Representing Department of Agriculture: Steven A. Connelly
Representing Department of the Environment: Ben H. Grumbles
Representing Maryland Department of Health: Clifford S. Mitchell, M.D.
Representing Department of Planning: one vacancy
Representing Department of Transportation: one vacancy
Representing Maryland Higher Education Commission: James D. Fielder, Jr., Ph.D.
ADVISORY MEMBERS
Representing Chesapeake Bay Foundation: Thomas C. Ackerman
Representing Chesapeake Bay Trust: Tara Baker
Representing U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service: Karen K. Mullin
Representing National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration: Shannon Sprague
Representing National Aquarium: Joe Harber
Representing Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation: George Mayo
Representing Alice Ferguson Foundation: Emily Leedy
Representing Audubon Maryland-DC: Mark Scallion
Representing Maryland Association for Environmental & Outdoor Education: Laura J. Collard
Representing Maryland Recreation & Parks Association: Charles J. Montrie
Representing National Wildlife Federation: Holly Shields
![[photo, Tawes State Office Building, 580 Taylor Ave., Annapolis, Maryland]](/msa/mdmanual/21dnr/images/1198-1-4069.jpg)
Staff: Britt E. Slattery
Tawes State Office Building, 580 Taylor Ave., Annapolis, Maryland, August 2009. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.
![[photo, Nancy S. Grasmick State Education Building, 200 West Baltimore St., Baltimore, Maryland]](/msa/mdmanual/13sdoe/images/1198-1-10108c.jpg)
Staff: Donna M. Balado
Nancy S. Grasmick State Education Building, 200 West Baltimore St., Baltimore, Maryland, October 2019. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.
In June 2017, the Project Green Classrooms Initiative was authorized by the General Assembly, replacing the Maryland Partnership for Children in Nature (Executive Order 01.01.2017.12).
The Initiative is a renewal of Maryland's commitment both to environmental education, through environmental literacy programs, and to ensuring that Maryland youth experience, understand, and learn to conserve the natural environment. The Initiative is to mobilize resources to increase opportunities so young people may spend more time outdoors, in their communities and on public lands, enjoying play, outdoor recreation, scientific study, and learning. The Initiative also will provide advice and support in the implementation and tracking of Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement goals and outcomes as they relate to environmental education.
Joining the Initiative are the Maryland Higher Education Commission and seven executive departments: Agriculture; Education; Environment; Health; Natural Resources; Planning; and Transportation. Other government agencies and nonprofit organizations participate in the Initiative as nonvoting advisory members. These include: Alice Ferguson Foundation; Audubon Maryland-DC; Chesapeake Bay Foundation; Chesapeake Bay Trust; Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation; Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education; Maryland Recreation and Parks Association; National Aquarium; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; National Wildlife Federation; and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
STEERING COMMITTEE
Karen M. Fedor, Department of Agriculture; Donna M. Balado, State Department of Education; Mark Shaffer, Department of the Environment; vacancy, Maryland Department of Health; Britt E. Slattery, Department of Natural Resources; Deborah Herr Cornwell, Department of Planning; Laura K. W. Rogers, Department of Transportation; vacancy, Maryland Higher Education Commission.
Composed of State agency representatives, the Steering Committee meets regularly to recommend actions for the Initiative to take in advancing its goals.
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