The Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ own Jamie Weaver was named Forester of the Year by the Northeastern Area Association of State Foresters. Weaver, a watershed forester, works to enhance forest lands and water quality in Baltimore and Carroll counties.
Officers, park employees and civilians were honored for their contributions to conservation law enforcement in 2015 during the Maryland Natural Resources Police annual awards ceremony.
As a reminder, riparian (waterfront) property owners who want to apply for offshore blind and shoreline licensing must have their applications postmarked before June 1.
A Pennsylvania man won the Maryland Black Bear Conservation Stamp Design Contest and the top Migratory Game Bird Stamp Design went to a St. Mary’s County man, as chosen by a panel of judges last week at the annual Ward World Championship Wildfowl Carving Competition and Art Festival in Ocean City, Md.
As part of Maryland’s annual recognition of outstanding individuals in the tree farm industry, landowner Robert Shives has been named Tree Farmer of the Year, and state project forester Dan Hedderick earned Tree Farm Inspector of the Year in awards given by the Maryland Tree Farm Committee earlier this month.
Record Grass Abundance Indicates Progress on Bay Restoration and Improved Water Quality The Maryland Department of Natural Resources reported today that underwater grass abundance – a key indicator of water quality– in the state’s portion of the Chesapeake Bay increased 29 percent between 2014 and 2015, reaching a new record of 53,277 acres. This puts Read the Rest…
On weekends from Memorial Day through Labor day at Susquehanna State Park, visitors can view a collection of ancient, carved rock fragments, known as the Bald Friar Petroglyphs. These storied stones, which are thought to have been carved by American Indians, were once part of an historic island-sized boulder that parted the waters of the Read the Rest…
Legislation signed today from the 2016 General Assembly permits turkey hunting on private land in Carroll County on all remaining Sundays during the 2016 spring season ─ May 1, 8, 15 and 22.
Department to Host Trainings Statewide, Seeks Participants Citizens and scientists are working together to tackle the problem of invasive plants on state lands through the Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ new Statewide Eyes program. Statewide Eyes is seeking people interested in identifying and mapping invasive plants that threaten ecologically sensitive sites.
Two men were charged with baiting turkey and a man was charged with illegally dumping fish and geese last week in separate cases brought by the Maryland Natural Resources Police.
Investigators for the Maryland Natural Resources Police are asking for the public’s help in identifying and locating individuals who broke into and vandalized the Thomas Point Lighthouse between April 15-16.
Maryland Park Service to Honor “Every Kid in a Park” Pass In recognition of the National Park Service’s Centennial celebration, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan and Natural Resources Secretary Mark Belton announced today that the Maryland Park Service will honor the national “Every Kid in a Park” program. Through this initiative, which provides complimentary national park Read the Rest…
Record Number of Students Submit Original Art Inspired by Nature In celebration of Earth Day, the Department of Natural Resources and the Department of the Environment today announced the winners of their annual Color Maryland Green contest. A record 300 students, grades K-12, submitted original artwork, film and poetry inspired by their appreciation for the Maryland’s great Read the Rest…
Striped bass poaching cases on the Eastern Shore, illegal turkey hunting in western Maryland, and the arrest of a drunken driver in Washington County highlight cases recently handled by the Maryland Natural Resources Police.
Black bears are starting to leave their dens after a long winter slumber and search for food. Since natural foods, such as plants, berries and insects are scarce in the early spring, bears are particularly attracted to human-provided sources. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources reminds Marylanders to be proactive and exercise good judgment to Read the Rest…
After spending several months obtaining and reviewing public input, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources has selected regulation changes for the 2016-17 and 2017-18 hunting seasons. The regulations are currently being drafted and will be submitted to the Maryland Register for final approval.
Junior Turkey Hunt Days April 16-17 Youth hunters will kick-off Maryland’s spring turkey season with a Junior Turkey Hunt Day on April 16 statewide and on April 17 in select Sunday hunting counties. The regular spring turkey season will run from April 18 through May 23 statewide.
Spawning-Age Female Number Nearly Doubles The Maryland Department of Natural Resources today released the results of the 2016 Blue Crab Winter Dredge Survey, which show another year of growth in the stock of the Chesapeake Bay crab population and bodes well for a better harvest this year. The survey indicates a bay-wide crab population of Read the Rest…
Responses due May 8 The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is seeking public comment on its draft State Wildlife Action Plan, a plan that each state is required to review and revise every 10 years as requested by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Two men were charged with poaching striped bass, and an incident involving animal cruelty was settled in court this week in cases brought by the Maryland Natural Resources Police.
The Board of Public Works today granted approval for the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to move forward with the Bloede Dam removal project. The department and its partners have been working for several years on a comprehensive, cost-effective plan to remove the public safety hazard and fish obstruction on the Patapsco River in Patapsco Valley Read the Rest…
The Department of Natural Resources today announced the winners of the 2016 Maryland Arbor Day poster contest open to fifth-graders across the state. The top three contestants were chosen from more than 500, who submitted art showcasing the importance of trees in urban environments as per this year’s theme, Trees are Terrific… in Cities and Read the Rest…
Gift of Trees Program Helps Beautify Communities In one of the largest projects in Gift of Trees history, the Maryland Forest Service donated 625 trees to school and community groups for planting on 13 public properties throughout Allegany County.
A Howard County man has been charged with illegal dirt bike riding at a state park, assaulting a police officer, providing false information and resisting arrest, the Maryland Natural Resources Police said.
Governor Larry Hogan signed HB 462, a bill that restores and protects state funding to transfer tax-funded land conservation, preservation and recreation programs, into law this morning at an event at the State House. Maryland Department of Natural Resources Secretary Mark Belton, Assistant Secretary Daryl Anthony, and Land Acquisition and Planning Director Emily Wilson were all Read the Rest…
The former police chief of Crisfield was arrested Thursday by a Natural Resources Police investigator and charged with setting a fire last September in a grove of pine trees.