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Maryland Department of the Environment

Governor Martin O’Malley and partners to award Governor’s Cup for DataBay Hackathon Challenge

Media Contacts:

Jay Apperson
jay.apperson@maryland.gov
Adrienne Diaczok
adrienne.diaczok@maryland.gov
410-537-3003

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Governor Martin O’Malley and partners to award Governor’s Cup for DataBay Hackathon Challenge 

Four finalist teams will compete for the chance to win a $4,000 cash prize  

ANNAPOLIS, MD (August 25, 2014) — An app that makes citizens aware of the actions they can take to reclaim the Chesapeake Bay; another that rewards users with incentives for their contributions to Chesapeake Bay restoration; applications using maps and crowdsourcing to bring better information to citizens, researchers, scientists and government – only one will be chosen as the winner of the first DataBay “Reclaim the Bay” Innovation Challenge. Four teams: MyBay, Bay Bucks, ChesaPeaks and EcoSleuth will present their ideas to Governor O’Malley and a panel of entrepreneurs and environmental scientists. The team whose application is chosen will win a $4,000 prize.

The DataBay “Reclaim the Bay” Innovation Challenge brought together scientists, programmers, techies and other civic hackers to create data-driven applications that increase public engagement and aid in Chesapeake Bay restoration. The Challenge, created by Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley and DataBay partners, kicked off earlier this month and featured  prominent environmental futurists who explained the Chesapeake Bay’s challenges and needs.

WHO:  

  • Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley

  • Jana Davis, Executive Director, Chesapeake Bay Trust

  • Alison Prost, Maryland Director, Chesapeake Bay Foundation

  • Asher Epstein, COO, Access Health Group

  • Guy Filippelli, CEO, Red Owl Analytics

  • Vince Talbert, Board Chair, Network for Good

  • Team Finalist MyBay

  • Team Finalist Bay Bucks

  • Team Finalist ChesaPeaks

  • Team Finalist EcoSleuth

WHEN:  Wednesday, August 27, 2014, 6 p.m. (By invitation only. Press: please RSVP to adrienne.diaczok@maryland.gov)

WHERE:  Maryland State House, 100 State Circle, Annapolis, Maryland 21401

WHY:  Harnessing the power of new technologies, open data and innovation has the potential to reverse hundreds of years of Chesapeake Bay decline by fostering an unprecedented strengthening of public engagement and interest in restoring the Bay.

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