Politics Everywhere is a series of events that bring practitioners, policymakers, and community leaders to campus. Each event explores how politics, policy, and institutions shape our daily lives. The series is open to the public and press. Event topics vary because politics is everywhere.
Date: Wednesday, April 29, 2026
Time: 7:00 to 8:45 pm
Location: Fine Arts Recital Hall
The event is free and open to the public, but an RSVP is required.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources and the Baltimore County Department of Recreation and Parks manage some of the most loved government services, programs, and spaces for residents.
Delivering on this work represents an ongoing challenge. Parks, recreation, and public lands receive a single-digit share of the budget in Maryland and Baltimore County, and aging facilities, maintenance, and competing land-use demands strain existing systems and complicate long-term planning. Questions about access, equity, and expansion remain among the most consequential issues they face.
Join us for a wide-ranging discussion on topics from daily operations to long-term planning, featuring a keynote address and a panel discussion with state and Baltimore County leaders.
Keynote
Joshua Kurtz, Secretary, Maryland Department of Natural Resources
Panelists
Angela Crenshaw, Director, Maryland Park Service, Maryland Department of Natural Resources
Bryan Sheppard, Director, Department of Recreation and Parks, Baltimore County
Sandi Olek, Director, Office of Outdoor Recreation, Maryland Department of Natural Resources
Moderators
Eric Luedtke, Director of Capital Projects, Maryland Department of Natural Resources
Mileah Kromer, Director, UMBC Institute of Politics
Event Schedule
8:25 pm: Audience Q&A (time permitting)
8:35 pm: Closing remarks
8:40 pm: Adjourn
This event is co-sponsored by the Center for Social Science Scholarship and the Department of Political Science.
A special thank you to:
IoP sponsored events are open for full participation by all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or any other protected category under applicable federal law, state law, and the University’s nondiscrimination policy.