News Release

Annapolis Maritime Museum / 723 Second St / Annapolis, MD 21403
Contact: Jeff Holland / 410-295-0104

FROM SENATOR CARDIN'S OFFICE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Oct. 21, 2011

Contact: Sue Walitsky 202-224-4524 or 202-320-0819 (cell)

*** MEDIA ADVISORY ***

CARDIN TO JOIN NOAA FOR ANOUNCEMENT OF MAJOR GRANT AWARD
TO ANNAPOLIS MARITIME MUSEUM FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

On Monday, October 24 at 10:00am, U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) will join senior officials from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), as well as Congressman John Sarbanes and senior officials from Annapolis, to announce a major grant to the Annapolis Maritime Museum for its innovative education program “MUDDY FEET” (Maritime Unbounded Damp and Dirty Yucky Fun Environmental Education and Training).

“These NOAA grants are not easy to get, especially in these tough economic times. As state budgets get thinner, the competition for these grants gets fiercer. The fact that the Annapolis Maritime Museum is receiving this award speaks to the excellence and effectiveness of the MUDDY FEET program,” said Senator Cardin, Chairman of the Senate Water and Wildlife Subcommittee. “Environmental literacy is essential for survival in the 21st century economy. It is increasingly important component of a comprehensive curriculum for American children.”

WHAT: NOAA Grant Announcement for Annapolis Maritime Museum

WHO:
U.S Senator Ben Cardin
Congressman John Sarbanes
Peyton Robertson, Director, NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office
Frank Dawson, Assistant Secretary, Maryland Dept of Natural Resources
Dr. Kevin Maxwell, Superintendant, Anne Arundel County Public Schools
Eric M. Rubin, Chairman, Annapolis Maritime Museum
Jana Davis, PhD, Assoc. Exec Director & Chief Scientist, Chesapeake Bay Trust
Alderman Ross Arnett, representing Mayor Josh Cohen, City of Annapolis
Rev. Dr. Patricia Johnson, Pastor, Mt. Zion UM Church
Students from the Eastport Elementary School singing a song they wrote, led by singer/songwriter Janie Meneely

WHEN: Monday, October 24 at 10:00am

WHERE: Annapolis Maritime Museum, 723 Second Street, Annapolis, MD 21403

MUDDY FEET works to connect the students of Annapolis and Anne Arundel County with the environmental issues impacting the Chesapeake Bay as well as the cultural heritage of the people who work the water, harvesting seafood and processing it in places like the McNasby Oyster Co., now the home of the Museum. The curricula have been developed in partnership with Anne Arundel County School teachers and administrators to assure that they adhere to county and state standards. The funding supports Anne Arundel County’s goal to graduate environmentally literate students. Maryland was the first state to mandate an environmental literacy requirement for all graduating students.

The NOAA grant has been matched by grants from the Chesapeake Bay Trust, the Bank of America Foundation, the Carol M. Jacobsohn Foundation, the City of Annapolis, and funds from the members of the Annapolis Maritime Museum. Corporate partners Watermark Cruises and the Annapolis Bus Company provide substantial in-kind services. This past year, 48 volunteers donated more than 2,500 hours of their time, talent and energy to the program.

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