Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan will create an Office of Outdoor Recreation within the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR). J. Daryl Anthony will serve as its first executive director.
“One of our state’s hallmarks is the stewardship of our lands and waters by the Marylanders who love them,” Hogan said. “Our sportsmen and women were among the first conservationists to support efforts to protect fish, wildlife, and their habitat. Today we are honoring this partnership for the outdoors while assuring that it continues to grow with the establishment of Maryland’s first Office of Outdoor Recreation.”
The news was well-received by the Outdoor Recreation table, which said the entire recreation industry applauded the office’s creation.
“As a Marylander myself, I am in awe of all the state has to offer when it comes to recreation on the land and water and we were incredibly lucky to have Secretary (Kelly) Schulz and Secretary (Jeannie) Haddaway-Riccio’s leadership on the Outdoor Recreation Economic Commission that recommended the creation of this office,” ORR Executive Director Jessica Wahl Turner said. “We know that outdoor recreation drives nearly 90,000 jobs and contributes over $7 billion to the state’s economy while positively boosting public health and our quality of life, particularly during the pandemic. By creating this office, Gov. Hogan recognizes outdoor experiences are not a nice-to-have but a must-have and we all stand ready as key partners to protect the places that make Maryland such a great place to live and work.”
Anthony will work with DNR, the Maryland Department of Commerce, and other agencies and stakeholders to support and enhance outdoor recreation opportunities and the economic benefits they produce, the governor’s office stated. Work includes implementation of the recommendations of the Maryland Outdoor Recreation Economic Commission (MOREC), which the governor established by executive order in 2017.
Haddaway-Riccio, of DNR, and Schulz, of the Maryland Department of Commerce, co-chaired the commission and continue working to enact its recommendations, including naming dozens of businesses and organizations as Maryland Outdoor Recreation Ambassadors.
The announcement comes in advance of National Public Lands Day and National Hunting and Fishing Day, both observed Sept. 25.
“I am honored and pleased to help lead the effort to enhance outdoor recreation in Maryland,” said Anthony. “With the leadership of Gov. Hogan, Lt. Gov. Rutherford, Secretary Riccio, and Secretary Schulz, I believe this is an exciting time to build and grow upon Maryland’s world-class outdoor recreation capabilities.”
Anthony served 35 years with DNR, ultimately as assistant secretary for land resources. He joined DNR in 1983 as a park ranger at Patapsco Valley State Park in Howard County and served as regional manager for the Maryland Park Service’s southern, central, and western regions until Gov. Hogan appointed him assistant secretary in 2015.
