State inmates will be caring for trees that someday will go in Howard County parks as part of a new state program.

Inmates from the Patuxent Institution in Jessup will care for 1,000 trees until they are mature enough to be moved into local parks, according to a news release from county officials. The initiative is part of Gov. Martin O'Malley's "Maryland: Smart, Green & Growing" program, a statewide plan to link agencies together in programs that benefit the environment.

"In these tough economic times, government must work smarter and more efficiently than ever," County Executive Kenneth Ulman said in a statement. "This program does just that: State and local governments are working together, using existing resources, to protect the environment."

Last week, O'Malley joined Ulman and other state officials as inmates planted seeds outdoors on the prison grounds. Statewide, inmates are planting 38,000 trees this year, the release states.

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