DNR offers New Year's Resolutions to help preserve and protect Maryland's environment

While making your list of New Year's resolutions for 1999, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) offers ideas that will help protect our state's most precious natural resource, the Chesapeake Bay, and enhance natural habitats for wildlife. In addition to making personal resolutions, DNR encourages citizens to make environmental conservation a new daily habit. Whether it is one individual's dedication to recycling, or neighborhood families working together to clean a local stream, each person can make a difference. In the last year of the 20th century, DNR encourages every Marylander to make a commitment to the next century as stewards of our land.

DNR also encourages citizens to make resolutions regarding personal safety by: enrolling in a hunting or boating safety course to refresh skills; ensuring your boat is equipped with personal flotation devices and checking flares and fire extinguishers for expiration dates; properly maintaining boating and recreational equipment; wearing a certified bike helmet when cycling; and using proper safety equipment and procedures when enjoying Maryland's 47 State Forests and Parks.

DNR's Suggested 1999 New Year's Resolutions:

• Reduce, reuse and recycle household items and trash whenever possible;
• Plant trees in your community or through the TREE-Mendous Maryland Program - call (410) 260-8531 for more information;
• Build a bird feeder, plant a vegetable garden or create a native flower bed to attract birds and butterflies to your backyard - call (410) 260-8540 and request a Wild Acres packet;
• Use less energy and water in your home and at work;
• Never litter and teach your children not to litter;
• Help maintain and improve local trail systems and State Parks - call 1-800-830-3974 or stop by your local State Park for more information;
• Enjoy a monthly visit to a nearby State Forest or Park or purchase a Family Fun Pass ($50 per family) or a FREE Senior Citizen's Golden Age Pass - call 1-800-830-3974 or stop by your local State Park;
• Take a nature walk each week and encourage others to join you;
• Teach your children about the natural landscape of Maryland's Eastern Shore or Western Maryland by requesting a free DNR Bay Game or Mountain Game - call (410) 260-8746;
• Help plant a forest buffer through DNR's Stream ReLeaf Project. For information about designs and procedures or to learn more about incentives, contact your DNR Forest Service project forester for your county at (410) 260-8531;
• Join a local Tributary Team and help protect the Chesapeake Bay - call (410) 260-8708 for more information about your local Tributary Team;
• Use mass transit whenever possible;
• Reduce or eliminate use of chemicals and pesticides to fertilize lawns and gardens;
• Do not use fertilizer to de-ice driveways and sidewalks;
• Take chemicals, paints, solvents and motor oil to recycling centers;
• Obey laws that protect our natural resources and public safety;
• Adopt a Highway - call the State Highway Administration at 1-800-323-6742 or your local roads department;
• Consider donating a conservation easement to the Maryland Environmental Trust to protect undeveloped land and to become eligible for income, property and estate tax benefits. If you don't have land to donate, join a local land trust in your community and help protect the resources and rural character of your county. Call (410) 514-7900 for more information; and
• Make a donation to the Chesapeake Bay and Endangered Species Fund by checking line #40 on page two of your Maryland State Income Tax Form.

The employees of DNR wish you and your family a Safe and Happy New Year