Waching daily Jul 3 2017

[Sound of frogs]

Hello and welcome to AccessDNR, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources' monthly

video newsletter!

This month - Sandy Point goes solar, we go waist deep for water quality, wildlife researchers

get down and dirty and a whole lot more!

I'm your host, Anna Lucente-Hoffmann – and this is AccessDNR!

[AccessDNR Theme Music]

In our first story, Sandy Point State Park in Anne Arundel County finds a new way to

capitalize on sunshine – they're installing solar panels.

Over the last few weeks, workers have installed support structures and begun hanging solar

panels on the roofs of the park's maintenance buildings with other structures to follow.

When the project is completed, the complex will boast 285 panels, solar water heaters

and high efficiency lighting – all of which bring substantial energy savings to the park

and the public.

Up next, it's to the State House we go for the annual meeting of the Chesapeake Executive

Council.

During the meeting, Governor Larry Hogan was unanimously elected to serve as the new chair

– succeeding Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe.

Under Governor Hogan's leadership, Maryland has invested an unprecedented $3 billion on

environmental and natural resources priorities, including fully-funding the Chesapeake and

Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund for the last two years.

Congratulations Governor!

Later in the month, we motor 30 miles off the coast of Ocean City in Worcester County

for a first-hand look at sustainable shark fishing.

Long time Charter Boat Captain and conservationist Mark Sampson, gave us this up-close and personal

opportunity to document the hook removal process for sharks caught on circle hooks – which

have been proven more effective than J hooks.

Want to learn more?

Check out the upcoming, summer edition of our seasonal magazine, the Maryland Natural

Resource, which features an article from Angel Willey, our Coastal Fisheries Program Manager.

Pick up a subscription and other must-have goodies at ShopDNR.com.

In other news, 2017 marks the 30th anniversary of Bernie Fowlers' Patuxent River Wade-In.

Mr. Fowler is a former State Senator and a long time environmental advocate.

Each year - he leads family, old friends and new friends – hand-in-hand – into the

waters of the Patuxent River to measure water clarity using the famous "Sneaker Index."

This year's result … 41 and a half inches!

Great job, Bernie!

For our last recap, we join forces with staff from our Wildlife and Heritage Service and

a team of volunteers to wrap up the department's spring bog turtle survey.

Bog turtles are the smallest turtles in North America and one of Maryland's most compelling

reptiles.

To better understand this threatened species, we conduct annual population studies.

The data collected is used by conservation professionals to better inform habitat management

decisions and more.

Going Forward - we want to enthusiastically invite everyone to celebrate America's Independence

Day in style – at one of our spectacular state parks.

Stop in for any manner of adventure or make a plan to have a picnic, go camping, or stay

in one of our many beautiful cabins.

Discover the best kept secret in family fun by visiting ParkReservations.maryland.gov

Well that's it for this month.

For the latest events, programs or news – please be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter,

subscribe to our magazine and newsletter, and download our free mobile app.

For those of you on YouTube, please - give us a thumbs-up, subscribe to our channel,

and don't forget to share our videos with your family and friends.

I'm Anna Lucente-Hoffmann, thanks for joining us – we'll see you next month!