DEPARTMENT OF RESEARCH AND EDUCATION

The Commission:

Chairman: Earle T. Hawkins, 1958

Franklin Tresselt, Secretary, 1956; B. H. Willier, 1954;
E. N. Cory, 1955; W. Theodore Boston, 1957.
R. V. Truitt, Director

George B. Gray, Administrative Assistant
Solomons Telephone: Solomons 2771

The Department of Research and Education was created in 1941
to function as a fact gathering and fact disseminating agency in the
promotion 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 members appointed by the Governor from among the citizens of
the State, each of whom must have either special gaining in or expe-
rience 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 (Code
1951, Art. 66C, sees. 18-21).

The Department maintains four major programs—research, educa-
tion, hatcheries, and the State Weather Service. The center for the
research and the educational program is at Solomons Island, the
Chesapeake Biological Laboratory. The research program is concerned
primarily with the applied aspects of conservation. Biological and eco-
nomic problems, including hydrography and pollution, dealing with the
more prominent fisheries have been emphasized. A periodical, re-
search reports and educational pamphlets are issued. Emphasis in
education is on the school and college level. Lectures and demonstra-
tions are provided for adults through clubs and other agencies.
Courses are held at the Chesapeake Biological Laboratory for grad-
uate students, teachers, school administrators and conservation law
enforcement officers. Hatcheries for commercial fishes, the yellow
perch and the shad, are provided at Severn Run and on the Potomac
River. Fry are provided for all major tributaries and streams in the
State. The State Weather Service is a joint project of the Federal
and State governments. It provides pertinent and useful informa-
tion to the general public, especially to the farmers and to air and
water transportation interests. Headquarters for the Service are at
Friendship International Airport.

Appropriations 1953 1954
General Fund $160,731 $158,806
Special Fund 2,000 2,000

Total $162,731 $160,806
Staff: 21.