Since 2021, Maryland’s 5 Million Trees program partners and supporters have planted more than 1.5 million native trees across the state. While significant, 3.5 million more trees must be planted to reach the state’s ambitious goal of planting 5 million trees by 2031. Marylanders can play a direct role in closing that gap. Marylanders can Read the Rest…
Maryland regulations for 2026 recreational striped bass fishing will take effect April 1, implementing a shift in the season from the past two years. This shift returns catch-and-release fishing in April for the first time in Maryland since 2019. The summer hot-weather closure now takes place during the entire month of August. These adjustments are Read the Rest…
Maryland’s statewide spring wild turkey season opens this month, beginning with the Junior Turkey Hunt on April 11. The regular spring turkey season opens for all hunters on April 18 and runs through May 23. The Maryland DNR Summer Wild Turkey Observation Survey documented above-average reproductive success during the summer of 2024 in most regions. As a result, hunters Read the Rest…
Spring has officially arrived and anglers are looking forward to the traditional opening day of trout season. The central and western regions hold the greatest numbers of trout management areas listed as “closure 1” that were recently stocked and are open to fishing at 6:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 28. Good luck to all and Read the Rest…
DNR accepting local applications for federal program; webinar for applicants scheduled April 9 The Maryland Department of the Natural Resources (DNR) is now accepting preliminary applications for the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund grant program. This funding opportunity allows local governments with eligible projects to apply for grants ranging from $50,000 to $3 million. Read the Rest…
The graduating class is NRP’s first since November 2023 The Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) celebrated the graduation of eight new officers from the agency’s 67th Basic Recruit Class and formally welcomed eight additional members of the 66th lateral recruiting class who transferred from other law enforcement agencies. Maryland Natural Resources Police Superintendent Colonel Orlando Read the Rest…
The green-brown waters of the Chesapeake Bay can appear mysterious, but the Maryland Department of Natural Resources regularly conducts surveys to reveal life below the surface. During Maryland Science Week in fall 2025, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) gathered with Huntingtown High School’s AP environmental science class and staff from Smithsonian Environmental Research Read the Rest…
The Department of Natural Resources plans to conduct a series of controlled burns on Dan’s Mountain Wildlife Management Area in late March. The burns will be conducted as early as March 26 as weather and other conditions allow. The fires will create smoke in the area southwest of Rawlings; residents and visitors should be advised Read the Rest…
Maryland Environmental Trust has approved 21 grants totaling $205,134 to be awarded for community cleanup, environmental stewardship, and tree planting projects through the Keep Maryland Beautiful program. The 2026 program marks 40 consecutive years of grantmaking to support environmental projects that conserve and care for Maryland’s natural resources. Grants currently are funded by the Maryland Read the Rest…
The Maryland Natural Resources Police took action related to alleged violations of criminal and natural resource laws from December 2025 through February of 2026. During the winter months, individuals were charged for violations including spotlighting, hunting out of season, weapons charges, oyster harvest violations, crimes on public lands, and other offenses.
Two fish herald spring for most anglers in Maryland: the yellow perch for tidal anglers and the trout for freshwater anglers. Both are available this month. The yellow perch spawning runs are underway and trout are being caught in the trout management waters known as closure 0, which are now open. Our young anglers under Read the Rest…
The Board of Public Works today approved more than $747,000 in grants from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to local governments for playgrounds and land conservation in Prince George’s, Queen Anne’s, Somerset, and Talbot counties. Approved funding includes $200,000 from the Community Parks and Playgrounds Program for the renewal of the basketball and tennis Read the Rest…
DNR Office of Outdoor Recreation Supports Growth with New Business Directory Maryland’s outdoor industry generated 1.9% of Maryland’s gross domestic product in 2024, according to a recent report by the federal Bureau of Economic Analysis, generating $10.6 billion through boating, hiking, hunting, fishing, cycling, RVing, camping, skiing, and much more. The recreation industry generated more Read the Rest…
New rules simplify season structure, increase access, and maintain conservation protection The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is preparing to implement a shift in the season for recreational striped bass, or rockfish. The seasonal shift opens April to catch-and-release fishing and closes all of August to targeting striped bass. These adjustments are intended to Read the Rest…
Warmer weather has been inviting anglers to enjoy fishing across Maryland. Trout stockings are providing good trout fishing in the waters that are open for fishing, yellow perch are beginning their spawning runs, and many species of freshwater fish are becoming active.
The Department of Natural Resources is seeking public comment on the 2025-2035 Maryland State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP). This wide-ranging document examines the state’s plants and animals, outlining ways to support species of greatest conservation need – species which are rare, declining, or at risk of declining in Maryland – along with the key wildlife Read the Rest…
The Great Maryland Outdoors Act will fund project, improving habitat value and accessibility Point Lookout State Park will undergo a series of renovations over the next few years to improve climate resilience at the park, while also protecting habitat space and promoting access for park visitors. The projects are funded by the Great Maryland Outdoors Read the Rest…
DNR supports more than 50 free fishing events for children and teens Children and teenagers from ages 3 to 15 interested in fishing and want to hone their angling skills can do so at any of Maryland’s 55 youth fishing rodeos happening across the state this year that are being supported by the Department of Read the Rest…
Governor Wes Moore today announced a historic year for oyster reproduction in Maryland waters. According to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, the concentration of new oysters in 2025 was nearly six times higher than the long-term spatset average and the second highest ever recorded in the 41-year modern history of the state’s annual fall Read the Rest…
Released striped bass face higher mortality during the hottest days Practicing safe catch-and-release fishing is always important for conserving fish populations, and these techniques are all the more critical for Maryland’s striped bass now, which have struggled to produce a strong new generation of fish in recent years. Catch-and-release fishing is a great way for Read the Rest…
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is seeking proposals for living shoreline projects on the lower Eastern Shore. DNR released a Request for Proposals to solicit applications for construction, design/build, and design proposals for living shoreline projects. The total funding available through this program for living shoreline restoration projects is approximately $17 million. The Request Read the Rest…
Water quality testing continues to show low bacteria levels in the Potomac River following historic spill On January 19, a break in a 72-inch sewer main known as the Potomac Interceptor caused an overflow into the Potomac River. The release of sewage from aging federal infrastructure was an emergency and people were understandably worried about Read the Rest…
The Maryland Park Service has successfully launched its new reservations management system, which provides visitors with a faster, more intuitive way to reserve campsites, cabins, mini-cabins, pavilions, and other amenities at 37 Maryland State Parks. All reservations made prior to the February 24 launch were securely transferred to the new system. Visitors with existing reservations Read the Rest…
Marylanders made it through the cold temperatures of January and February, and perhaps the only reminder left is some patches of snow and ice, and our heating bills. Maryland’s ice-fishing anglers rejoiced in the cold winter and enjoyed good fishing in many of the western region’s reservoirs Anglers should note that most tidal rivers in Read the Rest…
The Board of Public Works today approved more than $3.7 million in grants from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to local governments for parks and land conservation in Allegany, Caroline, Charles, Howard, Prince George’s, Queen Anne’s, and Washington counties. is considered by the Smithsonian Institute to be one of the most important ecological areas Read the Rest…
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is embarking on a comprehensive renovation of the Albert Powell Fish Hatchery, in partnership with the Department of General Services. This project is a critical part of the state’s commitment to recreational angling. Renovations will modernize the Hagerstown facility, adding a new hatchery building to allow DNR to Read the Rest…
