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July 18, 2022
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Silvana Quiroz
(301) 699-3500 x6158
Silvana.Quiroz@pgcmls.info

The Patuxent Riverkeeper Talks Environmental Justice at Library

Largo, MD -  The Prince George’s County Memorial Library System (PGCMLS) will host a special environmental justice education event this week at the South Bowie Branch Library. Patuxent Riverkeeper Fred Tutman will discuss work to protect and preserve the Patuxent River. The Patuxent is not only the longest and deepest river to run exclusively in Maryland. It is also considered one of the most beautiful sites in Prince George's County and the State of Maryland. The river is additionally a valuable natural resource providing drinking water for two Counties. Unfortunately, it routinely gets a D- for the water quality. For many years, it has been part of a struggle to withstand polluting industries and corruption of the water quality and local community.  

During the past 19 years, Fred Tutman has been an environmental advocate and protector of the Patuxent River. He is one of 350 river keepers in the world and has personal ties to preserving the Patuxent river because he has lived his entire life along the water's edge. He is also looking to have a more profound impact as the only African-American riverkeeper in the country. "The river is some kind of life force, something more powerful that runs through counties not only connects communities, it also divides them; the haves and the have nots, the rich and the poor, is a lot of different layers, a big river with big problems," stated Tutman on SoundCloud as part of Environmental Health News.  

The Prince George's County Memorial Library System (PGCMLS) will host the Environmental Justice and the Patuxent River event on Wednesday, July 20, from 6:30 -7:30 pm at the South Bowie Branch Library. Mr. Tutman will discuss his work and the modern advocacy movement to save the Chesapeake Bay during the event. Visit pgcmls.info for more information about the event.

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About Prince George’s County Memorial Library System

The Prince George’s County Memorial Library System (PGCMLS) helps customers discover and define opportunities that shape their lives. The Library serves the 967,000+ residents of Prince George’s County, Maryland through 19 branch libraries, a 24/7 online library, and pop-up services throughout the community. PGCMLS is a responsive and trusted community-driven organization. Programs, services, and outreach activities serve booklovers, immigrants and refugees, job seekers, children, young professionals, seniors, and families alike. PGCMLS is the recipient of the 2021 Urban Libraries Council Top Innovator Award for Workforce and Economic
Development. Learn more at pgcmls.info/about-us.