Maryland Marine Notes: January-February 1998 Article

Volume 16, Number 1 • January-February 1998

Fowler Receives Bay Award

The Chesapeake Bay Trust presented the first Ellen Fraites Wagner Award to Senator Bernie Fowler in January at the Second Annual Governor's Tributary Teams Conference at the University of Maryland in College Park.

Chesapeake Bay Trust Board member and former Governor Harry Hughes presented the Award to Fowler at a luncheon ceremony. "Bernie's love and leadership for the Chesapeake has influenced thousands of people and activities," noted Hughes. "He exemplifies the mission of the Chesapeake Bay Trust - promoting public awareness and involvement in the restoration and protection of the Chesapeake Bay."

A lifelong resident of Calvert County, Fowler has led efforts to restore the Bay as a waterman, County Commissioner, and State Senator. He has chaired the Patuxent River Commission and led development of Patuxent River policy, and has served on the Chesapeake Bay Commission, Chesapeake Bay Program, the Oyster Recovery Program, and the Hughes Commission.

But Fowler is perhaps best known for the Annual Bernie Fowler Wade In and Sneaker Index, a June ritual in which he wades into the Patuxent River off Broome's Island to see how deep his sneakers will still be visible. This popular gauge of Bay health has caught public attention nationwide and has focused that attention on Marylanders' shared responsibility in taking care of the Chesapeake.

Named in honor of the Hughes administration staffer who came up with the idea for the Chesapeake Bay Trust, the Ellen Fraites Wagner Award is a bronze statue of a blue heron, the Chesapeake Bay Trust (CBT) logo. CBT Chairman Senator Art Dormon reiterated Hughes's praise of Fowler. "I have had the pleasure of working with Bernie in the Senate on many Bay issues - he is the perfect recipient of this first Award."

Established by the General Assembly of Maryland in 1985, the Chesapeake Bay Trust is a private, nonprofit grantmaking foundation. Proceeds from private donations, the Line 63a Maryland Income Tax Checkoff, and the popular "Treasure the Chesapeake" blue heron commemorative license plates have allowed the Trust to fund 3,000 grants to 1,400 different schools, nonprofits, community associations and public agencies - totalling over $7 million since 1985.

Nomination applications for the 1999 Award will be available in September. For more information about the Ellen Fraites Wagner Award or how to apply for a grant, contact the Chesapeake Bay Trust at (410) 974-2941.

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