Rec, Parks, and Tourism offers spring break activities
The Charles County Department of Recreation, Parks, and Tourism announces upcoming activities for spring break:
Spring Break Swim (Monday, April 10- Friday, April 14; and Monday, April 17):
Go to one of the indoor pools between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. and pay only $2 admission per person. Children ages 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult 16 or older. Go to www.charlescountyparks.com/recreation/aquatics-general-information to find pool locations.
Elite Gymnastics Drop-In Days (Monday, April 10- Thursday, April 13):
Daily activities include gymnastics instruction, arts and crafts, organized games, and other special projects for children ages 5-14. Campers should bring a bag lunch, drink, and snack daily. The fee is $30 for residents and $35 for non-residents.
Spring Break Camp (Monday, April 10- Thursday, April 13):
Camp is offered at Somers, Wade, and Henson Community Centers. Daily activities include arts and crafts, organized games, and other special projects for children ages 5-14. Campers should bring a bag lunch, drink, and snack daily. The fee is $110/week for residents and $115/week for non-residents.
To register or for more information, call 301-932-3470 or go to www.charlescountyparks.com/recreation/schools-outprograms.
The Department of Recreation, Parks, and Tourism provides a variety of activities. For a complete list of the spring recreational events and activities, go to the spring edition of the GUIDE at www.CharlesCountyParks.com, or call 301-932-3470. Citizens with special needs may contact the Maryland Relay Service at 711, or Relay Service TDD: 800-7352258.
Lukas to lead 2017 March for Babies
Approximately 8,525 babies are born prematurely each year in the state of Maryland. Community leader Michael Lukas, branch head Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren Division, and member of the Greater Waldorf Jaycees, is working to change that as the newly-named chair of 2017 March for Babies.
“As a father, I can’t think of a more important cause than the March of Dimes mission to prevent birth defects and premature birth,” Lukas said. “The money raised by March for Babies gives more babies a fighting chance at a healthy start in life.”
Lukas said he is asking other local businesses and community leaders to join him in support of March for Babies. Last year in Southern Maryland, March for Babies raised more than $152,467, a figure Michael Lukas wants to surpass in 2017. He has made the commitment to raise $40,000 as part of the overall goal of $164,000.
More than 20,000 companies nationwide are participating in 2017 March for Babies, which will take place in about 500 communities.
Southern Maryland residents can sign up at marchforbabies.org, to start a team with co-workers, family or friends; or donate to help more babies survive and thrive. Last year, more than 900 people attended the annual event, which will be held this year on May 7 at Regency Furniture Stadium in Waldorf.
According to the March of Dimes, about 380,000 babies are born too soon in the United States each year — that’s one in 10. Premature birth (before 37 weeks of pregnancy) is the leading cause of death of babies in the U.S. Babies who survive an early birth often face serious and lifelong health problems, including breathing problems, jaundice, vision loss, cerebral palsy and intellectual delays. In addition to the human toll, premature birth accounts for more than $26 billion annually in medical and societal costs, according to the National Academy of Medicine.
NRCS seeks project proposals to protect, restore critical wetlands
Maryland conservation partners now have a new opportunity to work with USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to protect, restore and enhance the state’s critical wetlands through conservation easements.
NRCS will offer technical and financial assistance to foster collaboration with states, local units of governments, non-governmental organizations, and American Indian tribes interested in promoting wetland preservation. Offered through the Wetland Reserve Enhancement Partnership (WREP), this funding will enable partners to help landowners enroll wetlands into easements and adopt conservation practices that improve their function and condition.
Easements enable landowners to adopt a variety of conservation practices that improve the function and condition of wetlands.
The voluntary nature of NRCS’ easement programs enables effective integration of wetland restoration on working landscapes, providing benefits to farmers and ranchers who enroll in the program, as well as benefits to the local and rural communities where the wetlands exist.
This year, NRCS is encouraging partners to propose projects that focus on improving water quality as well as habitat on working landscapes in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. A number of at-risk species rely on Maryland’s wetlands, including the American black duck and bog turtle, as well as a variety of mussel and fish species.
Interested entities should submit proposals to the Maryland State Office by April 24.
Applications must be emailed to Tiffany Davis, easement program manager, at tiffany.davis@md.usda.gov and two hard copies must be mailed to Tiffany Davis, USDA-NRCS, 339 Busch’s Frontage Road, Suite 301, Annapolis, MD 21409.