Governor Commits to Full Funding of Harriet Tubman Statue on State House Grounds In honor of Harriet Tubman Day, Governor Larry Hogan today announced the grand opening of the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitor Center in Church Creek, Maryland. The governor joined nearly 500 guests for the ribbon-cutting ceremony, including descendants of Harriet Ross Tubman, Read the Rest…
Spring is Peak Season for Wildland Fire Wildfire season has begun in Maryland, and the Department of Natural Resources is urging extra precautions in light of a drought warning across parts of the state. “We’ve already battled a number of wildfires and had several high risk days,” Maryland Forest Service State Fire Supervisor Monte R. Read the Rest…
Deadline to License Waterfowl Blinds is May 31 The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced that owners of riparian, or waterfront, property can renew or apply for offshore blind and shoreline licensing by May 31, 2017. Anyone who owns or has an owners’ permission to use riparian property may license their shorelines to establish stationary blinds or blind sites for Read the Rest…
Maryland Anglers Get Ready to Rockfish The 2017 spring season for the state fish, striped bass, kicks off April 15 in Maryland’s portion of the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries. Recreational fishing opportunities for rockfish – as striped bass is known locally – will run from 5 a.m. April 15 through midnight May 15, with Read the Rest…
Mountain Maryland Tradition Sweetens Next Two Weekends Cunningham Falls State Park will host its 47th Annual Maple Syrup Making Demonstrations March 11-12 and 18-19 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Park rangers and volunteers will demonstrate the traditional way to craft maple syrup. Visitors are invited to enjoy a hot breakfast, join in children’s activities, and Read the Rest…
Communities, Nonprofits and Others Can Apply by March 31 The Maryland Environmental Trust with funding from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development has added a new Clean Up & Green Up Maryland Grant to the suite of grant awards now available through its “Keep Maryland Beautiful” program. Applications will be accepted between now and March Read the Rest…
14th Annual Photo Contest Runs Now Through Aug. 31 The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is accepting entries for its annual photo contest now through Aug. 31, 2017. Photographers – from novice to professional – can enter online or by mail for the chance to win cash and other prizes. Winning entries will be posted online and featured in an Read the Rest…
Grand Opening Events March 11 and 12 The public is invited to the grand opening of the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitor Center March 11 and 12. The National Park Service and the Maryland Park Service have teamed up to provide special family-friendly Grand Opening events and activities at the site and a first look Read the Rest…
Cases Localized to Existing Management Area in Western Maryland The Maryland Department of Natural Resources recently received laboratory confirmation that six white-tailed deer sampled in Allegany County tested positive for chronic wasting disease. All of the cases were found within the existing Chronic Wasting Disease Management Area.
Lt. Governor Rutherford Presents Award, Celebrates Life of Captain Eldridge Meredith Governor Larry Hogan has commissioned Kent Island resident Captain Eldridge Meredith as the 101st Admiral of Chesapeake Bay, a prestigious lifetime achievement award for an individual’s extraordinary commitment to the conservation and restoration of the Chesapeake Bay. Lt. Governor Boyd Rutherford presented the award on Read the Rest…
Program Allows ‘Visitors to Travel Back in Time’ Visitors to Fort Frederick State Park can get firsthand experience of life at the fort during the French and Indian War as members of the recreated Captain Joshua Beall’s Company of the Maryland Forces garrison the fort. Living historians will demonstrate life of the Maryland Provincials at Fort Frederick from Read the Rest…
Sentenced Under Maryland’s New Anti-Poaching Law A Kent County man convicted Tuesday of illegally killing a potential state record white-tailed deer was ordered to pay a fine, make restitution to the state and perform community service. Ronald Wayne Roe, 28, of Worton, was found guilty on all counts of trespassing and poaching stemming from the shooting of Read the Rest…
Dye Tests May Cause Harmless and Temporary Discoloration The Maryland Department of Natural Resources will conduct localized dye-tracing tests in the area around the Albert M. Powell State Fish Hatchery in Washington County. The tests are scheduled to begin Feb. 27, dependent on weather conditions.
Public Comment Accepted Through March 8 The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is accepting public comment on proposed 2017-2018 Migratory Game Bird Hunting Seasons. The seasons will be finalized in early spring after the department reviews public input and obtains approval from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The public comment period will close at noon March 8.
Community Service and Restitution Mandated; Forfeiture of Rifle and Trophy; Hunting Privileges Revoked Two men became the first sentenced under a new state anti-poaching law after they were found guilty of multiple charges Wednesday in Dorchester County District Court. Andrew Collison Harding, 21, of Vienna, and Toby Allen Hughes, 21, of Seaford, Delaware, were convicted of casting Read the Rest…
Frederick County Leads State in Harvest Totals Maryland hunters harvested 85,193 deer during the combined archery, muzzleloader and firearm seasons (Sept. 9, 2016-Jan. 31, 2017), according to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. The harvest exceeded the 2015-2016 total by more than 1,000 deer. Included in the statewide total were 7,684 deer taken on Sundays open Read the Rest…
February tends to be a tough month for playing outdoors. Most hunting seasons are closed, and it is a little bit early for comfortable fishing. Fortunately, the trout production program and the many fisheries biologists that stock the trout have given fishermen a chance to enjoy good trout fishing in the put and take trout Read the Rest…
Maryland Natural Resources Police officers made three fisheries cases, charged a deer poacher and cited a man for dumping and burning rubbish on state land in recent enforcement action. Three Somerset County men were charged Sunday with multiple counts of illegal harvesting from state waters and falsifying records to hide their activity.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources today announced the appointment of Allan Fisher as assistant secretary for mission support. In this position, Fisher will oversee the department’s budget, human resources and licensing units among others. “Allan is a highly accomplished executive who has led high-level organizations to achieve real and sustainable results,” said Secretary Mark Read the Rest…
Compilation Based on Feedback from Conservationists and Watermen The Oyster Advisory Commission received a draft proposal for revising the state’s current oyster management areas. The proposal was based on deliberations at past commission meetings and includes stakeholder comments and recommendations from the commercial seafood industry, conservationists, environmentalists and watermen. The draft comes after the Maryland Department Read the Rest…
Proposal to Relocate Some Roads and Campsites; Enhance Accessibility; Fortify Natural Dune Landscape Maryland’s only oceanfront state park will be doing some remodeling. Assateague State Park in Worcester County has proposed a Campground Improvement Project, which will impact some camp loops and sites. The project, set to begin in the fall or winter of 2017, will Read the Rest…
Homeowners in Select Counties Can Get Free Seedlings The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is offering its Backyard Buffer program in select counties around the state. Any resident with a drainage ditch, stream, creek or river flowing through their property or adjacent to a waterway could qualify for a free “Buffer in a Bag.” Each bag contains approximately Read the Rest…
Partnerships Prove to be Catalyst for Chesapeake Bay Restoration The Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund released its annual report, which details the program’s activities in the state, including the restoration of 653 acres of wetland, 207,900 linear feet of stream, and 1,165 acres of streamside tree buffers. The Trust Fund, which is administered by the Read the Rest…
Annual Survey Estimates Number of Dabblers, Divers, Ducks & Waterfowl Each winter, aerial survey teams of pilots and biologists from Maryland Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service make visual estimates of the ducks, geese and swans along the state’s Chesapeake Bay shoreline and Atlantic coast. This year, the teams counted about 812,600 waterfowl, higher Read the Rest…
Tawes Award Winner’s Favorite Nonprofit Group to Receive $300 Donation in their Name; Nomination Deadline is April 11 Nominations are now being accepted for the 2017 Tawes Award for a Clean Environment and for the James B. Coulter Government Employee Award. The Tawes Award recognizes individuals, civic, community and nonprofit groups that have demonstrated outstanding Read the Rest…
Anyone up to 16 Years Old Can Participate Young Marylanders can hone their hunting skills with the help of an experienced adult Feb. 11 during the second of two Youth Waterfowl Hunt Days scheduled for the 2016-2017 hunting season. Anyone 16 years of age or younger can hunt ducks, geese, mergansers and coots on public Read the Rest…
West Virginia Man Pleads Guilty to Deer Poaching Maryland Natural Resources Police officers made four deer poaching cases and gained a conviction in recent enforcement action. Using social media, officers tracked down a convicted Carroll County deer poacher and charged him with eight new violations Friday. Tyler James Murphy, 21, of Union Bridge, posted pictures Read the Rest…
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is pleased to report that members of its Wildlife and Heritage Service successfully rescued a juvenile male deer Sunday night after it was trapped for more than a week with a plastic snack container over its head. The animal, nicknamed “Jughead,” was found and later freed in Harford County.
Over 300,000 Fish Stocked Between January and June The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has begun stocking about 338,000 brown, golden and rainbow trout throughout the state ahead of the 2017 fishing season. “The trout stocking program raises several hundred thousand trout at our hatcheries, which are stocked for anglers of all ages and skill levels,” said Read the Rest…
The driver of a pontoon boat involved in a fatal accident in Ocean City last summer has been charged with negligent operation. A criminal summons was issued Friday for Dustin Daniel Healey, 26, of Freehold, New Jersey, after a Worcester County District Court Commissioner found probable cause for the charge.
Hunters reported taking 109 wild turkeys during Maryland’s third annual winter turkey hunting season, which was open statewide Jan. 19-21. The harvest was significantly higher than the 61 birds taken last winter, which was hampered by severe weather, and slightly higher than the inaugural 2015 season.
Budget Fully Funds Chesapeake Bay Restoration and Land Conservation Programs, Establishes New Grant Program to Help Communities Adapt to Climate Change and Sea Level Rise The Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund will receive $51.3 million in Fiscal Year 2018, marking only the second time in state history that bay restoration efforts will be fully Read the Rest…
Expanded Guide Provides Year-Round Information The Maryland Department of Natural Resources will release its comprehensive 2017-18 Maryland Fishing & Crabbing Guide Feb. 15. The guide is the go-to reference for all questions on recreational fishing and crabbing in the state, providing a summary of seasons, license information, size and creel limits, and more.
Informational Open House Scheduled February 15 The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is pleased to announce that Fair Hill Natural Resource Management Area in Cecil County has been identified as a possible venue to host a world-class equestrian event. The United States Equestrian Federation announced January 18 that Fair Hill and one other facility in the Read the Rest…
Active and New Volunteers Welcomed Jan. 27 The Maryland Park Service will host a volunteer recognition event the evening of Jan. 27 at Martinak State Park in Denton. The event starts at 6:30 p.m. with a dinner at the Nature Center and will conclude with an awards presentation for all active volunteers.
A fatal boating accident investigation, a hunter interference case and illegal oystering topped the list of incidents handled recently by the Maryland Natural Resources Police. An Ocean City man has been charged with multiple boating violations in connection with an accident that lead to the death of a 9-year-old boy.
150-Acre Easement Includes Waterfront A Somerset County couple recently donated a conservation easement that permanently protects more than 150 acres, including a mile of waterfront property along the Big Annemessex River.
Maryland Environmental Trust Fund to Help Spur Interest in Land Conservation A memorial fund has been established to honor the late John E. Hutson, who passed away last year after a six-year battle with cancer. Hutson served 23 years with the Maryland Environmental Trust, where he was responsible for negotiating, drafting and processing easements that conserved 43,500 acres Read the Rest…
Private-Public Partnership Focuses on Conservation and Economics The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is working to establish an economically-productive and sustainable oyster harvesting cooperative in Anne Arundel County. With funding from the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the comprehensive private-public partnership will enhance the long-term business and economic Read the Rest…
Vendor Hiring Workers in Maryland; Consumers Save Money The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has contracted with a new vendor to manage reservations for the state park system. CAMIS, a company with 17 years of experience providing reservation solutions, is scheduled to start providing services in Maryland this spring. Approved by the Board of Public Works Read the Rest…
Turkeys Can be Harvested Statewide Jan. 19-21 Maryland’s winter turkey hunting season will be open Jan. 19-21 statewide, allowing hunters that didn’t bag a turkey in the fall another opportunity. The season was established in 2015 to provide hunters an opportunity to harvest turkeys outside the traditional spring season.
The J. Millard Tawes is One of Four Icebreakers on Call The Maryland Department of Natural Resources this week dispatched its vessel, the J. Millard Tawes, to break ice on the water route to Smith Island, opening the vital link between the island and nearby Crisfield Harbor.
Illegal oyster harvesting and deer poaching topped the list of cases handled recently by Maryland Natural Resources Police officers. A St. Mary’s County man was charged Friday with multiple violations of regulations after he was seen harvesting oysters inside a sanctuary.
Easement Protects Open Space and Waterfowl Habitat on the Lower Eastern Shore A new conservation easement of more than 200 acres will permanently protect important farmland and wildlife habitat in Oriole. Property owner Kevin Barr donated the tract to the Maryland Environmental Trust to safeguard its scenic open space and wetlands.
Public Comment Accepted Until March 31 The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is proud to announce that a unique archaeological, cultural and historical site in Charles County is another step closer to being named a National Marine Sanctuary. The public review process officially began today with the publishing of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement and Read the Rest…
Deer poaching topped the docket of cases handled this week by the Maryland Natural Resources Police. Acting on tips, officers charged a Pennsylvania man Thursday with 10 counts of deer poaching in Frederick County.
2,000 People Participate in First Day Hikes With mild temperatures and sunny skies throughout much of the state, the Maryland Park Service welcomed over 2,000 hikers for First Day Hikes 2017. Staff and volunteers hosted 33 guided hikes at 21 state parks on New Year’s Day. From beachside marshes to rocky cliffs, each park offered its Read the Rest…
Permanent Easement Protects 97 Acres of Agricultural and Forested Lands The Maryland Environmental Trust has helped a longtime landowner permanently conserve a 97-acre farm near Parkton in Baltimore County. Property owner Susan Glick recently gifted a conservation easement covering the tract, which was originally purchased in 1976 along with her late husband and another couple.
Deer poaching and drug possession cases highlight recent enforcement actions taken by the Maryland Natural Resources Police. Two Frederick men were charged with killing three deer on the campus of Montgomery College on New Year’s Eve.
