MAG Supports National Public Lands Day

Fifty six midshipmen from the Naval Academy’s Midshipman Action Group participated in an environmental clean-up at Greenbury Point Nature Center Oct. 15 in recognition of National Public Lands Day.

National Public Lands Day is the nation's largest hands-on volunteer effort to improve and enhance public lands in the U.S. The annual event celebrates service and recreation on public lands while educating volunteers about the effects of climate change in parks.

The mids removed invasive plants, cleared trails and cut back bushes, picked up trash, and cleaned up the nature center’s building. They also took the opportunity to talk about the academy to local youth volunteers, said Midshipman 2nd Class Oheneba Duodu, the project leader.

“It is a great feeling to go out and do something for the community,” said Duodu. “It helps me to develop my leadership skills as a future naval officer. I am sure this will have a huge impact in my naval career.”

Gathering a group of midshipmen, explaining to them everything that needs to be done, and earning their support is not an easy task, said Duodu.

“Everyone was on board and very respectful,” he said. “We all enjoyed it.”

National Public Lands Day engages a diverse audience of adult and youth volunteers to get outdoors and improve their lands, whether at the grandest national park or at an urban park in their neighborhood. It is designed to inspire a new generation of volunteers committed to service on public lands.

The event also encourages volunteers to explore and enjoy America's natural wonders through outdoor recreation. After working hard, volunteers can take a hike, a swim, or a bicycle ride, and get healthy in America's backyard.

Established in 1992 as a community relations program organized and maintained by the Brigade of Midshipmen, MAG currently offers a variety of educational, environmental and social service volunteer projects. Coordinated with community partners from the Annapolis, Baltimore and Washington D.C. areas, as well as regional and national partners, MAG averages over 20,000 hours of community service annually. MAG prepares midshipmen for future service by encouraging peer leadership, teamwork, character devel-opment, morale, selflessness and goodwill towards others.