The Maryland Forest Service and the Maryland Forestry Foundation are launching the “Maryland 250” White Oak Contest in celebration of America’s 250th anniversary. The contest invites residents and visitors to search Maryland’s State Forests for the largest white oak trees. Cash prizes of up to $500 will be awarded to the individuals who find the Read the Rest…
Project funded by Blue Convergence Fund’s Climate Resilient Fisheries Engagement Grant The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Fishing and Boating Services Unit has been awarded $96,572 from the nonprofit Blue Convergence Fund to develop a climate resilient fishery management plan for the state. This project was funded in February 2026 as part of the Read the Rest…
There is much excitement in the Chesapeake Bay fishing community this week, as many areas will be open to striped bass anglers to keep a fish within the slot size. Starting Friday, May 1, anglers can keep one striped bass per day measuring 19-24 inches in the Chesapeake Bay from the Brewerton Channel to the Read the Rest…
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has recognized Josh Porter of Baltimore City and Hien Tram of Burtonsville as FishMaryland Master Anglers for catching 10 different species of fish at trophy size in Maryland. These fishermen are the 29th and 30th people to achieve the Master Angler milestone since the program began in 2019. FishMaryland Read the Rest…
Photographers and nature enthusiasts who enjoy Maryland’s outdoors are invited to submit their most beautiful images of the state’s flora and fauna to the annual Department of Natural Resources 2026 Photo Contest. Winning entries will be featured in the 2027 Maryland DNR nature calendar, which is published in late fall. All winners will receive free Read the Rest…
Author’s Note: despite resemblance to current GenAI visuals, this image by user sunny305 was published in 2021, prior to the AI boom, and is likely representative of the skill of digital Photoshop artists. In the head-spinning, ever-expanding world of generative AI, a particularly popular niche is being cultivated that could cause long-term damage to wildlife Read the Rest…
Have you ever thought you could use more rabbits in your yard? Usually, gardeners are trying to rid their gardens of animals that eat their well-manicured plants. And for that purpose, there are plenty of lists of rabbit-resistant plants that feature strong fragrance, fuzzy or prickly textures, or defense mechanisms involving toxicity or an unpleasant Read the Rest…
by Katy Gorsuch Many common plant names have the ability to conjure an evocative image, and those for Trillium sessile are no exception. Commonly known as “toadshade,” other epithets for this plant are “sessile trillium,” “sessile-flowered wake-robin,” and “stinking Benjamin.”
By Katy Gorsuch The weather’s warming and the sunlight is lengthening, leading us all to spending more time outside. Continuing our exploration of the diverse and wonderful ecology of Maryland, we turn to the ephemeral spring moons and all they represent! Recorded in English as far back as 1779, Indigenous peoples of the Americas have Read the Rest…
Levi Rentch of Piney Elementary School in Carroll County won first place in the 2026 Maryland Fifth Grade Arbor Day Poster Contest, sponsored by the Maryland Forest Service. The annual event challenges fifth graders across the state to use their creativity, crafting artful posters capturing a terrific tree-related theme. The 2026 theme was “Trees are Read the Rest…
Agroforestry is the intentional integration of trees and shrubs into crop and livestock systems to improve productivity, resilience, and long-term sustainability. At the Maryland Forest Service, Francis Smith aims to expand its use for communities across the state. “There is an edible and medicinal understory below our forest canopy that offers benefits to landowners ranging Read the Rest…
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is seeking public comment on the proposed fiscal year 2027 Annual Work Plans for the following state forests: Chesapeake/Pocomoke, Green Ridge, Potomac-Garrett, and Savage River. The comment period concludes May 29, 2026. Annual work plans help the department identify priorities within the scope of the forests’ long-range management. They Read the Rest…
The Maryland Park Service is challenging visitors to embark on a photographic scavenger hunt across the state to celebrate Maryland 250. Nearly a century ago, National Geographic Editor Gilbert Grosvenor called Maryland “a delightful geographic miniature of America,” referring to the state’s varied topography. A nickname for our state was coined. Today, America In Miniature: Read the Rest…
In April we celebrate Earth Day and Arbor Day, and it’s a good time for anglers to reflect on all the outdoor opportunities that our predecessor generations helped provide through conservation efforts. Perhaps while you’re out fishing, pick up someone else’s trash, be it some discarded fishing line or paper, just to help in some Read the Rest…
The Board of Public Works today approved more than $1.66 million in grants from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to local governments for recreation upgrades in Allegany, Caroline, Frederick, and Prince George’s counties. In addition, the Board approved $340,000 in Program Open Space – Stateside funds for the acquisition of about 137 acres of Read the Rest…
State agencies connect outdoor learning with the Maryland 5 Million Trees initiative For Earth Week, the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE), and Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) are collaborating to increase participation in the Schoolyard Forests Program, part of the Maryland 5 Million Trees initiative. The Schoolyard Forests Read the Rest…
We are experiencing some gorgeous weather this week, and we hope you can find time to enjoy the wonderful fishing opportunities this week. Maryland Department of Natural Resources trout hatchery crews and biologists are busy stocking trout in many of the trout management waters. Perhaps one trout that usually lights up a smile on a Read the Rest…
Whether a lifelong Marylander or a first-time visitor, anglers are drawn to the quiet magic of a spring morning on our beautiful waters. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources wants everyone to enjoy our state’s unique freshwater fisheries and offers several online resources available to help make every fishing adventure memorable. With spring weather here Read the Rest…
Analysis could help steer efforts for future management of the plant, other invasive species The common reed, or Phragmites australis australis, has a bad reputation. The tall, fast-growing plant—often simply called phragmites—is invasive in North America and widespread in the Chesapeake Bay region. The grass has received the scorn of environmentalists and coastal property owners Read the Rest…
Maryland’s wildfire season is underway and the Department of Natural Resources urges residents to be prepared and help protect our wildlands.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is now taking applications for Greenspace Equity Program Appraisal Funding Grants, which provide money for independent appraisals for acquisitions that may qualify for a Fiscal Year 2028 Greenspace Equity Program Grant. The goal of the Greenspace Equity Program is to preserve, create, and improve public greenspaces that enhance Read the Rest…
International Dark Sky Week in April encourages people to consider ways to avoid artificial light use at night to help birds migrate and natural ecosystems thrive Light pollution, excessive human-produced light during the night, makes it harder to see the stars, but it’s also a hazard to wildlife, from birds to sea turtles. April 13 Read the Rest…
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will conduct a series of prescribed burns along the lower Eastern Shore from early April to mid-May as weather and site conditions allow. Residents and visitors may see smoke in the area of these planned, controlled fires. All burns are conducted by trained DNR personnel. Fire lines are Read the Rest…
The spring weather invites all to enjoy the outdoors as the Maryland landscape blossoms and waters warm. It provides a perfect mix for relaxing fishing at your favorite spot. Trout fishing is often at the top of the list for freshwater anglers during April and the hatchery crews are doing their best to ensure good Read the Rest…
Maryland anglers can do their part to help the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem by catching and removing blue catfish and from waterways. These nonnative fish are top predators that consume native species such as blue crabs, white perch, and menhaden. Avid anglers looking to put their skills to the test can register for tournaments and try Read the Rest…
In portions of Maryland, black bears have vacated their dens and started exploring the areas around them. Homeowners who leave human-generated food sources out in the open – like birdseed, chicken feed, dog food, and even trash – may unintentionally draw bears to residential areas. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources advises residents and visitors to Read the Rest…
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is currently accepting applications from marinas for grants to support the operations and maintenance of marine sewage pumpout stations. Interested marinas can find the application form on the DNR Boating website. The deadline for submissions is April 15, 2026. The Marine Sewage Pumpout Grant program assists marinas in providing Read the Rest…
It is no April Fool’s joke – fun fishing abounds in Maryland this week. Hatchery crews and biologists are busy stocking the trout management waters, fishing for other freshwater fish species is good, and anglers are enjoying the striped bass catch-and-release season in the Chesapeake Bay. Maryland’s portion of the Chesapeake Bay from the between Read the Rest…
The Board of Public Works today approved more than $190,000 in grants from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to local governments for a trail loop in Snow Hill and land conservation in Cecil, Talbot, and Worcester counties. The Board also approved two donations of conservation easements to the Maryland Environment Trust and a land Read the Rest…
For many Marylanders, springtime is synonymous with fishing and the state’s waterways offer a bounty of different fish to pursue. Most Maryland anglers already know about the diverse fishing opportunities throughout the state, but now the word is spreading about what makes Maryland a premier fishing destination. The website FishingBooker recently published its fourth annual Read the Rest…
DNR and other state agencies have plans for flood mitigation and resources for Marylanders Maryland’s rivers have long histories of destructive flooding. Events such as the 1868 Great Flood of Patapsco Valley, Hurricane Agnes in 1972, the 2016 and 2018 Ellicott City floods, and the most recent flooding in Westernport this May demonstrate the magnitude Read the Rest…
