Cheers On Students’ Efforts to Become Stewards of Maryland’s Environment Governor Larry Hogan today attended the 9th Annual Maryland Green Schools Youth Summit, held at Sandy Point State Park in Annapolis, where he greeted more than 2,750 students and educators from across the state. The governor congratulated the students and schools on achieving the Maryland Green Schools Award from Maryland Association for Environmental Read the Rest…
Funds Provide Financial and Technical Assistance to Enhance Capabilities In Maryland, about 5,000 wildfires are reported each year, and more than 300 volunteer fire departments across the state respond to these blazes, which, on average, burn less than 10 acres. To assist local fire departments, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources is once again offering critical grant Read the Rest…
Memorial Day weekend is now behind us – an important pause to remember and reflect on those who gave their lives for the freedoms and rights that we all enjoy. It also means the “summer” season has begun. The fishing rodeo season is in full swing. For those not initiated, these are free youth fishing Read the Rest…
Invasive Fish Tipped Scales at 19.9 Pounds It was a long, memorable Memorial Day weekend for 41-year-old Andrew “Andy” Fox of Mechanicsville. Fox, along with two of his closest friends headed to Indian Head, Mattawoman Creek, in Charles County for a little overnight bowfishing for northern snakehead. The trio was out on the water for Read the Rest…
Eyes on Deep Creek Lake Provides Current and Historic Data The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has released a new online resource to help residents and visitors of Deep Creek Lake stay up to date on water quality data and information. Eyes on Deep Creek Lake is a new interactive feature on the department’s Eyes on the Bay page, Read the Rest…
Five Counties Report Record Harvests The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced today that hunters reported harvesting 3,861 wild turkeys during the 2018 regular spring and junior hunt turkey seasons. This year’s harvest was 8 percent lower than the record 2017 harvest, but well above the 10-year average of 3,406. “Turkey populations continue to grow in a Read the Rest…
18 Participants Complete Program for Green Careers The Maryland Department of Natural Resources, in partnership with the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, this week presented certificates to graduates of a new workforce development, skills and training program, Work2Live WELL. Participants engaged in eight weeks of professional and personal development designed to provide access to the Read the Rest…
Living History Program Featured June 9 and 10 The Maryland Department of Natural Resources welcomes the public to Point Lookout State Park in St. Mary’s County as they look back on the War Between the States and the historic sites within the park that were impacted in the conflicted that divided North and South. The annual Read the Rest…
Help Sought in Effort to Bring Monarch Butterflies The public is invited to help Fort Frederick State Park and the Monarch Alliance place 500 plants in the park’s new pollinator habitat June 2. Registration starts at 8:30 a.m, with planting beginning at 9 a.m. “The 500 native plants provided by the alliance will allow the park Read the Rest…
Budding Outdoor Enthusiasts Can Get Expert Guidance The Maryland Department of Natural Resources invites young Marylanders with an interest in fishing, hunting, shooting sports or wildlife management to Junior Hunter Field Day events June 2 in Anne Arundel, Baltimore and Queen Anne’s counties. The free events are designed for those aged 8 to 16. Certified hunter safety instructors Read the Rest…
Many of us found ourselves fishing in the rain last week. I was with a friend on the lower Choptank River last week enjoying some striped bass topwater action — the fishing was fun and the overcast weather showed us one of nature’s many moods to be enjoyed. Often less-than-perfect weather gives us a unique Read the Rest…
Projects Funded Statewide for Better Boating Access, Navigation and Safety The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is providing $12.5 million in Waterway Improvement Fund grants to enhance and improve public boating access, facilities and navigation throughout the state. This critical Fiscal Year 2019 funding will go toward 57 projects in 18 counties, from Garrett to Wicomico counties as well Read the Rest…
Lovable Maryland Reptiles Belong in their Natural Habitat It’s that time of year when turtles may be seen more frequently. Irresistible as turtles may be, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources urges people to resist the temptation and to leave these reptiles in the wild. Helpful Marylanders do sometimes move turtles off roads to protect them Read the Rest…
Special Events Include Children’s Fishing, Geology Program and Night Hike The Maryland Department of Natural Resources welcomes the public to enjoy Memorial Day weekend at Fort Frederick State Park May 26-28 during their Summer Discovery Weekend program. Activities will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Saturday night will feature a unique nocturnal hike starting at Read the Rest…
Effort to Support Communities in Sustainability Planning Maryland is launching the nation’s first state-sponsored Climate Leadership Academy to help local governments, critical infrastructure organizations and state agencies effectively plan, prepare and implement climate change initiatives. At a launch event on the first day of Maryland’s inaugural State of the Coast conference, senior state and local officials Read the Rest…
Now Accepting Grant Applications for Next Year The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced the awarding of 26 Community Parks and Playgrounds Program grants – totaling $2.5 million – to local municipalities across Maryland. From new playground equipment in Bowie and softball field lights in Delmar to tennis court repairs in Friendsville and new basketball courts in Vienna, Read the Rest…
Maryland’s Departments of Health, the Environment, and Natural Resources Raise Awareness for National Healthy and Safe Swimming Week National Healthy and Safe Swimming Week runs May 21-27, the week leading up to Memorial Day, the unofficial start of summer. The Secretaries of Maryland’s Departments of Health, the Environment, and Natural Resources encourage all Marylanders to take note Read the Rest…
Rates Conservation Benefits and Values Across Maryland The Maryland Department of Natural Resources launched an innovative new tool to evaluate the conservation benefits and ecosystem “value” of every parcel of land across the state. The Parcel Evaluation Tool was designed to identify and prioritize the conservation and protection of ecologically important, sensitive, and valuable land and watershed resources in Read the Rest…
Most anglers know we had been going through a bit of a dry spell for several weeks, but, oh boy, did that come to an end. The heavy rains and stormy conditions moving through the state the past few days are expected to last through the weekend. But the sun will shine again and it Read the Rest…
Design Work to Begin as Facility Prepares to Host International Equestrian Competition The Board of Public Works unanimously approved a Maryland Department of Natural Resources item that will authorize $1 million for design improvement services at Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area in anticipation of the Cecil County site hosting a newly-designated, international equestrian event. Read the Rest…
People Can Help Protect Species on Ancient Spawning Run In the coming weeks, visitors to Maryland’s coastal bays and beaches can experience one of the world’s oldest migrations – horseshoe crabs emerging to spawn, as they’ve done here for the last 350 million years. Massive numbers of these “living fossils” will come out of the depths Read the Rest…
Enhanced Conservation Rules on Use of Bait and Hooks; Minimum Size Reduced to 19 Inches The opening of regular striped bass season May 16 coincides with new conservation-minded regulations pertaining to the use of bait, gear and hooks. The Maryland General Assembly Joint Committee Administrative, Executive and Legislative Review Committee recently approved Maryland Department of Natural Resources regulations, which will Read the Rest…
Police Handle Oyster and Striped Bass Violations A Washington County man known on social media as “VenomMan20” was found guilty Tuesday on two counts of illegal possession of venomous snakes. Brandon Joseph Boyles, 29, of Cascade, was prohibited from owning “dangerous animals” in Maryland and was required to perform 20 hours of community service by Read the Rest…
Statewide Opportunity to Give Angling a Try The Maryland Department of Natural Resources invites new or experienced anglers to enjoy Maryland’s License Free Fishing Days June 2, 9 and July 4. This is a unique opportunity for Marylanders to test their fishing skills without the need to obtain a fishing license, trout stamp or registration.
Those who fish know that the waters they love have many moods, and perhaps one of our favorites is when they are quiet and calm. This past weekend with overcast skies and little wind was one of those times that the waters we fish seem to talk to us – from the bubbling mountain streams, Read the Rest…
Historic Reenactments May 12-13 Living historians will occupy and re-enact daily life at the centuries-old fort on the grounds of Fort Frederick State Park May 12-13 and the public is invited to attend. Activities will take place 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 12, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 13. Volunteer re-enactors will demonstrate how Read the Rest…
Despite a Cold Winter, More Young Crabs are in the Bay The Maryland Department of Natural Resources today released the results of the 2018 Blue Crab Winter Dredge Survey, which shows that the population of blue crabs remains healthy and sustainable. While this year’s cold weather and ice cover took a toll on the adult Read the Rest…
Nearly 700 Trees Planted at Merkle Wildlife Sanctuary The Maryland Park Service recently completed an important environmental restoration project, planting hundreds of native trees at Merkle Wildlife Sanctuary in Prince George’s County. It is the only wildlife sanctuary managed by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Last week, members of the Maryland Conservation Corps and Read the Rest…
Removing Wild Animals is Unnecessary, Dangerous and Illegal Late spring is the prime birthing time for white-tailed deer and 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 feeding and will return to Read the Rest…
“Great Outdoors Maryland” 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 12 To recognize the 150th anniversary of the Maryland Natural Resources Police, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources invites the public to a free open house 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 12, at Sandy Point State Park. The celebratory event, “Great Outdoors Maryland,” will Read the Rest…
Innovative Partnership Enhances Communications and Customer Service The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced today that it is expanding its communications channels and services to include Amazon Echo. Through an innovative partnership with NIC Maryland, the department will now offer the Maryland Fishing Report, which provides anglers with the latest fishing hotspots, catch of the Read the Rest…
Guided Ride May 5 All are invited to a free guided bike tour along the Western Maryland Rail Trail beginning at 10 a.m. May 5. The 20-mile round trip will begin at at the C&O Bicycle Shop, located at 9 South Pennsylvania Ave. in Hancock. Fort Frederick State Park naturalist Ellen Kinzer will lead the group at a Read the Rest…
Registration Open to Budding Outdoor Enthusiasts The Maryland Department of Natural Resources invites young Marylanders with an interest in fishing, hunting, shooting sports or wildlife management to a free Junior Hunter Field Day at the Western Maryland 4-H Center in Garrett County May 19. The event is designed for youth aged 8 to 16. Participants will have Read the Rest…
Centralized Location Becomes “One-Stop Shop” for Services Cumberland residents and those living in the surrounding area now have one central location to complete their Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration and Maryland Department of Natural Resources transactions. As part of Governor Hogan’s Customer Service Promise to make services more accessible to Marylanders, the Department of Read the Rest…
Warmer and more seasonable weather has finally descended upon the Maryland landscape, offering a wonderful time to enjoy the outdoors. The warm air temperatures and sunny weather, along with relatively cool water temperatures make for perfect fishing conditions in many local waters. Community ponds, trout management waters and lakes offer fun shoreline fishing adventures that Read the Rest…
Registration for Popular Annual Program Now Open; 1,000 Slots Available The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has opened registration for Park Quest, the beloved family-based outdoor adventure program in state parks throughout Maryland. Park Quest aims to engage families in outdoor activities throughout the summer and fall by encouraging them to experience Maryland’s vast cultural, historical and natural resources Read the Rest…
BAM! Have you ever had a bird hit one of your windows? Nearly a billion birds collide with windows each year, half of which happen with home windows. Unfortunately, the majority of birds die as a result of their injuries; even those that may be able to fly away often sustain life-threatening injuries. The good Read the Rest…
It’s a bee! No, it’s a fly! Have you ever seen a fly masquerading as a bee in the garden? If so, then you may have encountered a flower or syrphid fly. More than 130 species of flower flies are found in Maryland, and these animals serve both as important pollinators as well as predators Read the Rest…
Are you in need of a good, native groundcover? Moss phlox (Phlox subulata) is a creeping groundcover in the Phlox family (Polemoniaceae). This herbaceous perennial grows up to 9 inches tall and forms mats across the ground. It prefers full sun, but it can grow in sandy or rocky soil just as well as loamy Read the Rest…
In sections of Maryland, high concentrations of white-tailed deer have created a demand for “deer proof” plants. In reality, though, there is no such thing. Deer may nibble on anything once, especially when hungry, but they do dislike aromatics, prickly leaves and thorns. Unfortunately, many of the “deer proof” plants offered at stores include invasive Read the Rest…
Commission Hits the Ground Running Recently the Maryland Outdoor Recreation Economic Commission held its first meeting – and we’re ready to hit the road. Created by Governor Larry Hogan last fall, this commission will develop innovative strategies to market Maryland’s unique outdoor and heritage recreation brand, as well as recommend initiatives to attract and retain outdoor Read the Rest…
