Cumberland, Md. (September 7, 2011) - On Saturday September 24, 2011, Home Ground will present “Discover Allegany Outdoors.…A Nature and Outdoor Recreation Festival. “  This event will take place at Rocky Gap State Park’s Mountain View Pavilion from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. and is being co-sponsored by Western Maryland Adventures and Rocky Gap State Park.

Free activities for families and individuals interested in outdoor experiences will include geocaching, canoeing and kayaking, fly fishing, a scavenger hunt, a butterfly hike, introduction to the basics of fishing, a shoreline nature search, wildlife  silhouettes for preschoolers to paint, and a pontoon boat tour of Lake Habeeb.  Opening remarks will be made by Kevin Dodge, the Program Director of the Natural Resources and Wildlife Technology Program at Garrett Community College, and there will be displays about conservation law enforcement staffed by the Maryland Natural Resources Police and concepts of forest management staffed by Green Ridge State Forest employees.

Home Ground was founded in early 2011 by county citizens who love nature and value the benefits that nature provides to our lives in Allegany County.  Tom Mathews, Chairman of the Home Ground Board of Directors stated that “Our mission is to increase the knowledge of Allegany County’s natural assets, inspiring citizens to support sustainable use and conservation of our land and water resources.”

Home Ground is dedicated to providing learning experiences in nature and outdoor recreation for the community, students, nature enthusiasts, business leaders, and families.  Future programs will be designed to increase knowledge and enjoyment of our region’s unique natural heritage so that folks become more comfortable outside and appreciate more fully the vital role of nature in our lives.

Other Cumberland residents who volunteer on the Board are Harold Hipsley, Mary Huebner and Mark Moessinger. Frostburg residents are Kurt Hoffman, Raquel Ketterman, Secretary Kelly Martin and Treasurer Guy Winterberg. Georgene McLaughlin and Molly Mastrangelo are from Oldtown and Barbara Johnson is from LaVale.

Home Ground is supported by memberships and donations.  For more information, visit www.homegroundallco.org.