Natural Resources News
Maryland Fishing Report – July 15
Angler Rodney Hamm caught a 32.5-inch Chesapeake Channa in the Sassafras River in June. Photo courtesy of Rodney Hamm.
The summer heat is on, but there is plenty of great fishing to be had throughout Maryland. Make sure your fishing license is up to date!
As a reminder, under new regulations the Chesapeake Bay recreational striped bass fishery is open to harvest through July 31 and then closed the entire month of August, reopening Sept. 1. During the remaining striped bass season, anglers should check the forecast conditions and fish with caution to protect our iconic species from the stress of being targeted during times of high temperatures and low oxygen levels. Once anglers catch their daily limit (one fish per person per day, at least 19 inches and cannot exceed 24 inches), they should cease targeting striped bass and focus on other species, to limit the amount that are caught and released. If a striped bass isn’t a keeper, it should be released in the water without ever being removed.
Tips for safe catch and release are on the Maryland Department of Natural Resources website.
This is a great time to pursue the multiple other species in Maryland waters – particularly blue catfish found in almost every tidal river, and the challenging Chesapeake Channa, or northern snakehead, which is very active in warm temperatures.
Regional reports for the Chesapeake Bay, freshwater fishing areas, and the Atlantic and coastal bays will return later this month.
Maryland Black Bear Hunt Lottery Applications Open for 2026 Season
Photo by by Mitch Adolph, submitted to the 2023 Maryland DNR Photo Contest.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ black bear hunt lottery will be open from July 15 through August 31. Entry is required to participate in the 2026 Maryland bear hunting season from October 26 – 31 in all of Allegany, Frederick, Garrett and Washington counties.
The bear hunt is an important part of managing Maryland’s expanding bear population by helping to reduce conflicts between humans and bears such as collisions with vehicles and property damage.
Hunters can check the DNR black bear hunt website on September 3 to see if they were selected. Applicants of the lottery who are not selected receive one preference point for each year that they enter the lottery but are not selected. Each preference point represents one chance in the next bear permit lottery the hunter enters. Anyone who is not seeking a permit this year, but may in the future, can purchase a preference point for $15 without entering the 2026 lottery. Read more…
Maryland Accepting Requests to Fund Watershed Restoration, Community Flood Planning, Beneficial Use, and Environmental Education
Maryland DNR Grants Gateway open for Fiscal Year 2028 funding
A newly constructed living shoreline on Tilghman Island protects a tidal wetland and adjacent community from coastal flood impacts. Maryland DNR photo by Maggie Cavey.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ Grants Gateway opens July 15, 2026 for applications from local governments and organizations for Fiscal Year 2028.
Through this process, DNR connects Maryland communities with funding opportunities for projects and programs that improve water quality in local waterways, increase communities’ resilience to storms and changing conditions, strengthen local economies, develop environmental stewards, and increase beneficial use of dredged material.
The department’s Grants Gateway solicitation provides a streamlined hub for multiple funding sources–enabling prospective applicants to find the program that meets their needs. Read more…
Maryland Awards $11.2 Million from Whole Watershed Program to Advance Environmental Restoration
The Baltimore Harbor is one of five selected watersheds in the Whole Watershed Program. DNR photo
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is awarding $11.2 million in grants from the Whole Watershed Fund to accelerate restoration efforts in five key watersheds across the state. Established by the Whole Watershed Act, this second year of the five-year program supports 30 projects in Antietam Creek, Baltimore Harbor, Newport Bay, the Severn River, and the Upper Choptank River, including three agricultural areas, and two cross-state collaborative areas.
Each watershed will receive $2 million in project funding and $250,000 for watershed monitoring funding. Projects will help improve water quality, enhance habitat, and engage communities throughout Maryland. Read more…
Native Animal Profile: Crayfish
A biologist holds up a crayfish found in the Patapsco River. Maryland Department of Natural Resources photo
Most of us who have played in shallow water or let our children play in Maryland streams and ponds vividly recall an encounter with a crayfish. It’s usually hiding under a rock, hurriedly scampering along a sandy stream bottom, shooting quickly backwards away from disturbance, or angrily shaking small claws at us as we pluck it out of the water. This creek critter is uniquely charismatic and still quite common despite the increase in threats to its survival. Whether you call it crayfish, crawfish, mudbug, crawdad, freshwater lobster, or another of many common nicknames, this humble crustacean is often seen but not often fully appreciated. Read more…
No Place Like Home: DIY Wildlife Houses for Home Habitats, Gardeners, and Kids
By Katy Gorsuch
If you’re anything like me, you spent much more time as a kid carefully constructing homes for rolly pollies (aka isopods) than you did playing sports. And there’s no reason that should stop! Below are a selection of houses you can build for our wildlife neighbors, each with a difficulty rating based on the time and materials needed to put them together (Note: if you need to change the size, you can use the same scale).
Toad Abode
Entry submitted to Maryland DNR’s 2020 “Create Your Own State Park” program.
Rating: Easy, 1 out of 5 Slugs
Materials: a flower pot or a bowl or some rocks or an old birdhouse (or anything else that works where you are and with what you have)
A home for a toad, or a “toad abode” is one of the simplest wildlife homes you can put together! The goal is to create a spot that is cool, shaded, and on the ground, in whatever form that takes. If this is going to go in a sunny spot in your space, choose materials that don’t heat up much, like ceramic, or tuck the house back underneath bushes or shrubs. Read more…
Natural Heritage Program Spotlight: The SWAP!
Cover of the 2025-2035 Maryland State Wildlife Action Plan, which has been completed for review by the federal government.
The tagline of the 1990s television show Captain Planet told kids weekly, “the power is yours!” Just like the adventures those cartoon characters faced every week, Maryland’s State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP) is a real-life Planeteer challenge: How should we as Maryland citizens work collaboratively to protect rare species and keep abundant wildlife from becoming rare in the future? Natural Heritage Program staff and community stakeholders across the state have been working tirelessly to tackle this challenge. We are proud to share that a final draft is complete!
Every ten years, all fifty states and the District of Columbia are required to update their SWAP. The plan is meant to serve as a non-regulatory guiding document for conservation efforts concerning the state’s Species of Greatest Conservation Need – including all shapes and sizes of wild animals and plants – and the habitats where we find them. The last SWAP cycle was completed in 2015. The updated SWAP was due and submitted to the federal government on May 1, 2026. Compliance is necessary for states to access State Wildlife Grant (SWG) funding, which funds a large chunk of non-game species conservation work nationwide. According to the US Fish and Wildlife Service, these funds are used “for improving public and private lands, ensuring the availability of sufficient habitat for species, and providing quality recreational experiences for outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds.” Examples of funded efforts include research, fish and wildlife surveys, species restoration, habitat management, and monitoring. States must also match 25-35% of those funds, and for Maryland that funding often comes from the Chesapeake Bay and Endangered Species Fund. Anyone can donate to it on their tax return each year. Read more…
Moon Mythology and Maryland Wildlife: Summer Moons
By Katy Gorsuch
Assateague at Night by Rick Dove, DNR Photo Contest 2020. The next full moon after this photo was taken would have been the full Buck Moon, on July 5th in 2020.
Continuing our exploration of the diverse and wonderful ecology of Maryland, we turn to the warm summer full moons and all they represent!
As with winter and spring moons, summer full moons have folk names often in alignment with animals responding to the changing seasons, or locally important events. Recorded in English as far back as 1722, indigenous peoples named the full moons, although some are more recently derived.
Full moon names varied widely depending on geographic location and language family amongst Native Americans. For example, in some locations one full moon might be named “Goose Moon,” while in another location the same time period could be the “Cold Moon.” The practice of naming moons this way doesn’t seem to have been historically universal, and in the centuries since moon names were first recorded by colonists, misinformation has proliferated. For our purposes, we use supposed Algonquian full moon names as a starting point to explore Maryland’s unique wildlife, and how the seasons change! Read more…
NRP Responds To Maritime Emergencies, Conducts Hundreds Of Vessel Stops Independence Day Weekend
Officers responded to multiple weather-related water rescues and cited boaters for violations during Operation Dry Water.
Natural Resources Police officers conduct patrols on NRP’s newest boat, the 31-foot Harry L. George, alongside firefighting and rescue vessels. Maryland DNR photo.
The Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) investigated 11 reportable boating accidents, conducted hundreds of vessel stops, and made five alcohol related arrests during its annual Operation Dry Water “saturation patrol” campaign from July 3 to July 5.
Statistically this time is the busiest and most dangerous boating holiday. No boating fatalities were recorded in Maryland on Independence Day weekend. Read more…
Chesapeake Bay Monitoring Shows Dissolved Oxygen Conditions Best on Record in Early Part of Season
Drought contributes to low hypoxia in early part of season
Data collected by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and Old Dominion University show lower than average volumes of hypoxia—waters with less than 2 mg/l of oxygen—in the Chesapeake Bay mainstem of Maryland and Virginia from May to late June 2026.
No hypoxia was observed in May, one of ten years with no monitored hypoxia in May during the past 42 years. Early June had the lowest hypoxic volume ever measured for the time period with less than a tenth of a cubic mile. Late June hypoxia rose to just under one cubic mile, but was still below the historical average. May and early June had no anoxia – waters with less than 0.2 mg/l of oxygen – while 0.05 cubic miles were observed in late June. Read more…
Maryland Fishing Report – July 8
Rustin Moore holds a beautiful speckled trout he caught recently in the lower Bay. Photo courtesy of Rustin Moore
Milder temperatures are welcoming anglers to enjoy fishing across Maryland from the freshwater areas to the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic waters. There is a wide variety of adventures waiting for anglers to explore.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds anglers that water and air temperatures are elevated, and caution needs to be taken when fishing for striped bass.
Once anglers catch their daily limit, they should cease targeting striped bass and focus on other species, to limit the amount that are caught and released. If a striped bass isn’t a keeper, it should be released in the water without ever being removed.
Tips for safe catch and release are on the DNR website.
Ocean City Angler Sets New Maryland State Record for False Albacore
Atlantic Division record broken for the third time in one year
Cooper Clark next to his state record false albacore being weighed on a certified scale at Sunset Marina, Ocean City. Photo courtesy of Cooper Clark.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has officially recognized Cooper Clark of Ocean City as the new state record holder for false albacore (Euthynnus alletteratus) in the Atlantic Division. Clark’s 28.2-pound catch surpasses the previous record of 26.0 pounds that was set in July 2025, just eight days after the record fell for the first time in 30 years.
Clark caught the false albacore on July 3, 2026, at the “Jackspot,” a commonly fished area 20-30 nautical miles off Ocean City near the 20-fathom line. Read more…
Preventing Tick Bites Like The Pros – Advice from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Field Staff
Ixodes scapularis (blacklegged tick). Photo Courtesy of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Visitors to Maryland’s parks and public lands should take steps to prevent tick bites and treat tick bites quickly to protect themselves from Lyme disease, Alpha-gal syndrome and other tick-borne illnesses.
Tick prevention is especially important if you are hiking through the woods or in a meadow or field, as ticks wait on grass and leaves, and attach when a host brushes past. Ticks can’t jump, can’t fly, and they don’t fall out of trees, according to the University of Maryland Extension.
Avoiding tick bites and reacting to them quickly is the best way to prevent tick illness. Ticks are found throughout Maryland, and are active in the spring, summer and fall, though tick bites are possible year-round. Anyone spending time outside should stay vigilant.
Department of Natural Resources staff often work outdoors in remote areas, and have shared their best tips for reducing exposure to tick-related illnesses.
Following these pro tips can help everyone stay vigilant and protect themselves outdoors. Read more…
Waterfowl Blind Site Licensing Process Begins for 2026-2027
Online lottery, virtual appointments available to secure waterfowl hunting locations
Maryland Department of Natural Resources photo
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is offering an online process for Maryland hunters to apply for a 2026-2027 waterfowl offshore blind site license. Hunters and riparian landowners may enter the annual lottery for the opening days of waterfowl blind site licensing from July 15 through July 28 using the Department’s online licensing portal, MD Outdoors. Read more…
Secretary’s Message: The Story of America Can Be Followed on Maryland’s Trails
Maryland Department of Natural Resources Secretary Josh Kurtz and Maryland Park Service Director Angela Crenshaw meet with descendants of former enslaved workers of the Colonial-era Catoctin Furnace. A re-discovered cemetery where these skilled workers were buried lies within Cunningham Falls State Park. Maryland DNR photo.
The primary mission of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources is to protect our natural environment, but as stewards of a half million acres of property, DNR is also custodian of our state’s rich history.
Almost every Maryland State Park contains some historic feature that came along with the property, but some allow you to literally trace the footsteps of Maryland’s many contributions to the American story.
A good place to start is St. Clement’s Island State Park in the Potomac River off the shore of Colton’s Point in St. Mary’s County. This island is where the Ark and the Dove landed with Maryland’s first English settlers on March 25, 1634. Just like those first settlers, you can only reach the island by boat Read more…
Living Fossils and Symbols of Resilience: DNR Scientists Monitor Horseshoe Crabs After Population Recovery in the Region
A recent study found that horseshoe crabs have bounced back since population declines in 1990s
Dozens of horseshoe crabs gather in the Ocean City inlet during the high tide of the June new moon. Photo by Joe Zimmermann/DNR
Under the vibrant lights of the Ocean City boardwalk Ferris wheel and Slingshot ride, prehistoric animals scuttled onto the shore of a quiet beach by the thousands.
While the setting has changed, horseshoe crabs and their close relatives have been making this same journey to the world’s coastlines for hundreds of millions of years, through mass extinctions and the shift of continents, in what is considered the oldest wildlife migration on the planet. On spawning days that occur from May to July, these ancient arthropods return to beaches in Maryland and along the East Coast in search of mates.
“The horseshoe crabs are on,” Steve Doctor, a Maryland Department of Natural Resources fisheries biologist, said on a June spawning night. “It’s ‘Jurassic Park’ out there.” Read more…
Living History Takes Root Across Maryland with Liberty Tree Project
The Worcester County Liberty Tree was dedicated near the Calvin B. Taylor House Museum on April 25, 2026. These trees are being dedicated at historic sites and community gathering places across Maryland. Photo by Sam Crane, Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
As Maryland commemorates the 250th anniversary of the United States, communities across the state are becoming home to a unique piece of living history.
Liberty Trees served as important gathering places during the years leading up to the American Revolution. Across the thirteen colonies, groups such as the Sons of Liberty met beneath their branches to discuss rights, self-government and the future of the colonies.
Maryland’s original Liberty Tree, a tulip poplar located near what is now St. John’s College in Annapolis, became one of the state’s most significant historic landmarks. Citizens and community leaders gathered beneath its branches during the unrest surrounding the Stamp Act of 1765, making it a symbol of civic life and Maryland’s role in the nation’s founding.
This year, through the Maryland Liberty Tree Project, a genetically identical descendant of Maryland’s original Liberty Tree is being planted in each of the state’s 23 counties and Baltimore City. With most of the plantings now complete, Marylanders are invited to visit these trees and experience firsthand a living connection to the state’s past. Read more…
Maryland Fishing Report – July 1
This happy angler pulled in a keeper-sized striped bass that was destined for the dinner table. Photo by Travis Long
This weekend marks the 250th anniversary of the United States and family gatherings, vacations, and fishing with family and friends will be a large part of the celebration. July 4 is a license-free fishing day throughout Maryland, so if you have a friend or relative who doesn’t currently fish, take them out with you.
Board of Public Works Approves $1.18 Million for Sports Fields, Recreational Courts, and Playgrounds in Six Maryland Counties
Funding approved for DNR’s Program Open Space, Local Parks and Playgrounds Infrastructure, and Community Parks and Playgrounds programs
The Department of Natural Resources helps Maryland communities access funds for playgrounds, sports facilities, parks, and other outdoor access points. Maryland DNR photo.
The Board of Public Works today approved more than $1.18 million in grants from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to local governments for sports fields and courts and playgrounds in Allegany, Calvert, Dorchester, Frederick, Garrett, and Washington counties. Read more…
Maryland State Trails Open to Pedal-Assist E-Bikes Limited to 20 mph
Maryland Department of Natural Resources photo
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has approved new regulations to allow some pedal-assist e-bikes on multi-use trails on public lands across the state.
Under the new regulations, Class 1 pedal-assist e-bikes — those that provide motorized assistance up to 20 miles per hour — are cleared for use on public lands. The approved regulation was published in the Maryland Register in May and is now in effect.
The change is meant to welcome new user groups to public trails in state parks and boost options for those with mobility issues, while maintaining trail safety and environmental protections. Read more…
NRP’s Operation Dry Water Takes Aim at Boating Under the Influence During Independence Day Weekend
Boaters should expect to see more police on the water and increased vessel safety checks to prioritize the safety of boaters who spend the holiday afloat.
NRP will conduct high-visibility patrols, safety checks and enhanced enforcement efforts statewide this holiday weekend. Maryland DNR photo.
This Independence Day weekend, the Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) will increase boating enforcement patrols and target impaired boaters across the state during one of the busiest boating weekends of the summer.
Participating in Operation Dry Water for the 18th year, NRP will conduct high-visibility patrols and enhanced enforcement efforts statewide to remove impaired boat operators from Maryland’s waterways during the three-day campaign, July 3–5. Read more…
Maryland DNR Offers Special Edition MD250 Hard Card for Sale in Honor of America’s 250th Birthday
This year the Maryland Department of Natural Resources is offering a new, special edition hard card for fishing, hunting, and boating licenses that honors the state’s wildlife and outdoor history in honor of the United States’ 250th birthday. The new card is available for license holders to purchase on the MD Outdoors licensing website.
The artwork on the card features a landscape of marshes and fields filled with pheasants, flying geese, ducks, striped bass, blue crabs, a squirrel, and a rabbit. In the center is the outline of an oyster with an image of working watermen.
The image is a relic of Maryland’s past. It served as the frontispiece for the Maryland Conservationist magazine between 1924 and 1947. Maryland Conservationist was the official magazine of Maryland Conservation Department’s Game Division, a predecessor of today’s Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Read more…
Maryland Announces New Regional Forestry Board Structure, Seeks Local Volunteers
Members of the Forestry Board plant tulip poplars in Tawes Garden after the March state-wide meeting. Photo by Sam Crane/DNR
The Department of Natural Resources and the Maryland Forestry Foundation are inviting Marylanders to join their local Forestry Boards following a statewide update to Maryland’s longstanding Forestry Board network.
Originally established under state law in 1943, Maryland’s Forestry Boards have helped connect communities to forest stewardship for more than 80 years. In spring 2026, DNR updated the Forest Conservancy District Board structure by organizing districts regionally rather than by county. The new regional structure strengthens coordination across shared landscapes and watersheds while preserving county Forestry Boards as the primary local connection for volunteers, landowners, and communities. Read more…
Celebrate America 250 at Maryland State Parks with Fun Events Planned All Weekend
Maryland parks are hosting a variety of special events during the week of July 4 to mark the nation’s 250th birthday celebration, including a tree planting, bike parade, historical reenactments, and kids crafts.
With parks open on Independence Day, Marylanders can start a new tradition by hiking, learn more about our nation’s history by visiting park exhibits, or have a patriotic picnic.
July 4 is a license-free fishing day. Any individual may catch and possess finfish for recreational purposes in any tidal and nontidal waters of Maryland. All anglers must follow current regulations, including size and catch limits found in the department’s fishing and crabbing guide.
Additional Maryland State Parks Requiring Day-Use Reservations; New Entrance Technology Starting This Weekend
Day-use reservations are now required on weekends and holidays at Gunpowder Falls (Hammerman Area), Greenbrier State Park, Point Lookout State Park, Newtowne Neck State Park, North Point State Park, Rocks State Park’s Kilgore Falls area, Rocky Gap State Park, Sandy Point Park, and Swallow Falls State Park through Labor Day.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources continues to expand its reservation and park entrance system to prevent long entrance lines, traffic backups, and unexpected capacity closures on busy weekends and holidays.
Beginning June 26, Fair Hill Natural Resource Management Area is implementing a QR code-based payment system, in which visitors scan a QR code on signage to pay their day-use fee online. An honor box will remain in place for those who need to pay cash. Reservations are not required at Fair Hill.
Maryland Department of Natural Resources Gives Young Largemouth Bass a Head Start
Tidal Bass Program increases recreational opportunities through stocking efforts
Each spring, Department of Natural Resources biologists collect largemouth bass from the Potomac River to spawn at the Joseph Manning Hatchery at Cedarville State Forest. Maryland DNR photo
Since the early 1980s, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has stocked more than six million largemouth bass in tidal rivers. This initiative aims to supplement established populations and enhance opportunities for Maryland anglers.
Tidal bass fishing is important to Maryland recreationally and economically, as each year DNR permits more than 400 tournaments for anglers to pursue black bass (the genus to which largemouth bass belong).
The stocking effort is an ongoing, year-long effort that is paid for by state fishing license fees.
The process begins each April with the collection of broodstock, followed by the release of young fish at different life stages into tidal rivers from May through early November. Read more…
Maryland Fishing Report – June 24
It is summertime in Maryland and families are enjoying vacations now that school is out and the Maryland outdoors invites anglers of all ages to enjoy fishing together.
Young Ella Hoenke gets some help holding on to a large red drum for a quick picture that she caught and released at Assateague Island. Photo by Kurt Hoenke
Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ New Giveaway Offers Chance to Win Free Blue Catfish Charter Fishing Trip
‘Reel in the Blues Bonanza’ is now open for entries
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is giving away 100 free Chesapeake Bay blue catfish charter or guided fishing trips valued at up to $1,500 each. The trips will harvest blue catfish, an invasive fish in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
From June 24 through July 13, anyone 18 or older can enter using a simple online form (limit one entry per person) for a chance to win a premier summer or fall fishing experience to catch these invasive predators.
DNR will randomly draw 100 winners from all entries. Winners will be responsible for contacting a participating captain or guide to coordinate their free trip. A winner may bring up to the number of guests allowed by the capacity of their chosen charter. The free trip includes fees for charter and mate tips. Read more…
Maryland Conservation Corps Class of 2025-26 Graduates 17 Members
Graduates, mentors, and crew leads attend the 2026 Maryland Conservation Corps Graduation Ceremony at Sandy Point State Park. Photo by Rachael Pacella/Maryland Department of Natural Resources
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources honored 17 members of the 2025-26 Maryland Conservation Corps (MCC) during their graduation program at Sandy Point State Park. The June 23 ceremony capped the members’ completion of 9.5 months of job training, conservation work, and stewardship with the Maryland Park Service.
The Maryland Conservation Corps began in 1984, and a decade later became one of the first programs funded by AmeriCorps. Following a sudden budget cut to AmeriCorps by the federal government in 2025, MCC has operated in partnership with the Department of Service and Civic Innovation Maryland Corps/Service Year Option. Read more…
Maryland Communities Can Access New Federal Funding Opportunities for Parks and Recreation Grants
Developing outdoor recreation space in urban and underserved areas can be supported by the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program. Maryland DNR photo.
The National Park Service recently announced new grants for parkland acquisition and development of recreational amenities for which Maryland counties, municipalities, and state agencies may apply through the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
The Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program provides 50/50 matching grants for park projects in urban areas with a population of 25,000 or more, with a preference for projects in low-income communities. Grants range from $300,000 to $15,000,000 and project applications are due to the state by September 1, 2026. Read more…
Roots for Resilience Initiative Grants $4.5 Million for Living Shoreline Projects, Protecting Bay Communities and Habitats
A low marsh in Dorchester County. DNR photo
Roots for Resilience, a Maryland Department of Natural Resources initiative to support climate adaptation on the Eastern Shore, has approved seven grants totaling more than $4.5 million to protect large areas of healthy saltmarsh habitat.
These living shoreline projects will protect coastal areas and islands from shoreline erosion, providing a buffer for local communities and securing habitat for migratory birds like the saltmarsh sparrow and other sensitive wildlife species. The awarded projects include work that will specifically protect an important roadway and an outdoor space to support veterans.
The construction of these living shorelines will contribute to the Roots for Resilience goal of protecting 400 acres of high-quality marsh habitat by 2029.
A living shoreline uses nature-based erosion control techniques, such as marsh plantings, coir logs, sills, and breakwaters, to stabilize shorelines while maintaining natural coastal processes to ensure future resilience. These approaches reduce erosion and flooding, protect infrastructure, lower long-term costs, support working waterfronts, and strengthen coastal adaptation to sea level rise.
“These projects are ideally suited for the Roots for Resilience initiative, designed for the vulnerable communities of the Eastern Shore,” DNR Secretary Josh Kurtz said. “The shared goals of protecting people and habitats are vitally connected. These living shoreline projects demonstrate how solutions work best when we work with nature to benefit local communities.” Read more…
Maryland Natural Resources Police Report: Spring 2026
A Maryland Natural Resources Police officer inspects a turkey hunter in Somerset County during the spring turkey hunt. Police conducted surveillance for illegal baiting of turkeys and charged numerous people statewide. Maryland DNR photo.
The Maryland Natural Resources Police took action on alleged violations of criminal and natural resource laws from April through May of this year. During the spring months, individuals were charged for violations including illegal hunting, weapons charges, fishing violations, littering on state lands, crimes on public lands, and other offenses.
NRP officers also conducted successful search and rescue operations of hikers and boaters. Read more…
Board of Public Works Approves $1.2 Million for Park Land, Trail Improvements, and Communication Boards in Three Maryland Counties
Board also approves $9.73 million in Program Open Space Stateside funds for protection of more than 1,100 acres
Among today’s approvals is a 200-acre addition to Warrior Mountain Wildlife Management Area to expand public recreation opportunities. Maryland DNR photo.
The Board of Public Works today approved more than $1.2 million in grants from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to local governments for parkland acquisition, trail improvements, and new recreational communication boards in Prince George’s, Somerset, and St. Mary’s counties. Read more…
Maryland Fishing Report – June 17
This happy angler holds up a keeper-sized striped bass caught in the Kent Narrows area. Photo by Craig Roberts
Maryland anglers are enjoying a wide range of fishing opportunities this week. Striped bass anglers are having a good week in all regions of the Chesapeake Bays, freshwater anglers are finding a variety of fish, and the fishing action at Ocean City is pleasing vacationers and locals.
This weekend marks the first day of summer and the longest day of the year – Sunday, June 21. More daylight hours and warmer temperatures can be great for outdoor recreation, but it’s important to protect our natural resources so we can enjoy them for many summers to come.
The Striped Bass Summer Fishing Advisory Forecast is an awareness campaign aimed to reduce striped bass mortality from catch-and-release fishing in hot weather.
The Department of Natural Resources will monitor temperature forecasts and issue a general recommendation for each day of the coming week.
DNR Seeks New Nominations for Prestigious Admiral of the Chesapeake Bay Award
Maryland DNR Secretary Josh Kurtz and Governor Wes Moore present Professor Thomas Miller with the 2025 ‘Admiral of the Chesapeake Bay’ Award in the governor’s office. Photo by Polly Irungu, Office of the Governor.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is once again hosting a public nomination process for the Admiral of the Chesapeake Bay Award this year and is now accepting new nominations for potential awardees.
Instituted by Governor J. Millard Tawes in 1959, the admiral is a lifetime achievement award bestowed by the governor upon individuals who exhibit an extraordinary commitment to the conservation and restoration of the Chesapeake Bay.
DNR is looking for nominees who have dedicated their careers to organizing communities, leading restoration efforts, deepening our understanding of Bay science, or otherwise helping to improve the overall health of the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed. Read more…
Flood Reduction and Restoration Projects Throughout Maryland Funded with $690,000
A newly constructed living shoreline on Tilghman Island with vented marsh sill and oyster structures protects a tidal wetland and adjacent community infrastructure from coastal flood impacts. Maryland DNR photo by Maggie Cavey.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources awarded competitive grants for nine flood reduction and restoration projects to help communities plan and design solutions to withstand flooding and other weather-related events.
The selected projects will reduce risk for vulnerable communities, incorporate changing environmental conditions into existing plans and policies, and develop nature-based or natural solutions to help manage flooding and erosion.
Funding is provided by the state’s Resilience Through Restoration Initiative and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Following eight years as a pilot program, the Resilience through Restoration Initiative was successfully codified through 2026 legislation, transforming it into a permanent fixture for protecting communities from flooding, erosion and storm events. Read more…
Maryland DNR Seeks Charter Boat Captains and Guides to Participate in Blue Catfish Program
The Reel in the Blues Bonanza will pay guides and captains to fulfill blue catfish trip giveaways
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is offering Maryland charter boat captains and guides up to $1,500 per trip to take winners of the Reel in the Blues Bonanza on chartered trips during the summer and fall of 2026.
To participate, captains or guides must fill out an interest form by June 22. The purpose of this giveaway is to remove blue catfish from the Chesapeake Bay, empower people to harvest this invasive fish species, and support the charter boat and guided fishing trip industry.
DNR will announce an opportunity for the public to be randomly picked to receive free Chesapeake Bay blue catfishing trips beginning June 24, 2026. Information about how to enter to win one of the charter trips will be publicized on the DNR website, through email, and on social media.
Winners will receive a list of participating captains and guides to contact operators directly to schedule trips. Qualified captains or guides who are chartered by winners will be reimbursed by DNR for up to $1,500 per trip within 30 days. This amount may be above the normal cost of a charter or guided trip, but it also includes a tip for mates. Read more…
Watershed Education and Stewardship Grants Support Programming in Anne Arundel, Charles, and Prince George’s Counties
Funded by a previous grant, Anacostia Watershed Society partnered with Prince George’s County Public Schools to engage middle and high school students in hands-on mussel restoration work and education. Students learned about local watershed health and mussel biology. Maryland DNR photo.
Two Maryland organizations will receive support for education and stewardship programming to enhance environmental education in the state.
Outdoor education and stewardship funding is made possible from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Chesapeake Bay Implementation Grant. Specific amounts will be contingent upon federal funding availability and approval. Read more…
Community Parks and Playgrounds Program to Invest $5 Million in Local Outdoor Recreation for Fiscal Year 2027
DNR also currently accepting applications for FY28 Community Parks and Playgrounds funding; virtual workshops scheduled June 23 and July 23
Maryland Department of Natural Resources photo
Gov. Wes Moore’s Fiscal Year 2027 budget includes $5 million in Community Parks and Playgrounds grant funds for 26 projects in municipalities across 15 counties.
This competitive grant program managed by the Department of Natural Resources provides funding to municipal governments to rehabilitate, expand, or improve existing parks; create new parks; or purchase and install playground equipment. Read more…
Governor Wes Moore Announces $31.5 Million for Ecological Restoration Projects to Improve Water Quality in Local Waterways and the Chesapeake Bay
Natural Lands Project. Photo Courtesy of Dan Small
Governor Wes Moore today announced the Maryland Department of Natural Resources is awarding $31.5 million in grants from the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund for 25 ecological restoration projects encompassing 188 sites throughout the state that will improve water quality and wildlife habitats.
“The Chesapeake Bay is the centerpiece of our tourism and seafood industries in Maryland,” said Governor Moore. “It’s a key part of our cultural identity and the place where countless family memories are made. These new investments represent our commitment to continuing to improve the Bay, its surrounding watershed, and the rivers and streams that connect our communities.” Read more…
Free Pumpout Adapter Kits Available to Maryland Boaters and Marinas
DNR develops free kit to help keep waters clean
Maryland DNR photo
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources Pumpout Grant Program is offering boat owners and marinas free pumpout adapter kits, which department staff developed to help boaters empty holding tanks securely at area pumpout stations.
The kit has a plastic adapter that screws into the existing waste discharge deck fitting on a boat, which is secured by a cam lock found on most pumpout hoses. The free kit also contains instructions, protective gloves, a storage tube, and a QR code to a list of pumpout stations in Maryland.
Maryland residents can request a pumpout adapter kit using an online form. Supplies are limited. Kits are provided with funding from U.S. Fish and Wildlife’s Clean Vessel Act Grant funding and the Maryland Waterway Improvement Fund. Read more…
Maryland Fishing Report – June 10
Jenna Barben was fishing in the lower Susquehanna when she caught this impressive Chesapeake Channa. Photo courtesy of Jenna Barben
There are plenty of fishing opportunities this week in Maryland waters from Ocean City surf to the cool waters of the western Maryland mountains.
Saturday, June 13 will be the second free fishing day this year where anglers over the age of 16 do not need a fishing license to legally fish in all of Maryland’s waters. July 4 will be the third and final day for anyone who does not have a fishing license to give fishing a try for the day. If you have a license, bring a friend!
As temperatures rise, the Striped Bass Summer Fishing Advisory Forecast is an awareness campaign aimed to reduce striped bass mortality from catch-and-release fishing in hot weather. The Department of Natural Resources will monitor temperature forecasts and issue a general recommendation for each day of the coming week.
Striped Bass Fishing Advisory (June 10 – June 16)
Maryland Landowners Encouraged to Become Certified Tree Farmers
Tree farmer Don Grove gives an overview during a tour of his farm sponsored by the University of Maryland Extension and supported by the Maryland DNR Forest Service. Photo by Sam Crane.
The Maryland Forest Service is encouraging landowners to become certified tree farmers to access resources to help them manage their land sustainably. The Forest Service is an official co-sponsor of the American Tree Farm System (ATFS), which certifies small sustainable tree farms and works to connect tree farm owners through events and education programs.
Landowners who own between 10 and 10,000 acres of forestland are eligible to participate in the program. Many join to protect their land’s long-term forest health, create a family legacy, access tax incentives, and market certified sustainable wood products. Read more…
Three Fishermen Earn FishMaryland Master Angler Award in May
Anglers from Somerset, Frederick, and Anne Arundel counties recognized
From left to right: Joshua Bernstein, Alex Gaillardo Perez, and George Cropper all achieved the Master Angler Milestone Award in May. DNR collage from submitted photos.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recognized George Cropper of Princess Anne, Joshua Bernstein of Frederick, and Alex Gaillardo Perez of Millersville with Master Angler Milestone Awards under the FishMaryland program in May 2026.
These men respectively are the 31st, 32nd, and 33rd anglers to achieve the highest milestone in the FishMaryland program since its inception in 2019. The award recognizes recreational anglers who catch 10 trophy-sized fish of different species in Maryland. Read more…
Secretary’s Message – We Are Opening More Doors to Maryland Natural Spaces
Secretary Josh Kurtz leads Gov. Wes Moore and Chesapeake Bay Foundation President and CEO Hilary Harp Falk on a 2024 tour of what is now Holly Beach Natural Resources Management Area. Maryland DNR photo.
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 profound history–and there is much more to come.
Maryland State Parks and Other Public Lands Expand Traffic Flow and Park Entrance Technology
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
Rocky Gap State Park is among the parks now taking reservations for weekends and holidays during the busy season to better manage traffic and assure visitors can access the park. Photo by Ranger Sarah Milbourne, Maryland DNR
NOTE: This announcements has been updated. 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 lines, traffic backups, and unexpected capacity closures on busy weekends and holidays.
Some of the parks have also experienced parking overflow issues that have impacted the surrounding community and limited visitors’ access.
Through this system, day-use reservations are currently required on weekends and holidays at Greenbrier, Point Lookout, Newtowne Neck, North Point, and Sandy Point State Parks, all of which introduced the system in 2025.
Additional state parks that are now accepting reservations for weekends and holidays include Gunpowder Falls State Park’s Hammerman beach area in Middle River, Rocky Gap State Park in Flintstone, Swallow Falls State Park in Oakland, and Rocks State Park’s Kilgore Falls area in Pylesville, all of which experience significant traffic backups or overflow parking issues during busy times.
Same-day reservations can be made if parks are not at capacity.
At these new locations, reservations will be required on weekends and holidays starting on the weekend of June 27 through Labor Day. Reservations can be made at parkdayuse.maryland.gov. Read more…
Maryland Forest Service’s Large-Scale Tree Planting Expands Riparian Buffer at Newtowne Neck State Park
Maryland Forest Service staff oversaw the planting of nearly 32,000 native seedlings at Newtowne Neck State Park in April. Freddy Bascom (left) was the Forest Service’s lead specialist for the project. Photo by Sam Crane, Maryland Department of Natural Resources
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 the riparian buffer, the area of trees and vegetation near the shoreline, from 100 to 300 feet in most areas.
Newtowne Neck is a 794-acre peninsula surrounded by Breton Bay, St. Clements Bay, and the Potomac River. The park’s seven miles of waterfront make buffer protection central to safeguarding Maryland’s waterways.
Riparian buffers intercept sediment and filter pollutants, including pesticides and fertilizers, before they reach the water. Tree roots stabilize banks and reduce erosion. The expanded buffer will also increase habitat and food sources for wildlife. Read more…
Maryland Fishing Report – June 3
John Green taught his grandson Gus Petrakis the finer points of catching yellow perch at Deep Creek Lake recently. Photo courtesy of John Green
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 is the perfect opportunity.
Children under 16 don’t need a license, so anytime is right for someone in their life to introduce them to the joys of fishing.
On June 13, there will be a free Chesapeake Channa (northern snakehead) fishing derby and outreach event, Snakes on the Dundee V, at Gunpowder Falls State Park and Dundee Creek Marina. Information about the derby can be found on the DNR website.
Striped Bass Fishing Advisory (June 3 – June 9)
Board of Public Works Approves $3.35 Million for Outdoor Recreation and Land Conservation in Four Maryland Counties
In the Anne Arundel South Rural Legacy Area, the county will acquire an easement to preserve a 136-acre farm, protecting more than 3,000 feet of stream buffers. Maryland DNR photo
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 County will receive funds to purchase 1.1acres of waterfront property to expand the Calvert Marine Museum campus. Potential future improvements may include a boardwalk extension and improving the greenspace for recreation and educational purposes.
Montgomery County will use its funds to improve Stonehedge Local Park by renovating the playground and basketball court and constructing a community garden.
In land conservation, $1.26 million of Rural Legacy program funding was approved to acquire permanent conservation easements in two Rural Legacy Areas. In the Anne Arundel South Rural Legacy Area, the county will acquire an easement to preserve a 136-acre farm, protecting more than 3,000 feet of stream buffers along Lyons Creek and its tributaries in the Middle Patuxent watershed. In the Mid-Maryland Washington Rural Legacy Area, the county will acquire an easement on 61 acres of agricultural and forested land. This easement will protect water quality by preserving 840 feet of forested stream buffers along tributaries to Marsh Run, a waterway that flows directly to the Potomac River. Read more…
Paddlefest Returns to Janes Island State Park June 6-7
An attendee paints on the water during Paddlefest 2024.
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 park offers visitors a unique opportunity to enjoy both the beauty and bounty of the Chesapeake Bay.
Paddlefest includes nine scheduled paddles, as well as events for non-paddlers – pontoon boat tours, kids crafts, an afternoon concert and s’mores in the evening. There is something for everyone at this family-friendly event, and paddles are open to kids, as long as they have an adult with them. A full schedule of Paddlefest events is available on the Department of Natural Resources website.