MediaPress Release

Saturday, May 13, First Rhode River Wade-In Marks the Opening of a New Gateway to the Chesapeake Bay

May 4, 2006

Maryland Department of the Environment Secretary Kendl P. Philbrick, Maryland Delegate Virginia P. Clagett and Former State Senator Bernie Fowler will preside over SERC’s first annual Rhode River Wade-In on May 13th during the Open House for Nature. The event will mark the establishment of SERC as a new Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network Site and kick off the start of the new Friends of SERC program.

As a member of the Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network and with the support of the new Friends of SERC, the center will be broadening its outreach programs, increasing public access to the site and bringing a better understanding of critical environmental issues to the public.

10:30   Mr. Terrence Smith, Master of Ceremonies, Media Correspondent, The News Hour

 “Welcome & Introductions”

10:35      Dr. Anson “Tuck” Hines, Director SERC:   “SERC science for restoring the Bay: Water quality as a key”   “Friends of SERC – founding a partnership”

10:40   Mr. Robert Gallagher, RiverKeeper, West & Rhode Rivers:  “Citizen participation”

10:45   Ms. Ginger Ellis, Director of Environmental & Cultural Resources,Anne Arundel County“ SERC as a new site in the Chesapeake Gateways Network”

 10:50   Honorable Virginia Clagett, Maryland House of Delegates  “Unique features of the West and Rhode Rivers”

10:55   Secretary Philbrick, Maryland Department of the Environment “Commitment of government for restoring and protecting the Bay”

11:00   Honorable Bernie Fowler, Former Maryland Senator “History of the Wade-In and its significance”

11:05   Cutting the ribbon for the Chesapeake Gateways, Wade-In with Former  Senator Bernie Fowler.

Boat tours and other Open House events will continue throughout the day.
For more information on Open House see www.serc.si.edu/

Since 1965, SERC has pioneered the study of ecosystems in the coastal zone. The expertise of our senior scientists ranges from the relationship between land use, nutrient runoff and water quality to the impacts of atmospheric carbon dioxide and ultra violet radiation on the environment, and the sources and impacts of marine invasive species around the globe.

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