Music, Games, and Learning Honor a Maryland Legend The Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State Park and Visitor Center invites everyone to participate in free, family-friendly programs March 7 to celebrate Harriet Tubman Day. This national observance has special significance in Maryland where the famed abolitionist and suffragette was born and raised; leading dozens to freedom Read the Rest…
Due to ongoing efforts by the state of Maryland to contain the effects of the COVID-19 virus, both weekends of the annual Maple Syrup Festival at Cunningham Falls State Park have been cancelled. Annual Event Takes Place March 14-15 and March 21-22 The public is invited to celebrate the 50th annual Maple Syrup Festival at Read the Rest…
Carroll County Youth Awarded Grand Prize The judging is complete for the annual fifth-grade Arbor Day poster contest sponsored by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Three schools in Maryland that are home to the top winners will benefit with tree plantings this spring. The poster contest is judged annually by a panel of forestry Read the Rest…
‘Backyard Buffers’ Available to Riparian Homeowners The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is offering free tree seedlings to help improve water quality in targeted Eastern Shore communities. Landowners in Kent and Queen Anne’s counties who have a creek, drainage ditch, stream, or other waterway on or near their property are eligible for free tree seedlings Read the Rest…
Program Rounds Up Next Generation of Anglers More than 4,000 children and young adults will have the opportunity to catch their first taste of fishing thanks to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and partner organizations throughout the state. From early spring to fall, the state will host 41 youth fishing rodeos in 14 counties.
Final Harvest Numbers Higher than the Previous Season The Maryland Department of Natural Resources reported that deer hunters harvested 79,457 deer during the combined archery, firearms, and muzzleloader seasons, from Sept. 6, 2019 through Jan. 31, 2020. The statewide harvest included 29,233 antlered and 46,777 antlerless white-tailed deer, plus 1,552 antlered and 1,895 antlerless sika Read the Rest…
Reused Materials Restore Spawning and Feeding Areas Crews from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources this winter helped expand fish habitat in Cunningham Falls State Park’s Hunting Creek Lake. Staff joined with the Maryland Conservation Corps to help construct the artificial habitat using upcycling debris and recycled materials found around the park, including PVC tubing, Read the Rest…
Maryland Spring Trophy Season Begins May 1 The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced new striped bass conservation measures for the Spring 2020 fishing season to meet a coast-wide conservation target. The 2018 benchmark stock assessment for striped bass indicated declines, so the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) has determined that conservation measures are Read the Rest…
Facilities in Rock Hall Meet Award Standards Two marinas in Rock Hall recently passed inspection by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to earn the Maryland Clean Marina Award. Gratitude Marina and Osprey Point Marina met the award criteria, bringing the total number of Clean Marinas and Clean Marina Partners to 151 — about a Read the Rest…
Black History Month Offers Lessons From Maryland’s Past In my home county, we are very proud of the legacy that Talbot County native Frederick Douglass left for our region, our state, and our nation. We are equally proud of the fact that we are the home of “The Hill,” which dates to 1790 and is Read the Rest…
Annual Survey Estimates Number of Wintering Duck, Geese, and Swans In early January, aerial survey teams of pilots and biologists from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources made visual estimates of the ducks, geese, and swans along most of the state’s Chesapeake Bay, Potomac River, and Atlantic coast shorelines. This year, the teams counted about Read the Rest…
K-9 Ruckus Helps Track Down Clues Following an investigation of illegal hunting and baiting in Patapsco Valley State Park, Maryland Natural Resources Police charged a Glen Burnie man with 17 infractions, including several weapons-related violations. On Nov. 25, officers responded to a report of deer stands and bait within the park. With the help of Read the Rest…
Input on 2021 Plans Accepted Through Feb. 28 The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is seeking public comment on the proposed fiscal year 2021 work plans for the following state forests: Chesapeake/Pocomoke, Green Ridge, Potomac-Garrett, and Savage River. The comment period concludes Feb. 28. Annual work plans help the department identify priorities within the scope Read the Rest…
Brief Interruption to Service While Work is Done The Maryland Park Service is upgrading its online reservation system with new features that will make it easier for customers and park staff to use. The new version of the online reservation system will be available to customers Feb. 13. The online reservation system will be unavailable Read the Rest…
Native Trees and Shrubs Available for Public Spaces The Maryland Department of Natural Resources aims to expand tree cover on public lands across the state, offering affordable and attractive trees for planting on community lands and open space through its Tree-Mendous Maryland program. Offerings through Tree-Mendous are high-quality, native shrubs and trees, which are grown Read the Rest…
Maryland Hunters Bagged Birds in 22 Counties Hunters reported taking 82 wild turkeys during Maryland’s 2020 winter turkey season, which was open statewide Jan. 23-25. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources reports turkeys were harvested in 22 of the state’s 23 counties, with St. Mary’s and Garrett counties reporting the highest numbers. The harvest was Read the Rest…
Great Opportunity to Mentor Young Hunters The Maryland Department of Natural Resources reminds hunters of all ages that Feb. 8 is a Youth Waterfowl Hunt Day. This is a great chance for qualified mentors to take a young or aspiring waterfowler into the field to teach hunting skills, reinforce the safety lessons of hunter education classes, Read the Rest…
Even though it’s winter, periodic warm spells and days when there is little wind and plenty of sunshine afford fishermen a chance to wet a line. The pre-season trout stocking program is well underway and trout management waters are being stocked every week. January through March is the time of the year when many attend Read the Rest…
State Developing Leaders to Address Climate Challenges The Hogan administration today recognized 40 professionals as Maryland’s first class of Climate Change Professionals, an international credential administered by the Association of Climate Change Officers, during the meeting of the Board of Public Works. These professionals earned their certifications by participating in six days of training provided Read the Rest…
Property Adjacent to Rosaryville State Park will Expand Recreation The Board of Public Works today approved the Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ acquisition of nearly 200 acres in Prince George’s County. The property is adjacent to Rosaryville State Park and its acquisition will expand the park’s offerings including equestrian opportunities and an expanded trail network. Read the Rest…
Input Taken Beginning Feb. 3; Public Meetings Scheduled The Maryland Department of Natural Resources in February will accept public comment on proposed changes to the 2020-2022 hunting and trapping seasons. Included in the proposals are concepts related to the 2020-2021 Migratory Game Bird Seasons. Through the past several months, the department has presented a variety of Read the Rest…
Annual Weeklong Program Offered for Grades 9-12 The Maryland Department of Natural Resources invites high school students with an interest in forestry, fisheries, wildlife, or parks management to participate in a Natural Resources Careers Camp, July 19-25 at the Hickory Environmental Education Center in Garrett County. A partnership with Allegany College of Maryland and the Read the Rest…
Effort To Document Remaining Original Markers The Maryland Geological Survey, a unit of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, will lead professional surveying societies of Maryland and Pennsylvania in a new survey of monuments along the Mason-Dixon Line. This will be the first complete survey in 40 years of the line, which was marked in Read the Rest…
Weekends in February Offer Inspiring Programs In celebration of Black History Month, Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State Park and Visitor Center invites everyone to free, family-friendly programs every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in February. The park, located near Harriet Tubman’s birthplace in Dorchester County, is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and houses Read the Rest…
State, Partners Working on New Market Strategies The Maryland Department of Natural Resources, the Maryland Department of Commerce, and other state agencies are working with partners across the state to direct grants, programs, and strategies for building new markets for Maryland’s forest products industry. Overall market decline and sudden losses such as the closure of Read the Rest…
Anne Arundel County Classes Start in February The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announces open enrollment for Maryland Climate Leadership Academy courses in Annapolis, which will be starting in February. Registration is open until Jan. 31, but classes are capped at 75 participants. The free class will be taught in three segments: Feb. 20-21; March Read the Rest…
Gathering Low-Cost Wood Helps Remove Hazards from Public Lands The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is offering firewood cutting permits at Cunningham Falls and Gambrill state parks in Frederick County, providing a great opportunity for the public to pick up some easily accessible firewood. The $20 permit allows citizens to remove downed trees from the Read the Rest…
2020 is the Year of the Woman As we begin a New Year, it is a good time to sit back and reflect on the successes we had in 2019. While there are too many to name in one article, a few rise to the top, including the designation of Mallows Bay as a National Read the Rest…
Another Chance to Bag a Hen or Gobbler The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announces the opening of the winter turkey season, which runs statewide from January 23-25 for hunters who did not harvest a turkey during the 2019 fall season. Hunting hours are from one half-hour before sunrise to one half-hour after sunset. The bag limit is one Read the Rest…
Funding Will Protect 4,500 Acres Statewide The Board of Public Works today unanimously approved recommendations of more than $18.8 million in Rural Legacy Program grants for conservation easements in 18 counties. Funding from these grants will permanently protect more than 4,500 acres of working farms, forests, open space, shorelines, and wetlands — plus cultural and Read the Rest…
Clean Marina Program Explained in February Meetings Owners and managers of marinas, boatyards, and yacht clubs are invited to attend a free seminar to learn about becoming certified Maryland Clean Marinas. The program will provide details on commonly needed permits and plans, and an informative session on the impacts of plastic marine debris on Maryland’s Read the Rest…
First-time Entry for Species in Maryland’s Atlantic Division The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has officially recognized Jeff Rosenkilde of Monkton as holding the first official state fishing record for big-scale pomfret. Rosenkilde caught the 22.1-pound fish Dec. 28 in the Atlantic Ocean canyons off the coast of the Delmarva peninsula. Rosenkilde and four friends Read the Rest…
First Day Hikes Kick Off 2020 About 5,000 hikers took advantage of sunny and mild weather New Year’s Day, joining the Maryland Department of Natural Resources in the state’s annual First Day Hikes initiative. Hikers logged more than 10,000 miles on trails in parks and public lands all across Maryland. Park rangers, staff, and volunteers Read the Rest…
Hunters in Most Counties Have Another Opportunity The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced the winter portion of the firearm deer hunting season opens Jan. 10, 2020, in Deer Management Region B, which includes all of the state except the westernmost counties. Hunters with a valid hunting license may use firearms to harvest sika and Read the Rest…
Often heard and not seen, the lovely Cedar Waxwing can be found year-round throughout Maryland. Cedar Waxwings sport a pale brown, crested head with a sleek black mask that runs from their bill and around their eyes. The mask has white outlines which help accentuate it. Waxwings have a brown chest that fades into a Read the Rest…
If you have seen the recent news, you may have heard that the number of birds in the United States and Canada has declined by three billion, or almost 29%, over the last 50 years. Unfortunately, Maryland is not exempt from this decline. With changes in habitat and climate over the years, it is crucial Read the Rest…
Inkberry (Ilex glabra) is one of our native, compact shrubs in the holly family (Aquifoliaceae) that keeps its leaves year-round. It is a relatively slow growing species that maxes out at heights of 5- 8 feet tall. It sometimes will form clumps with numerous sprouts, making it a great plant to use as a low Read the Rest…
Woody plants are essential for wildlife. In the winter, evergreen plants can provide much-needed shelter and food for local animals. Consider adding one or more of these native plants to your backyard landscape to provide for local wildlife.
Did you know? Maryland is home to eight species of owls, several of which are year-round residents while others visit during migration. The smallest resident owl in Maryland is the Eastern Screech-owl, which is often under 10 inches in length. Eastern Screech-owls are formidable hunters and are adapted to survive in both suburban and rural Read the Rest…
