The Department of Research and Education was created to func-
tion as a fact gathering and fact disseminating agency in the promo-
tion of conservation work in Maryland, and to carry on the work of
the State Weather Service. Supervision of the Department is vested
in a Commission of Research and Education, consisting of five mem-
bers appointed by the Governor from among the citizens of the State,
each of whom must have either special training in or experience with
natural resources. The members are appointed for terms of five
years with overlapping tenure of office.

The members of the Commission select their Chairman and appoint
the Director of the Department and such staff members as may be
necessary. All appointed personnel are selected according to the
Merit System Law.

Department Staff

G. F. Beaven, M.A.. Biologist I, Resident Manager.
J. W. Gebhart, Education Assistant.
G. B. Gray, Administrative Assistant.
R. C. Hammer, M.S., Biologist II, Hatcheries.
Harvey Mister, Captain and Fish Culturist.
R. A. Olson, Ph.D., Biologist II, in Charge of Hydrography and Pollu-
tion (active duty U. S. Naval Reserve).
Dorothy Morse, B.S., Chemist III.
Eugene Cronin, M.A., Biologist II, Crabs.
Richard Tiller, M.A.. Biologist II, Fin Fish.
R. V. Truitt, Ph.D., Biologist.
Davis Woodburn, Secretary.

The Department maintains four major programs: Research, educa-
tion, hatcheries, and the State Weather Service. The center for the
researches and the educational program is at Solomons Island, the
Chesapeake Biological Laboratory. With the creation of the Depart-
ment in 1941 work was expanded to cover the several fields of conser-
vation in the State.

The research program is concerned primarily with the applied
aspects of conservation. The work largely has centered around marine
forms. Biological and economic problems, including hydrography
and pollution, dealing with the more prominent fisheries have been
emphasized.

The educational program of the Department is under the direction
of a specialist. A periodical, research reports and educational pamph-
lets are issued. Emphasis in this work is on the school and college
level. Lectures and demonstrations are provided for adults through
clubs and other agencies. Courses are held at the Chesapeake
Biological Laboratory for graduate students, teachers, school admin-
istrators and conservation law enforcement officers.

Hatcheries for commercial fishes, the yellow perch and the shad,
are provided at Severn Run, Denton, Millington, and Havre de Grace,
while in cooperation with the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, shad
hatchery activities are supported on the Potomac River. Fry are
provided for all major tributaries and streams in the State.

The State Weather Service is a cooperative project between the
Federal government and the State engaged in providing pertinent
and useful information to the general public, especially to the far-
mers and to the air and water transportation interests. Headquarters
for the Service are in the U. S. Custom House, Baltimore. In fur-
thering this work, periodic and special publications are issued.