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Despite increased water releases at the Conowingo Dam in the past week, water temperatures in the lower river area are climbing into the mid 70s this week. Fishing for channel and flathead catfish near the dam pool and the lower river has been very good.
18 Maryland Counties Receive Waterway Improvement Fund Grants The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is providing $10.5 million in Waterway Improvement Fund grants to improve public boating access and navigation throughout the state. Passed by the Maryland General Assembly and signed by Governor Larry Hogan, this critical funding will go toward 49 projects in 18 counties from Allegany Read the Rest…
Lexington Park Resident Sets Standard with 8.27-Pound Catch The Maryland Department of Natural Resources confirmed a St. Mary’s County man has set a new state fishing record for white catfish. The fish was recognized as a game fish a few years ago, but until now nobody had broken the seven-pound minimum weight to be eligible for state Read the Rest…
“Es Mi Parque” Engages and Serves State Park Visitors The Maryland Department of Natural Resources kicked off a new citizen outreach program, “Es Mi Parque,” or “This is My Park,” designed to better serve the growing Hispanic population at state parks throughout Maryland. The first outreach event of 2017 took place June 10 at Sandy Point State Park in Annapolis.
A Dundalk man was found guilty Thursday in district court of stealing Maryland state park passes and waterfowl hunting stamps, and selling them online. Charles Edward Ruddlesden Jr., 22, was sentenced to 90 days in the Baltimore County Detention Center and was ordered to pay $150 in restitution to the state.
Signs New Executive Order Promoting Outdoor Learning For Maryland Youth Governor Larry Hogan is renewing Maryland’s commitment to environmental education to ensure that every child in Maryland has the opportunity to learn about their local environment, develop a connection with nature, and have a better sense of place in their natural surroundings. The governor today Read the Rest…
Maryland Department of Natural Resources Awards $21.54 Million to 18 Local Projects Governor Larry Hogan today announced that the Maryland Department of Natural Resources has awarded funding to 18 recipients through the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund to improve the health of Maryland’s waterways. The Trust Fund directs critical grant funding to the most cost-effective and efficient Read the Rest…
The weather forecast looks very promising for this coming weekend. For those looking for some family fun, there could hardly be anything better than participating in one of Maryland’s free fishing days, or going to one of many other children’s fishing events also being held this Saturday.
460-Acre Parcel Set to Become Bohemia River State Park The Board of Public Works today unanimously approved a Maryland Department of Natural Resources item to acquire 460 acres in Cecil County for the future development of a new state park. The new water-access site, located near Chesapeake City, will complement existing Maryland Park Service properties in the Read the Rest…
A Charles County man was arrested on criminal assault charges after anglers on Middletown Branch complained that he fired on them. The victims told Maryland Natural Resources Police officers that they were bowfishing at about 10:30 p.m. May 13, when a man began yelling obscenities at them and shining a light on them. They then Read the Rest…
Annual Event Takes Place June 3 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Children can experience what life would have been like in the 18th Century by taking part in Colonial Children’s Day June 3 at Fort Frederick State Park. Youngsters, ages 8 to 12 years old, can participate in pastimes offered by the Maryland Park Service, with games Read the Rest…
Beach Visitors Encouraged to Help Arthropods in Trouble Through the month of June, visitors to Maryland’s beaches can expect an astonishing sight – millions of horseshoe crabs will make their annual pilgrimage from the Atlantic Ocean to our shores. Dating back at least 350 million years, it’s one of the largest spawning events of horseshoe crabs in the Read the Rest…
June is Great Outdoors Month Children are counting down to summer vacation in hours, not days. Fireflies are beginning to light up the backyard. And bikes, kayaks, tents, camp stoves, snorkels and other gear are coming out of storage. June is Great Outdoors Month, and it’s time to go outside and play!
State Agencies Report Progress on Implementing Construction Program Maryland state agencies have reported their progress in implementing the Coast Smart Construction Program, a statewide effort to address impacts from coastal flooding, storm inundation and sea level rise on state-funded building projects. These initiatives are recorded in the first Annual Report issued by the Maryland Coast Smart Read the Rest…
Nicole Carlozo is a Natural Resource Resiliency Planner for the Chesapeake and Coastal Service. Specializing in coastal resiliency and spatial analysis, she works to integrate climate change and coastal data into the state’s conservation, restoration and waterfront planning activities.
As of April 2017, the Pocomoke River Restoration project has reconnected approximately 2,032 acres of floodplain forested wetlands with Pocomoke River. Additionally, in late 2016 the Nature Conservancy acquired a 693-acre farm in the headwaters of Nassawango Creek. Future plans include using this site to demonstrate agricultural best management practices, including wetland restoration and ditch enhancement techniques, Read the Rest…
Marine Mammal, Sea Turtle Strandings Should be Reported As warm weather settles in and the days grow longer, Maryland’s waters become a destination not for just humans, but also marine animals. In the past century, 23 different species of marine mammals and sea turtles have been documented in and around state waters. Visitors include bottlenose dolphins, Read the Rest…
A Florida man was arrested and charged with a handgun violation Sunday by Maryland Natural Resources Police officers at an event at the Maryland State Fairgrounds. Michael Steven Friend Jr., 32, of Port Saint Lucie, was a vendor at the Repitcon Reptile Show when officers checking for the sale of illegal species noticed he was Read the Rest…
Most enjoyed a nice break in the weather over the Memorial Day Weekend although there were scattered showers at times. The forecast for the rest of the week promises sunny and warmer weather. Those that fish the Chesapeake for striped bass are looking forward to all waters of the bay being open to striped bass Read the Rest…
Striped Bass Fishing Expands Baywide Anglers wanting to get in on this year’s striped bass fishing season will have more areas to fish starting June 1. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced the official opening of the summer/fall striped bass season with no exclusions on where anglers can catch the state fish. All areas of Read the Rest…
Garrett County Leads State with 429 Birds The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced today that hunters reported harvesting 4,175 wild turkeys during the 2017 regular spring and junior hunt turkey seasons. This year’s harvest was 8 percent higher than 2016 (3,874) and marked the third consecutive record harvest in the state. It is also well above Read the Rest…
Lifeguards on Duty from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Now through Labor Day The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is pleased to announce that the Assateague State Park beach patrol earned its national certification from the United States Lifesaving Association, America’s nonprofit professional association of beach lifeguards and open water rescuers.
Maryland’s “Ride Inside” Campaign Launched During National Boating Safety Week As the boating season gets underway this Memorial Day weekend, state enforcement officials and partners are urging Maryland residents and visitors to take simple, proven steps to keep safe. This week, Maryland Natural Resources Police and the U.S. Coast Guard held events in Ocean City Read the Rest…
Grants Provide Financial and Technical Assistance to Enhance Capabilities In Maryland, about 5,000 wildfires start each and every year, and more than 300 volunteer fire departments across the state respond to these blazes. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is now offering volunteer fire departments access to critical grant funding through its Volunteer Fire Assistance Program to help fortify and strengthen Read the Rest…
Ready or not, here comes Memorial Day Weekend! For many it is a time for family “mini-vacations” over the long weekend to favorite places, and often fishing will be involved.
Maryland Promotes Safe Fun in the Water National Healthy and Safe Swimming Week runs May 22-28, 2017, the week leading up to Memorial Day, the unofficial start of summer. The Secretaries of Maryland’s Departments of Health and Mental Hygiene, the Environment and Natural Resources encourage all Marylanders to take note of swimming safety tips to Read the Rest…
49 Recipients Get Funds for Local Cleanup and Conservation Activities The Maryland Environmental Trust has awarded 49 Keep Maryland Beautiful grants totaling over $160,000 to municipalities, nonprofits and schools for beautification projects, community cleanup activities and environmental education programs throughout the state. Nineteen counties and Baltimore City received the grants, an annual program funded by the Maryland Environmental Trust, Maryland Department Read the Rest…
Environmentally-Friendly Play Space Accessible to All One of Maryland’s oldest state parks is set to unveil a brand-new amenity, a completely reconstructed playground with up-to-date features. The new Hollofield Play Space at Patapsco Valley State Park will contain nature-based elements, such as simulated hollow logs, tree stumps, rocks and toadstools.
Community Resiliency Grant Program Allocates $200,000 The Maryland Department of Natural Resources will provide $100,000 Community Resiliency Grants to the cities of Baltimore and Hyattsville to support green infrastructure projects designed to mitigate the impact of flooding. “This grant program helps assure our inland communities are developing and implementing resiliency projects to address and prepare for Read the Rest…
Conservation partners gear up for busy summer season The Coastal Bays around Ocean City, Maryland, that are so popular with boaters and vacationers in the summer months, are also home to another kind of summer visitor – endangered species of beach-nesting birds like the Black Skimmer, Royal Tern and Common Tern. That’s why local conservation Read the Rest…
Let the sun shine and warm the landscape and waters of Maryland this week. After several days of rain, cold temperatures and a root’n toot’n northeaster, I think we’re all ready for some dryer and warmer weather. The rain does bring out the green in everything, and this is a marvelous time of the year Read the Rest…
679-Acre Easement Preserves Agricultural Land, Scenic Views, Wildlife Habitat The Maryland Environmental Trust and Eastern Shore Land Conservancy have permanently protected 679 acres of farmland and forestland along the Chesapeake Country National Scenic Byway.
The Maryland Conservation Corps Wants You! The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is now recruiting 35 full-time individuals, between the ages of 17 to 25, for the Maryland Conservation Corps, an award-winning AmeriCorps program that engages young adults in extensive conservation and natural resource management projects that enhance Maryland’s public lands and waterways. The program is Read the Rest…
Unique Opportunity to Learn or Rediscover the Sport The Maryland Department of Natural Resources invites residents to participate in the state’s three, free fishing days in 2017: June 3, June 10 and July 4. They provide a unique opportunity to fish the state’s waters without obtaining a fishing license, stamp or registration.
Tessa Cosens Hauls in 32.5-Pound Fish The Maryland Department of Natural Resources confirmed a Washington County woman has set a new muskellunge (muskie) nontidal state fishing record. Tessa Cosens, 26, caught a muskie recorded at 32.5 pounds May 6 along the banks of the upper Potomac River in Washington County. The record fish was 49 inches long Read the Rest…
As most know (or better know!) this coming Sunday is Mother’s Day. For many of us who loved to fish in our youth, it was our moms who fussed over us about dressing properly, being careful and being home on time. They worried then and they worry now, but they let their little outdoorsman be free to Read the Rest…
A trespassing complaint in Frederick County last Monday morning turned into a felony gun arrest of a Thurmont man convicted of a sex offense. John Ryan Coblentz, 27, was stopped by an officer checking a report of a trespassing hunter on land owned by NVA Properties LLC off Retreat Road in Walkersville.
Upcoming Events in Allegany, Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Queen Anne’s and Somerset Counties The Maryland Department of Natural Resources invites youth ages 8 to 16 with an interest in hunting, shooting sports and wildlife management to register for free Junior Hunter Field Days this spring. Staff along with sporting and conservation groups will use hand-on activities to teach Read the Rest…
Fisheries Index Gets an ‘A’ at 90 Percent The overall health of Chesapeake Bay improved in 2016, a positive sign that recovery efforts are working. The largest estuary in the nation scored a C grade (54 percent) in the 2016 report card, one of the highest scores calculated by scientists at the University of Maryland Read the Rest…
Tawes and Coulter Awards Recognize Outstanding Environmental Achievements The Maryland Departments of the Environment, Natural Resources and the Maryland Petroleum Council today presented the 40th annual Tawes Awards for a Clean Environment to fifth grade students from Myersville Elementary School in Frederick County and Susan Scotto Dyckman of Severna Park. Laura Armstrong, an employee of Read the Rest…
Stop the Snakehead Fishing Derby Scheduled for June 3 The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is hosting the second Annual “Stop the Snakehead Fishing Derby” June 3 at the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historic Park’s Pennyfield Lock. Interested anglers can register for the free event here. Since the 2002 discovery of snakeheads in Maryland, efforts Read the Rest…
Department Funds Projects from Aberdeen to Williamsport The Maryland Department of Natural Resources today announced the awarding of 23 Community Parks and Playgrounds Program grants – totaling $2.5 million – to municipalities across the state. From pickleball courts in Ocean City to new playground equipment in Mountain Lake Park, the program provides essential funding for the creation, enhancement Read the Rest…
Nine Men Cited for Striped Bass Violations Continued late-night enforcement at Fishing Creek Bridge in Dorchester County by the Maryland Natural Resources Police resulted in nine men being charged with illegal fishing and 154 undersized striped bass being seized.
Removing Wild Animals is Dangerous, Illegal and Unnecessary With late spring being the prime birthing time for white-tailed deer in the state, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources reminds anyone who encounters a fawn to avoid disturbing it. While young deer often appear to be orphaned, in most cases the doe is nearby protecting and feeding her offspring. Read the Rest…
When fishing, the outdoors always presents a side show that can at times surpass the main event. Last Wednesday evening, I happened to find myself out on the bay and came upon the tall sailing ship, the Coast Guard Eagle. For some it has been known that she spent the winter at the Curtis Bay Read the Rest…
Artwork to Support Conservation and Wildlife Initiatives The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced that a Delaware resident won this year’s Maryland Black Bear Conservation Stamp Design Contest, while the award for top Migratory Game Bird Stamp Design went to a Wicomico County resident. The winners were chosen by a panel of judges April 28 Read the Rest…
One-Stop Shop for Licenses and Registrations for Boating, Driving, Hunting and Fishing Now in Essex Delivering on the Hogan Administration’s promise to improve customer service across state agencies, Maryland Department of Natural Resources Secretary Mark J. Belton today joined Maryland Department of Transportation Deputy Secretary James F. Ports and Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration Administrator Christine Read the Rest…
Popular State Parks Challenge Celebrates 10th Anniversary The Maryland Department of Natural Resources today is opening registration for Park Quest, the popular family-based outdoor adventure program. Park Quest allows families to engage in outdoor activities and adventures at Maryland’s beautiful state parks and public lands throughout the summer.
Coastal Communities Can Apply for Grants by June 30 The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is now seeking proposals from local governments looking to invigorate their coastal communities and waterfront economies. Municipalities and counties in the coastal zone are eligible to apply for one-year grants of up to $60,000 through the department’s Working Waterfronts Program.
Chosen Unanimously Among Peers in 20 States The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is proud to announce that Scott Daniels has been named Forester of the Year by the Northeastern Area Association of State Foresters. Daniels, of the Maryland Forest Service, works with private landowners who strive to be good stewards of their properties and care for Read the Rest…
