award! The video highlights our strategic goal to restore the health of the Chesapeake Bay by the end of the 2025. The video won a Telly Award as an outstanding online video in the Green/Eco-Friendly Category! Take a look at the finished version and share it! Watch the video...
Visit a farmers market in Maryland.Find a Farmers' Market Near You
Fresh, locally grown produce is on sale this summer at farmers' markets all across Maryland. The 2012 Maryland Farmers' Market Directory lists locations and hours of 138 farmers' markets, so it should be easy to find one convenient for you. Check it out...
DNR testing for boat noise.DNR Offers Free Boat Noise Tests
DNR's Natural Resources Police will conduct courtesy tests to help boaters learn whether their vessel meets new noise guidelines that went into effect late last year. The new noise limits apply to Deep Creek Lake, the Bohemia River, the Elk and Northeast Rivers and tributaries, and the Maryland portion of the Chesapeake & Delaware (C&D) Canal. Testing times and locations will be posted online. Learn more...
You can be an Ice Cream Trail Blazer!Be a Maryland Ice Cream Trail Blazer  
Enjoy fresh, delicious ice cream while exploring Maryland this summer as you follow Maryland's Best Ice Cream Trail to all 7 dairy farms that produce ice cream right on the farm and sell it to visitors. Pick up an Ice Cream Trail Blazer Passport online or at any of the 7 farms, have the passport stamped by all 7 farms, and send it by September 7 to the Maryland Department of Agriculture to be entered in a drawing for the grand prize - which includes a $50 gift certificate to your favorite creamery. See details... 
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