FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE THROUGH MARCH 26, 2008

PROGRAM INFORMATION CONTACT: 301-454-1484; TTY 301-454-1472
PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND MARKETING CONTACT CRAIG KELLSTROM: 301-699-2531; TTY 301-699-2544

MARCH 20, 2008

PHOTO OPPORTUNITY / ENVIRONMENTAL STORY: NORTH CAROLINA STUDENTS TO DO VOLUNTEER PROJECT IN M-NCPPC PARK

It's not often than you see high school students coming from another state to do a volunteer project. On Wednesday, March 26, 2008 from 7:30-10:30 am a group of 20 high school students, ages 14-18, and six adult chaperones from the Blue Ribbon Mentor-Advocate Program, a program that is part of the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Youth Leadership Institute, will be coming to the Washington, D.C. area for their spring break. As part of their visit to the area, they will complete a volunteer project at the Suitland Bog, 6600 Suitland Road, Suitland, MD, a property owned and operated by The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission's Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George's County.

M-NCPPC's Volunteer Services Office and Park Rangers have coordinated an environmental project at the Suitland Bog which is one of the few remaining bogs in the Washington, DC area, and is home to many rare and beautiful species of plants including carnivorous pitcher plants and sundews.

The group will arrive at the site at 7:30 am, learn about the natural area from Park Rangers, and engage in invasive weed pulls and other projects. They will complete their project by 10 am. Following this project the group then proceeds to Washington, D.C. to engage in more volunteer projects.

For information about this unique project call The M-NCPPC Department of Parks and Recreation Volunteer Services Office at 301-454-1484, TTY 301-454-1472.

NR124.08