Volume III, Number 2

 June 2007

eMDE is a monthly publication of the Maryland Department of the Environment. It covers articles on current environmental issues and events in the state. 

Attorney General and MDE Secretary “On the Scene” To Teach Students About Environmental Crimes

By Kim Lamphier, Office of Communications

Click on photo to view larger image

The sixth graders prepared for the special class, which lMaryland Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler and Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) Secretary Shari T. Wilson enlisted future generations in their ongoing fight against environmental crimes. Maryland’s top officials in environmental law enforcement visited Baltimore City and Montgomery County school students on May 15. “One of the best ways to battle environmental crime is by teaching students about the importance of reporting environmental crimes,” said Attorney General Gansler.

Secretary Wilson and the Attorney General held an outdoor science class with students at Calverton Middle School in Baltimore City and Eastern Middle School in Montgomery County. A mock environmental crime scene staged by members of MDE’s Emergency Response Division allowed students to gain first-hand experience in identifying environmental crimes. Students worked in groups to “process the scene” and looked for clues to try to “solve” the crime, while learning how criminal investigators and emergency responders work together to fight environmental crimes.

Fostering an Environmental Ethic
“By participating in this exercise we are hoping these young people will develop an environmental ethic,” said Environment Secretary Wilson. “We’re fostering a belief that crimes and activities that harm our natural world are reportable and significant. We teach young citizens that there are easy steps that each of us can take to make a positive difference and protect our communities.”

Homework Can Be Fun
asted 90 minutes, by studying and researching environmental issues. This prepared the enthusiastic groups to participate with their shared knowledge.

“Teaching kids about environmental crime, and how they can help protect their communities keeps the kids safe and encourages prompt reporting,” said Attorney General Gansler. “We also want to get the message out to the public that these crimes are felonies and carry significant jail terms.”

The “scene” is designed to represent a typical hazardous waste dumping site that criminal investigators and emergency responders regularly handle. Secretary Wilson and the Attorney General lead the session and spoke with students about types of environmental crimes and the damage they cause to the environment. 

To report suspected environmental crimes, call the Attorney General’s Environmental Crimes Unit at (410) 537-3333, your local police or MDE’s 24-hour hotline (toll free in Maryland) at (866) MDE-GOTO.

Click here for MDE's communications about enforcement activities. Click here for more information about the Attorney General’s Environmental Crimes Unit. Click here for more information on environmental education.

Subscribe/Unsubscribe

©2007 Copyright MDE