When I was appointed Secretary of Natural Resources in 2023, I made clear that we would follow through on Gov. Wes Moore’s promise to expand access for all to Maryland’s nature spaces and outdoor recreation. Since then we have opened several new parks and areas that provide access to Maryland’s natural beauty along with its Read the Rest…
Weekend and holiday day-use reservations are now available for Gunpowder Falls State Park’s Hammerman beach area, Rocky Gap State Park, and Swallow Falls State Park As summer crowds return to Maryland State Parks, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources is expanding its traffic flow management and park entrance system to help visitors avoid long entrance Read the Rest…
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) completed a 71-acre planting project at Newtowne Neck State Park in St. Mary’s County in April that will help prevent rain runoff from reaching the Potomac River. The Maryland Forest Service oversaw the planting of 31,990 native seedlings across 15 fields along the park’s edge. The project expanded Read the Rest…
Maryland offers free fishing days on June 6, June 13, and July 4, the perfect time to introduce a friend to freshwater or tidal fishing, with no fishing license or trout stamp needed. In this wonderful time of the year for fishing, it is great to have a mentor who can guide you, and this Read the Rest…
The Board of Public Works today approved more than $3.3 million in grants from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to local governments for outdoor recreation and land conservation in Anne Arundel, Calvert, Montgomery, and Washington counties. More than $2 million in Program Open Space – Local funding was approved for two recreation projects. Calvert Read the Rest…
The annual Paddlefest at Janes Island State Park takes place June 6-7, offering an opportunity to explore the salt marshes and water trails of Maryland’s southernmost park. Janes Island State Park boasts more than 30 miles of water trails, weaving in and out of the 2,900 acres of salt marsh which compose the island. This Read the Rest…
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has released the 2026 Shooter Qualification Session Schedule for hunters. Many of Maryland’s managed deer hunts scheduled in fall and winter require hunters to obtain a Shooter Qualification Card, which begins by attending these sessions before taking a proficiency test. There will be at least 27 shooting qualification sessions at 11 locations across Read the Rest…
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is now accepting grant proposals for the Fiscal Year 2028 Greenspace Equity Program. The goal of the Greenspace Equity Program is to preserve, create, and improve public greenspaces that enhance the public health and livability of overburdened and underserved communities. The competitive grant program provides funding to land Read the Rest…
Maryland hunters harvested a total of 5,094 wild turkeys during the 2026 spring season. This year’s harvest was 5% higher than last year but remained below the record harvest of 5,356 set in 2023.
