MEDIA
ADVISORY FOR SAT., MAY 13, AT NOON IN ANNAPOLIS
Governor Glendening Proclaims Saturday, May 13, As Diamondback Terrapin Day In
Maryland
Celebration To Be Held at
Greenbury Point Nature Center in Annapolis; Population of State's Official
Reptile in Decline
Annapolis, MD (May 12, 2000) – Cheer the Turtle! Maryland's official state reptile now has
day to call its very own. Governor Parris N. Glendening has proclaimed
Saturday, May 13, as Diamondback Terrapin Day in Maryland. With the turtles' annual nesting
season occurring in mid-May, this is an especially critical time to remind
citizens of their fragile nesting areas.
To celebrate the turtle
and to recognize Governor Glendening, U.S. Naval Academy Superintendent Vice
Admiral John Ryan and participating riparian homeowners, the Maryland
Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Fisheries Service and the students will
hold a Terrapin Day Celebration at Greenbury Point Nature Center on Saturday, May 13, from noon to 4 p.m.
The U.S. Naval Academy
celebrated the grand opening of the Greenbury Point Nature Center today. The nature center features
exhibits on local natural and cultural resources and will provide natural
resources education to midshipmen, students, scout groups and community
organizations.
This spring, students
from Parkville High, Samuel Ogle Elementary and Millersville Elementary schools participated in terrapin station
projects. Several students also petitioned the Governor for the proclamation.
Many homeowners whose
property includes terrapin habitat have designated terrapin sanctuaries on
their land. They have posted signs that read, "Terrapin Nesting Sanctuary
- Please Do Not Disturb The Beach. No Foot Traffic No
Dogs," to protect the habitat of this declining population.
"Maryland's diamondback terrapin deserves a
concerted conservation effort to restore its population," said Marguerite
Whilden, terrapin project coordinator with DNR's Fisheries Service. "We
greatly appreciate the actions of homeowners, students, educators and the
Governor to promote and protect the terrapin. We especially thank Vice Admiral
Ryan and the staff and volunteers from the Greenbury Point Nature Center for their efforts to educate
citizens about the fragility of our natural resources and their
inhabitants."
Partners in efforts such
as terrapin nesting sanctuaries, restoration of terrapin habitat, research and
public involvement include the Severn River Association, Sherwood Forest
Naturalist Program, Wildfowl Trust of North America, Assateague Coastal Trust,
Whitehall Bay Institute, the U.S. Naval Academy and citizens throughout Maryland.
Highlights of the
Terrapin Day Celebration will include: terrapin artifacts; crab pot
retrofitting demonstrations; displays depicting nesting sanctuaries, Submerged
Aquatic Vegetation (SAV) and habitat restoration projects; fisheries garden;
and a visit from the Baltimore ZooMobile, which will feature live terrapins of
various types. An informal lecture on turtles, tortoises and terrapins will
begin at 3 p.m. inside the center.
The Greenbury Point Nature Center is located at 265 Bullard Boulevard on the Naval Academy's North Severn property. From US 50 East, take
MD 450 south toward the Naval Academy. Before the bridge, turn left at
the signal for MD 648. Where MD 648 turns to the left, stay
straight for 1/10 of a mile. Continue straight through signal for
Kincaid/Greenbury Point Roads. Continue for 1.5 miles through the Naval Academy
Golf Course. The nature center is on the right.
For more information
about Greenbury Point Nature Center, call Tina Lorentzen, U.S. Naval
Academy natural resources manager, at (410) 293-1027.
Posted
May 12, 2000