Natural Resources News
Maryland Natural Resources Police Partners with U.S. Department of Justice to Perform Organizational Assessment
The Maryland Natural Resources Police will receive recommendations from the Department of Justice based on organizational structure, community policing, and other focus areas.
The Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) has partnered with the Department of Justice’s Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Office to conduct an organizational assessment to evaluate the agency as it seeks review and recommendations in several focus areas.
Conducted via voluntary request, the COPS Office assesses police departments around the country through its Collaborative Reform Initiative. During the next year, the agency’s assessment will focus on community policing, workforce development, strategic planning, employee wellness, technology, data, and organizational learning. Read more…
Maryland Lifts Statewide Ban on Outdoor Burning
Photo by Taylor Hadley, submitted to Maryland Department of Natural Resources Photo Contest.
Following a review of weather and ground conditions, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources has rescinded a statewide ban on open-air burning that was implemented to prevent the spread of wildfires across the state.
Extremely dry conditions that had persisted throughout the year led to an above average number of wildfires statewide in October, leading to the ban. Following recent precipitation and a forecast of continued normal weather patterns for this time of year, the Maryland Forest Service determined the statewide restriction was no longer necessary, effective immediately. Read more…
Maryland Fishing Report – November 20
Luca Tucciarella will certainly have fond memories of the day he caught this large northern pike at Loch Raven Reservoir. Photo by Vincent Tucciarella
There are plenty of good fishing opportunities this week across Maryland and our offshore waters. Anglers are urged to get out and enjoy the action, which may provide wonderful memories to reflect on this winter.
Nick Perez of Perryville recently earned a Master Angler Milestone Award under the Department’s FishMaryland program. He is the 15th Master Angler and his daughter Lucy Moore was the 10th Master Angler and the first youth and female angler to reach that milestone.
The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s (ASFMC) Striped Bass Management Board will meet in-person and via webinar on Monday, December 16 to consider changing 2025 management measures to increase the probability of rebuilding the stock by the 2029 deadline. The draft agenda, webinar information, and the Technical Committee Report with management options for consideration will be posted on the ASFMC website by December 3. The Commission will host an Informational Webinar on Thursday, December 5 at 6 p.m. to review the management options developed by the Technical Committee and provide the public with sufficient background information to inform the development and submission of public comment by December 10. Register for the webinar online, and for more information, including public comment opportunities, see the Commission’s press release.
Public Invited to Savage River Lodge in Garrett County for Open House and to Provide Input on New State Property
Photo by Judd Vickers, Maryland Department of Natural Resources
The Maryland Park Service will host an open house at Savage River Lodge, 1600 Mt. Aetna Road, Frostburg,on Monday, December 16, from 5 -7 p.m., and is accepting public comment on the newly acquired state property.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) acquired this 42-acre property, featuring 18 cabins, 8 yurts, and a multi-purpose lodge, to incorporate it into the Park Service’s portfolio of Western Maryland public lands and outdoor recreation sites. Read more…
Chesapeake Bay Hypoxia Report – 2024 Year End Summary
Monitoring results show near to below average hypoxia through most of summer 2024
Data collected by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and Old Dominion University show the volume of hypoxia—waters with less than 2 mg/l oxygen—was generally near or below average in the Chesapeake Bay mainstem of Maryland and Virginia in 2024.
For the year, hypoxia volumes were larger than average in May and early June, but declined to smaller than average volumes through the end of August. In September, hypoxia was slightly above average for the period and there was no hypoxia during October sampling. Deep water hypoxia in the Bay normally dissipates after September, with no observed hypoxia in 30 out of the past 40 Octobers. Read more…
Cecil County Angler Named 15th FishMaryland Master Angler
Nick Perez joins his 12-year-old daughter Lucy on the list of Master Anglers
Nick Perez holds a carp he caught in 2020 while fishing with his daughter, Lucy. Photo courtesy of Nick Perez.
Nick Perez of Perryville has earned a Master Angler Milestone Award under the Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ FishMaryland program.
Perez is the 15th Master Angler since the program began in 2019. The award recognizes recreational anglers who catch ten trophy-sized fish of different species in Maryland. Perez’s daughter, Lucy Moore, was the 10th Master Angler and was both the first youth and first female award recipient. Read more…
Maryland’s Two-Week Deer Firearms Season Opens Nov. 30
Popular deer hunting season inspires camaraderie with friends and family
Photo by Penny Ingles, submitted to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Photo Contest.
Maryland’s two-week firearms hunting season for sika and white-tailed deer opens Saturday, Nov. 30 and runs through Saturday, Dec. 14.
The two-week season includes Sunday hunting in all but three counties, affording hunters more weekend opportunities to hunt and contribute to managing Maryland’s deer population. Read more…
Druid Heights Project Brings Green Space and Flood Protection to Baltimore Neighborhood
With DNR support, Etting Street Green Space creates resiliency in underserved area
Government and nonprofit officials and community members cut the ribbon on the Etting Street Green Space. Photo by Joe Zimmermann/DNR
Over the years, a block in the Druid Heights neighborhood in West Baltimore had become a dumping ground for old mattresses, broken appliances, and rubble.
But now, the site is transformed. Where heaps of trash had once covered enough surface that they increased flood risk to the area, there’s now a green space, with native trees, flood mitigation, and a place for the community to come together.
On Wednesday, state and local officials and community leaders cut the ribbon on the Etting Street Green Space project.
“For many years this was a dumping site in the community where illegal dumping and environmental crimes took place on a daily basis,” Tavon Benson, director of outreach for the Druid Heights Community Development Corporation, said at the event. “The community was able to transform this lot into a beautiful space offering stormwater management, future artwork and a safe place for residents to gather.”
Maryland Fishing Report – November 13
Flounder, photo by Monty Hawkins
There are plenty of excellent fishing opportunities this week across Maryland and our offshore waters, don’t miss out on the exciting action. Bundle up and enjoy good fishing before the cold of winter descends upon us, and most importantly take the younger anglers with you. Memories and smiles will last a lifetime.
Survey Teams Fish for Signs of Successful Shad Restoration in Maryland’s Rivers
Maryland Department of Natural Resources photo
On a drizzly day in late September, a crew of Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) biologists cast off from a dock in Denton to survey the Choptank River for juvenile American shad (Alosa sapidissima).
The native fish was once a staple of commercial and recreational fishing in the Chesapeake Bay. Their population plummeted in the first half of the 20th century due to overfishing, habitat degradation, and dam construction. Today, DNR stocks and monitors American and hickory shad as part of a decades-long effort to revive self-sustaining populations of these two species. Read more…
Maryland Department of Natural Resources Enacts Statewide Burn Ban
Dry, windy conditions have increased fire risk across the state and fueled ongoing wildfires
Maryland Forest Service crews work to suppress smoldering leaves from a wildfire in Washington County. Photo by Aaron Cook, Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
UPDATE: Maryland Lifts Statewide Ban on Outdoor Burning, Effective Nov. 21.
In Their Words: NRP’s Veteran Personnel Reflect on Military Service
NRP celebrates its prior and current service members and all others that faithfully served in the Armed Forces this Veterans Day.
The Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) is proud to have numerous veterans among its officers and professional staff that courageously served in the United States Armed Forces. Their sacrifice and dedication to their country and fellow citizens can not be understated. On this Veterans Day, NRP recognizes the contributions service members have made to keep others safe.
NRP’s veterans hold various positions and assignments throughout the agency. From patrol officers to command staff to non-sworn personnel, veterans help shape the department’s character and values. Below are their words on how their service shaped them. Read more…
Natural Resources Police Issue Citations in 2024 Black Bear Hunt
Nine hunters face fines up to $1,500 for illegally baiting during black bear hunt.
Photo by Ranger Sarah Milbourne, Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) took action to stop illegal hunting during the state’s annual black bear hunt, held Oct. 21-26 in Allegany, Frederick, Garrett, and Washington counties. Officers cited several hunters who, although legally permitted to participate in the hunt, were unlawfully using bait to attract and lure bears.
While baiting is legal for white-tailed deer in Maryland on private property, baiting bears is prohibited and is a tightly-controlled aspect of the annual week-long black bear hunt. Due to the nature of the hunt, targeting bears must take place 150 yards or more from a baited location, and if hunting a location previously baited for deer, 10 days must pass after all bait has been removed. Hunters that violate the baiting law for black bears can face up to $1,500 for a first offense and up to $4,000 for a second offense. Read more…
Fall Foliage Report for November 7, 2024
Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area in Cecil County. Photo by Ranger Lesley Leader.
All of Maryland is now past peak foliage for the year.
A drought that has affected Maryland throughout the year continues. As of Nov. 5, more than 53% of the state is experiencing severe drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. More than 83% of Maryland is experiencing moderate drought.
These dry conditions have made for a dangerous wildfire season. Firefighters across the state are busy fighting and monitoring brush fires. Since Oct. 1, the Maryland Forest Service has responded to more than 30 wildland fires statewide. Read more…
Secretary’s Message: There is a Place for Everyone in Maryland’s Outdoors
In October, more than 150 people attended the inaugural Maryland Outdoor Recreation Summit. The event, held at Rocky Gap State Park, represents a milestone for the Department of Natural Resources.
We welcomed academics, park rangers, business owners, students, nonprofit leaders, and others who are engaged in outdoor recreation activities to the summit to build networks, share environmental stewardship ideas, and expand economic opportunities. As part of the event, attendees joined excursions and activities such as kayaking on Lake Habeeb, landscape painting at Rocky Gap, and mountain biking the Great Allegheny Passage. Other outdoor activities included campfires, birding expeditions, rock climbing, and disc golf. Read more…
Maryland Reports 2024 Early Deer Season Results
Deer hunters enjoy successful early season with increased harvest compared to 2023
Photo by Mary Pat Bozel, submitted to the Maryland DNR Photo Contest
Maryland hunters harvested 20,592 deer during the early portion of the 2024 archery and muzzleloader seasons. The harvest was a 24% increase from last year’s official harvest of 16,631 deer for the same period. Read more…
Maryland 2024 Volunteer Fire Assistance Grants Help Local Firefighters Enhance Wildland Fire Protection
Maryland Department of Natural Resources photo
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources Forest Service has awarded Volunteer Fire Assistance grants to 55 volunteer fire departments in 18 counties across the state this year.
The funding helps volunteer fire companies enhance wildland fire protection in rural communities.
In 2024, 64 volunteer fire departments from 18 counties applied for funding assistance to help pay for $403,686 worth of projects. The Maryland Forest Service awarded $159,234 in match funding to help complete $331,551 in project costs statewide. The maximum grant awarded was $3,500 per department. Funds are provided by the USDA Forest Service. Read more…
Maryland Fishing Report – November 6
Frankie Goff hoists up this large blue catfish she caught at the Conowingo Dam pool. Photo by Don Goff
Maryland anglers will be dressing a little warmer this month, but the fishing action is still hot for a variety of species.
Maryland’s Junior Deer Hunt Opens November 16
Annual hunt is an excellent opportunity for adults to mentor young hunters
Photo by Chauntell Hawkins, submitted to the Maryland DNR Photo Contest.
Maryland’s 2024 Junior Deer Hunt will be open November 16 statewide and in certain counties on Sunday, November 17. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources encourages experienced deer hunters to take advantage of these days to introduce young people to the time-honored tradition of hunting.
The Junior Deer Hunt is open on private and designated public land in all counties on November 16. The season is also open on Sunday, November 17 on private land in all counties except Baltimore, Howard, and Prince George’s counties. Also on November 17, junior hunters in Allegany, Cecil, Garrett, Somerset, St. Mary’s, Washington, Wicomico, and Worcester counties, may hunt on designated public lands. Read more…
Food Forests Bring Fruit Harvests and Deeper Connections to Land
Maryland Forest Service promotes the many benefits of making space for edible plants
Francis Smith, Maryland’s lead agroforestry planner, points out a persimmon at the White Marsh Park Edible Trail. Photo by Joe Zimmermann, Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
Enter the neat rows of the White Marsh Park Edible Trail and pick some persimmons, blueberries, or hazelnuts. If you follow their harvest schedule, you can pick them off the branch and take them home with you, at no charge.
The Edible Trail is what might be called a food forest, or a forest garden. It’s an example of agroforestry—a range of practices that incorporate primarily native fruit and nut-bearing trees and shrubs as well as herbaceous species and fungi into the landscape. Taking ideas from both forestry and sustainable agriculture, agroforestry aims to create multi-purpose areas that benefit people and the environment. Read more…
Fall Foliage Report for October 31, 2024
Harriet Tubman State Park and Visitor Center. Photo by Casey Bennett.
Eastern Shore foliage has hit its peak for the season.
“We have had a slow start but are now experiencing those vibrant Autumn colors of deep reds, oranges and yellows,” Park Ranger Joanna Trojanowski reports this week.
Oak trees are still showing some color throughout the state, with red oaks bringing some of the most dramatic colors.
Western Maryland is nearing the end of its season, but there are still flourishes of color, and always plenty to see and do.
“While we are past peak, the woods remain wonderful,” forester Aaron Cook reports from Western Maryland this week.
Cook also reminds people that the fallen leaves can also contribute to wildfire season. The Maryland Forest Service and partner agencies contained two wildfires in Washington County this week; fallen leaves and dry conditions have further exacerbated fire conditions. Be sure to check for any localized burn restrictions and follow Maryland’s Firewise recommendations to protect our natural resources and your property. Read more…
Chesapeake Bay Hypoxia Report – Late Summer 2024
Dissolved oxygen conditions continue to be better than average in August
Data collected by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and Old Dominion University show a smaller-than-average volume of hypoxia—waters with less than 2 mg/l oxygen—in the Chesapeake Bay mainstem of Maryland and Virginia in early and late August. Read more…
Maryland Fishing Report – October 30
Herb Floyd enjoyed some light tackle fishing in the Chesapeake Bay recently, catching this red drum. Photo by Rhonda Floyd
A change of seasons is all around us this week, vibrant colors abound, the mornings have a little more chill in them, and anglers are enjoying fishing across Maryland.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced results of this year’s juvenile striped bass survey, which tracks the reproductive success of Maryland’s state fish in the Chesapeake Bay. The 2024 young-of-year index is 2.0, well below the long-term average of 11.0, and marks the sixth consecutive year of poor reproduction.
Efforts to rebuild the Atlantic Coast population of striped bass have been ongoing for several years. Although recent population estimates indicate improvement, low levels of reproduction will influence future conservation measures under consideration by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission.
Board of Public Works Approves $900,000 for Park Improvement and Rural Land Conservation in Charles, Frederick, Worcester, and Other Counties
Funding approved for DNR’s Conservation Reserve Enhancement, Rural Legacy, and Program Open Space Local programs
Zekiah Rural Legacy Area in Charles County follows the watershed boundaries of Zekiah Swamp Run and is abundant with farms, forests, wetlands of special concern, and historic and archeological sites. Maryland Department of Natural Resources photo.
The Board of Public Works today approved Maryland Department of Natural Resources items totaling $900,000 in grants to local governments and land trusts to improve parks and protect land with perpetual conservation easements.
Among the approvals was a $470,000 grant for a permanent easement through the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) on a 75-acre property in Frederick County. This conservation easement will protect water quality in the Israel Creek and Lower Monocacy River watersheds by retaining forested and grassed buffers on the property in perpetuity. Israel Creek is designated by the Maryland Department of the Environment for use as recreational trout waters and public water supply.
In addition, more than $380,000 in Rural Legacy funding was approved for local sponsors to acquire conservation easements on two Charles County properties totaling 103 acres: Read more…
Youth, Veteran, and Military Waterfowl Hunting Days Offered in November and February
Maryland Department of Natural Resources photo
Maryland’s youth hunters, veterans, and military personnel are afforded a unique opportunity to experience the tradition of waterfowl hunting on two special hunt days: Nov. 2, 2024 and Feb. 8, 2025. Read more…
Maryland State Tree Nursery Now Taking Orders for Spring 2025 Planting
Tree seedlings are loaded at John S. Ayton State Tree Nursery. Maryland DNR photo.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ John S. Ayton State Tree Nursery is accepting orders for spring planting. The online tree seedling catalog can be found at nursery.dnr.maryland.gov. Read more…
Maryland Hunters Harvest 125 Black Bears for 2024 Season
Photo by Mitch Adolph, submitted to Maryland DNR Photo Contest.
Maryland hunters harvested 125 black bears during the state’s 21st annual black bear hunt held Oct. 21-26 in Allegany, Frederick, Garrett, and Washington counties. The 2024 harvest was higher than the previous 5-year average of 104 bears.
The 2024 harvest consisted of 52 male and 73 female bears. Total harvest from each county was 80 from Garrett County, 24 from Allegany County, 11 from Washington County, and 10 from Frederick County. The largest bear had a live weight of 650 pounds and was taken in Frederick County. An additional 16 bears (8 male and 8 female) were harvested between August 15 and October 27 by farmers with agricultural damage permits. Read more…
Fall Foliage Report for October 24, 2024
Greenbelt Lake, Prince George’s County – Photo by Vincent Chiang
In Western Maryland the foliage season is coming to a close, while trees on the Eastern Shore are hitting a midpoint. Trees in Central Maryland are at peak.
“In Anne Arundel, the sun-splashed yellow hickory leaves are sprinkled through the forest canopy. The red black gum are prominent while sweet gum are reddening up,” says Francis Smith of the Maryland Forest Service.
“In the Hagerstown watershed forest, the sugar maple, sweet birch, and tulip poplar are positively glowing with the fine weather we’ve had,” Forester Bob Schwartz reports. “These less developed areas with more extensive shallow groundwater flow seem to be avoiding the lackluster color predicted due to the drought this summer.”
The pine trees on Assateague Island are evergreen, but Assistant Park Manager Meghan Rhode said fall color makes its presence known, “Whether it is the orange of the monarch butterfly, the bright yellow of the goldenrod or red-brown coats of the Assateague ponies.” Read more…
Maryland Fishing Report – October 23
Angler Manny Gomez caught a 27.1-inch spotted seatrout, also called a speckled trout, in the Chesapeake Bay. Photo courtesy of Manny Gomez
Mild weather conditions and a full spectrum of fall fishing opportunities await anglers this week from the mountains of Western Maryland to the Atlantic.
With the fall fishing season well underway, anglers are encouraged to participate in the Department of Natural Resources’ volunteer angler surveys. This is a chance for anglers to directly help with fisheries management. The information you provide assists the Department’s fisheries biologists with collection of important data, including species caught, harvest (fish kept), total catches, and fish released.
The Gunpowder Falls Tailwater: Assessing One of Maryland’s Coldwater Trout Fisheries
Maryland Department of Natural Resources staff assist with netting trout during a survey of the Gunpowder River. Photo by AJ Metcalf/Maryland DNR.
On a brisk September morning, fisheries biologists with the help of an electrofishing pontoon barge and a 12-person net crew waded central Maryland’s most popular self-sustaining brown trout fishery searching for what lies beneath the surface.
Between the Prettyboy Reservoir and the Loch Raven Reservoir is a 17-mile stretch of fertile trout habitat, where wild brown trout have flourished since the late 1980s due to one of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ greatest success stories. Read more…
Inaugural Maryland Outdoor Recreation Summit Held at Rocky Gap
Photo by Torey Vayer, Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
Maryland hosted its first-ever Outdoor Recreation Summit in October, bringing together hundreds of outdoor enthusiasts for three days of networking and learning at Rocky Gap State Park.
Attendees included academics, park rangers, business owners, students, and nonprofit leaders. The summit provided a chance for professionals to connect and to discuss important topics, such as fostering inclusivity in the outdoor industry and ensuring accessibility through adaptive recreation. During presentations and panel discussions, attendees learned how to conduct business on state lands, how to create economic opportunity related to unique outdoor recreation experiences, how to implement sustainable best practices, how to plan trails, and more.
Read more…
Fall Foliage Report for October 17, 2024
Scott’s Mill Bridge crossing Big Elk Creek. Photo by Anthony Burrows.
Parts of Western Maryland are past peak foliage for the season, while on the Eastern Shore and Southern Maryland leaves are approaching their midpoint.
In Patapsco Valley State Park there are pockets of green, as well as holes in the forest canopy where winds have knocked down foliage. Foliage in Frederick is near its peak.
Temperatures have started dipping. Snow showers have been reported in Allegany County.
Below we have the latest on Maryland fall foliage based on field reports from Maryland foresters, rangers, and nature observers.
Results of Chesapeake Bay 2024 Young-of-Year Striped Bass Survey Show Little Change
Low spawning success documented for sixth consecutive year
A juvenile striped bass caught and released by a survey crew in the Nanticoke River. Photo by Joe Zimmermann, Maryland DNR.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced results of this year’s juvenile striped bass survey, which tracks the reproductive success of Maryland’s state fish in the Chesapeake Bay. The 2024 young-of-year index is 2.0, well below the long-term average of 11.0, and marks the sixth consecutive year of poor reproduction. Read more…
Rural Legacy Farmers and Partners Celebrate 25 Years of Preserving Maryland’s Bucolic Landscape and Working Farms
Cows at Rolling Stone Farm in St. Mary’s County. Photo by Rachael Pacella.
Whether it’s waterfront farmland , culturally important land where Harriet Tubman resided, a working farm in Baltimore County, or a stretch of quiet woodlands in Western Maryland, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Rural Legacy Program has been protecting it for a quarter century.
The Maryland Rural Legacy Program protects the viability of agriculture while also conserving natural resources and wildlife habitat within designated Rural Legacy Areas.
The Rural Legacy Program uses perpetual conservation easements to protect properties from development. Landowners are paid to relinquish certain development rights and effect restrictions on their properties ensuring that these working landscapes and habitats remain undeveloped in perpetuity. Farmers have reported that these payments have helped them expand and enhance their farming operations, while allowing them to protect the rural character of their communities for the future.
The easements are arranged by local sponsors, which include land trusts and county governments. These partners help to protect ecologically-important areas and working landscapes in the 36 designated Rural Legacy Areas that are spread across the state – there is at least one Rural Legacy Area in each of the state’s 23 counties. To date, the Rural Legacy Program has invested $405 million to preserve more than 125,000 acres of land in conservation easements since its inception.
The program recently celebrated its 25-year anniversary. To mark the occasion, DNR visited farms across the state and spoke with landowners about what the program means to them. Read their stories below. Read more…
Maryland Fishing Report – October 16
Theodore Post has his hands full holding this large sheepshead he caught at the Ocean City Inlet. Photo by Courtney Hevner
The mornings show signs of the approaching colder weather, but the daytime air temperatures and sunny weather are delightful. Trout anglers are enjoying the fall stocking of trout, while Chesapeake Bay and coastal anglers are focusing on a variety of fish.
With the fall fishing season well underway, anglers are encouraged to participate in the Department of Natural Resources’ volunteer angler surveys. This is a chance for anglers to directly help with fisheries management. The information you provide assists the Department’s fisheries biologists with collection of important data, including species caught, harvest (fish kept), total catches, and fish released.
Caroline County Angler Named 14th FishMaryland Master Angler
Jeremy Elmore’s quest to qualify began with an accidental catch, and ended in a small pond
Master Angler Jeremy Elmore. Photo courtesy of Jeremy Elmore, used with permission by Maryland DNR
Jeremy Elmore of Preston has earned a Master Angler Milestone Award under the Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ FishMaryland program.
Elmore is the 14th Master Angler since the program began in 2019. The award recognizes recreational anglers who catch ten trophy-sized fish of different species in Maryland. Read more…
Board of Public Works Approves Nearly $2.9 Million for Park Improvements and Land Conservation in Anne Arundel, St. Mary’s, and Elsewhere
Funding from DNR’s Program Open Space Local and Rural Legacy programs will support new Edgewater Recreation Center and conservation easements in Southern Maryland
Located on the northern end of St. Mary’s County, the Huntersville Rural Legacy Area includes 12 miles of Patuxent River shoreline. Maryland Department of Natural Resources photo.
The Board of Public Works today approved Maryland Department of Natural Resources items totaling about $2.9 million in grants to local governments and land trusts to improve parks and protect land with perpetual conservation easements.
Nearly $2.3 million in Program Open Space – Local funds were approved for six projects including a grant to Anne Arundel County for the development of the new Edgewater Recreation Center. The county will use the funds to renovate an existing building to provide indoor recreational opportunities such as fitness classes, basketball courts, pickleball courts, and an indoor playground. Program Open Space – Local provides funding for county and municipal governments for the planning, acquisition, and development of recreational land or facilities.
Nearly $600,000 in Rural Legacy funding was approved for local sponsors to acquire conservation easements on two St. Mary’s County properties totaling 249 acres: Read more…
Fall Foliage Report for October 10, 2024
Welcome to this week’s Fall Foliage Report for the Old Line State – or maybe it’s the Gold Line State. That’s what many of the hickories and birch trees in our state are showing right now – leaves with yellow, golden hues.
Overall, foresters and rangers continue to report a lackluster leaf show for 2024. Recent wind and rain have knocked down dry leaves.
Oaks are dropping acorns. In this issue, you can read more about how to tell the difference between Maryland’s oaks and acorns in Forester Melissa Nash’s report. Parts of the state are experiencing “peaks” in foliage for certain tree species.
In the Bear Pond Mountains in Washington County, areas of hickory, maple, birch, and black gum are peaking, according to forester Aaron Cook.
“This weekend would be a fantastic time to hike the Appalachian Trail in Washington County, or explore neighboring Frederick County at Catoctin Mountain Park, Cunningham Falls State Park, or Gambrill State Park,” Cook said. Read more…
Maryland Fishing Report – October 9
Steve Evans caught this large flathead recently just below the Conowingo Dam pool on the lower Susquehanna River. Photo courtesy of Steven Evans
Marylanders continue to see temperatures dip as we move our way through October. Fishing could hardly be better for a wide variety of freshwater and saltwater fish. To the delight of trout anglers, the fall trout stocking program has begun. Other anglers set their sights on fish like the invasive flathead catfish.
With the fall fishing season well underway, anglers are encouraged to participate in the Department of Natural Resources’ volunteer angler surveys. This is a chance for anglers to directly help in fisheries management. The information you provide assists the Department’s fisheries biologists with collection of important data, including species caught, harvest (fish kept), total catches, and fish released.
DNR Announces Next Three Large-Scale Oyster Restoration Sanctuaries
Effort comes as part of state’s new Four Point Oyster Sanctuary Plan
Oyster shell used for a planting at the Choptank River. Mitch Cannon/DNR
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has selected the next three sites for large-scale oyster restoration in Maryland waters of the Chesapeake Bay, marking the beginning of the state’s next phase of major oyster restoration.
The department will conduct oyster restoration and monitoring in sanctuaries in Herring Bay, the Nanticoke River, and Hoopers Strait. Staff presented the selected sites to the Oyster Advisory Commission at its meeting Tuesday.
Planning for these new restoration efforts comes as the department concludes its initial restoration of the “big five” sanctuary sites as required in the 2014 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement. Initial restoration is complete at four sanctuaries, with work on the last site in Manokin River scheduled to be completed on target for 2025.
“These three large-scale restoration sanctuaries represent a new chapter for oyster restoration in Maryland,” Department of Natural Resources Secretary Josh Kurtz said. “We’ve had tremendous success with our existing restoration sanctuaries, and we’re excited to build on that achievement and keep up the momentum for oyster recovery in the Chesapeake Bay.” Read more…
Grants Awarded to Maryland Department of Natural Resources to Conserve Native Brook Trout and Sunfish and Restore Their Habitat
A native brook trout is examined by biologists before being returned to the water. Maryland DNR photo.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation have awarded the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) two grants through the Chesapeake Watershed Investment for Landscape Defense (Chesapeake WILD) program. Grant funds will support comprehensive conservation strategies including targeted reintroduction efforts for two freshwater fish species listed as species of greatest conservation need within Maryland’s State Wildlife Action Plan.
The two species, blackbanded sunfish and eastern brook trout, each require specific habitats with good water quality driven by healthy landscapes. Protecting and restoring the lands and waters these species rely on is critical to their persistence into the future. As part of these two projects, DNR will plant nearly 20,000 trees, which also supports Maryland’s 5 Million Trees initiative. Read more…
Maryland White-tailed Deer Experiencing Hemorrhagic Disease Outbreak in Some Areas
Photo by by Freddi Weiner, submitted to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Photo Contest.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) advises hunters that Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) has been confirmed in Maryland and is the likely cause of death for white-tailed deer reported in numerous counties across the state.
EHD is a naturally occurring disease that affects white-tailed deer and, rarely, domestic livestock. The disease poses no threat to humans. EHD is common throughout the eastern United States and outbreaks occur in Maryland annually at differing degrees.
This year, confirmed or suspected cases of EHD have been documented in counties on the Eastern Shore, central and southern Maryland, and as far west as Garrett County. The largest outbreak in the state appears to be in Carroll, Frederick, and Washington counties. The disease has also been reported in the neighboring states of Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia.
Read more…
2024 Maryland Natural Resource Photo Contest Winners Announced
Fan Favorite Winner to Be Chosen on Facebook
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has chosen the winners of the annual Maryland Natural Resource Photo Contest, with the grand prize going to Debby Berlyne for her photo of a green heron at Brookside Gardens.
Secretary’s Message: Science is the Key to Discovering Maryland and Protecting the Chesapeake
Secretary Josh Kurtz assists with a trout survey in the Gunpowder River. Maryland Department of Natural Resources photo.
Science is the foundation of everything we do at the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. To emphasize this point, DNR conducted its second annual Science Week from Sept. 23 to 27 to highlight the department’s field experts working to conserve and protect our lands, waters, and wildlife.
During this week I traveled more than 500 miles with department leaders from locations in western Maryland to the southern Eastern Shore to join our department’s field staff and view their work firsthand. Read more…
Meet Maryland’s Cryptids and the Wildlife That May Have Inspired Them
Chessie is a storied Bay monster, with many reports of sightings of a large, unknown shape in the water over the decades. While we don’t know what these witnesses saw, they might have seen one of several species of fish or marine mammal. Chessie illustration by James Point Du Jour/DNR; Photo credit Robert Michelson/NOAA
The word “cryptid” evokes visions of Bigfoot, the Loch Ness Monster, or Chupacabra. According to the Cambridge Dictionary, a cryptid is “a creature that is found in stories and that some people believe exists or say they have seen, but that has never been proven to exist.” Yet.
Do we have cryptids in Maryland? Some people think so. But who, or what, are these creatures really? There’s a good chance they are inspired by our native wildlife.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife and Heritage Service presented a cryptids display at the Maryland State Fair this year and engaged with many visitors. Many of these guests had their own stories and folklore to share about Maryland’s mythical creatures. Read more…
One Last Hurdle: American Eels Navigate over Ellicott City’s Daniels Dam with a New Ladder
Recent dam removals on the Patapsco River ease their path
American eels get a little help from some Maryland Conservation Corps members to complete their epic migration from the Sargasso Sea. Photo by Joe Zimmermann
A thousand or so miles into their migration, some American eels find themselves in the bottom of a bucket.
One late summer day, a Maryland Conservation Corps crew took a net to the holding tank at the top of Daniels Dam on the border of Baltimore and Howard counties. Earlier this season, they had built a new eel ladder here, replacing an older structure, and throughout the migration season they continue monitoring it for new eels. By the time of this survey, the eels are a few inches long, thinner than a pencil, and eager to get upriver.
After counting and weighing the squirming mass—13 eels at a combined 18 grams—the team releases them off the upper side of the dam, where they can continue their journey for miles ahead, unimpeded by man-made obstruction. Read more…
Fall Foliage Report for October 3, 2024
Casselman River Bridge in Grantsville. Note, due to safety concerns, the 210-year-old bridge is currently closed. Photo by Melissa Nash, Maryland Forest Service.
Hallelujah, rain.
That is what the trees would say if they could talk. Much of Maryland has been experiencing drought, so this big drink of water will be stupendous for the flora. Alas, the rain is coming too late to bolster this year’s foliage show.
While much of the state remains green with a few spots of changing color, in some areas trees are turning brown and dropping their leaves, skipping the more vibrant color stages. This failure to gradient is likely the result of dry conditions during the summer months.
The rain is prompting troops of mushrooms to emerge from trees, stumps and roots. These Maryland fungi bring bright whites to the dark forest floor.
Washington County Forester Aaron Cook has reported that leaf color changes are picking up in the understory of the South Mountain forest.
“The fall foliage, or lack thereof, have reminded me that our native plant communities are often being invaded by non-native plants,” Cook writes. “Invasive plants generally outcompete their native counterparts by leafing out earlier, or staying green longer into the fall.”
Melissa Nash, Garrett and Allegany Project Manager for the Maryland Forest Service, said Mountain Maryland is experiencing a “rolling peak,” with trees hitting their climax at different times.
“Wind and much needed rain have brought down many of the early turning maples and dampened what I think may have been a peak this week,” Nash reports.
Read below for the full report from foresters and rangers around the state, and information on local events.
Mushrooms grow from the forest floor inside the Tawes Garden in Annapolis. Photo by Rachael Pacella.
Maryland’s Whole Watershed Restoration Partnership Seeks Projects
State will select up to five watersheds for a five-year targeted investment for restoration
Maryland Department of Natural Resources photo
The Whole Watershed Restoration Partnership, created to address multiple conservation goals in the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays and their watersheds, has released a Request for Proposals seeking watershed restoration project proposals to review and consider for state investment across multiple fund sources.
The partnership’s State Management Team – including experts from the Maryland departments of Agriculture, Emergency Management, Environment, Natural Resources, and Planning, along with the Critical Area Commission – will select up to five watersheds for a concentrated five year focus of technical and financial assistance. The state anticipates local watershed teams to be inclusive of many partners, including community associations, local government(s), landowners, watershed organizations and other non-profit organizations, and private firms engaged in eligible watershed activities, among others.
Maryland’s Whole Watershed Act (SB 969/HB 1165) establishes a collaborative and science-based approach to watershed restoration that aims to promote science-based solutions to waterway restoration efforts. The new law will utilize existing state funds to create a new Whole Watershed Fund that will support a five-year pilot program targeting five Maryland watersheds that best represent the state’s diverse land uses, geographies, and impairments. Read more…
Early Muzzleloader Deer Season Opens Oct. 17 throughout Maryland
Photo by by Chauntell Hawkins, submitted to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Photo Contest.
The first segment of Maryland’s muzzleloader deer season will be open Oct. 17-19 statewide. Hunters in Region B — the state’s central, southern, and eastern regions — can also use muzzleloaders from Oct. 21-26 for antlerless deer only. Read more…
Maryland Fishing Report – October 2
The Casanova family enjoyed a wonderful fishing trip together for bluefish in the lower bay recently that will cement long lasting family memories. Photo by Travis Long
October temperatures and hungry fish are setting the stage for fun fishing adventures. Families and friends are taking advantage of setting out to enjoy the outdoors from western Maryland to our coastal waters. Don’t miss this extraordinary time to enjoy fishing together.
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