Natural Resources News
Treading Lightly: Recreation with Rare Species in Mind
By Sarah Witcher
Allegheny Woodrat, by NHP staff ecologist Megan Zagorski
With cooler fall weather comes some of the most popular times to get outside and enjoy our favorite forms of recreation. Whether that’s camping, hiking, biking, climbing, just parking at a scenic spot to watch the sunset,our activities can and do have a profound effect on the wildlife with whom we share Maryland’s natural resources. Many are aware of the famed “Leave No Trace Principles”, a beloved tenet of seven ideals for outdoor recreation. For those that keep protection of Maryland’s rarest species front of mind, the ideal low-impact recreation can go beyond Leave No Trace. Here are some tips from the staff at the Wild Acres Program on being the best, most responsible stewards as you explore wildlife outside your backyard habitats. Read more…
Fear-Busting Creepy Critters: Spiders
By Katy Gorsuch
“Bold Jumper” by Alex Andes-Gascon. Photo submitted to the 2019 DNR Photo Contest
Spiderwebs! Furry legs! The glint of multiple shining eyes!
It’s not difficult to see why spiders are so feared: they’re relatively small, possess an unsettling number of legs, and some are venomous to humans. They tend to lurk in dark and unused corners, which may contribute to our sense of alarm when we come into contact with them. But while avoiding harm and respecting animals’ personal space is always a good idea for the safety of both people and animals, understanding these “creepy” critters can give us a sense of appreciation for our native fauna. Read more…
Native Plant Profile: Ghost Flower
By Katy Gorsuch
Indian Pipe. Photo by Julie Bradbury
What’s pale like a mushroom, but has flowers like a plant? It isn’t a riddle, but if you happen to see this unusual and ghostly member of the plant kingdom while hiking you may feel that way.
Monotropa uniflora goes by many names; ghost flower, ghost or corpse plant, ghost pipe, or pipe plant, with some historic sources occasionally referring to it as ice plant. Most of the wildflower’s names refer to its white or pink-white color, or its pipe-like shape, although the name “ice flower” also refers to its delicate nature. John Gunn’s 1864 work Gunn’s New Family Physician notes: “The whole plant is a pure white, and so tender and succulent, that if handled and rubbed a little, it will melt or soften, almost like ice.” Read more…
Maryland’s Black Bear Activity Increases in Fall
Photo by Bob Geary, submitted to Maryland Department of Natural Resources Photo Contest.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources reminds residents that black bears are beginning a period of increased feeding activity in preparation for winter hibernation. As the leaves change and the weather cools, bears become more active as they search for food.
During this time, bears will travel across roads more frequently. They also can become more attracted to human-provided food sources and lose their natural fear of people, which can be dangerous for both people and bears. Read more…
Native Animal Profile: Eastern Whip-poor-will
By Katy Gorsuch
An Eastern Whip-poor-will in Howard County
Photo by Sue Muller via Maryland Biodiversity Project. A whip-poor-will’s plumage is described as “cryptic” camouflage, which means it is designed to hide the animal.
“Then, as he wended his way by swamp and stream and awful woodland, to the farmhouse where he happened to be quartered, every sound of nature, at that witching hour, fluttered his excited imagination,—the moan of the whip-poor-will from the hillside, the boding cry of the tree toad, that harbinger of storm, the dreary hooting of the screech owl, or the sudden rustling in the thicket of birds frightened from their roost.”
– Washington Irving, “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow”
One might think of owls and bats when the temperature turns chilly, but other wingéd nocturnal creatures are often overlooked by the public. Eastern whip-poor-wills, often stylized as whippoorwills, are a native member of the nightjar and nighthawk family of birds. While nightjars can be found on every continent of the world except Antarctica, the nighthawk portion of the family is found only in the Americas. The family Caprimulgidae to which nighthawks and nightjars belong is closely related to frogmouths and potoos, who both also exhibit the nocturnal habits and similar camouflage behaviors as their cousins. Read more…
Fall Wildlife Activity Increases Maryland Drivers’ Collision Risk
Photo by Matthew Doged, submitted to the 2016 Maryland Department of Natural Resources Photo Contest.
Deer mating season is right around the corner, and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources reminds motorists to be vigilant. The shortening of day length, called the photo period, triggers white-tailed deer breeding season. During this time, these deer travel across roads in often unpredictable patterns at all times of the day in search of a mate. Most wildlife species are also more active this time of year, as they search for food to prepare them for the coming winter. Read more…
Maryland Natural Resources Police Report: Summer 2024
Ofc. Charles Faith holds the antlers of an illegally-harvested 19-point whitetail deer in Frederick County. Maryland Department of Natural Resources photo.
The Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) issued various citations and made numerous arrests for violations of criminal and natural resource law this summer. Charges filed against individuals include overfishing, theft, weapons violations, spotlighting deer, various incidents at Maryland State Parks, and other crimes. Read more…
Fall Foliage Report – Week of Sept. 26, 2024
American beech, yellow birch, witch hazel and sugar maple leaves cover the streambed of Lostland Run in Potomac State Forest. Photo by Scott Campbell.
Trees in the Annapolis area are hesitating to show their colors this year, the result of a stressful drought-filled summer. Leaves are changing from green to yellow and brown, absent are the oranges and reds.
“It’s a slow or abbreviated fall foliage season in the Anne Arundel County area,” Natural Resources Planner and Forester Francis Smith said.
In Western Maryland, the fall foliage change has hit a subdued mid-point. Leaves are beginning to fall – make sure to leave the leaves so they can provide habitat for birds, insects, reptiles, turtles and frogs.
“Although not as widely vibrant as some years, sugar maples are still stealing the show with golden and orange tones,” said Melissa Nash, Garrett and Allegany Project Manager for the Maryland Forest Service. “Bright colors were visible along Meadow Mountain and New Germany Road this week in the area surrounding New Germany State Park and also along I-68.”
There is only minimal color change on the Eastern Shore near Assateague Island. Some dogwoods, sweetgums and maples have started to change.
Looking for something to do this weekend? Check out our Recreational Spotlight at the end of this report. Read more…
Monarchs in Motion – Scientists and Citizens Monitor the Butterfly’s Maryland Visit During its Spectacular Migration
A monarch butterfly lands on a milkweed. Maryland Department of Natural Resources photo.
Each year thousands of monarch butterflies flutter through Maryland on their migration to Mexico, but scientists have learned something shocking about their stay in the Old Line State – they are not getting enough to eat.
“As a hostess that embarrasses me because if you’re going to come to my house, I’m gonna feed you,” said Paula Becker, outreach ecologist with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
Becker said the vividly colored insects are globally endangered. While they are not listed as endangered in the United States, Becker said their population is dropping. Read more…
Maryland Fishing Report – September 25
Bluefish, photo by Travis Long
Little by little, summer is losing its grip on the Maryland landscape, with cooler nights and milder daytime temperatures. Fish feel it too, and they are feeding aggressively and putting on body stores for what lies ahead. A perfect example are the bluefish in the Chesapeake Bay that are large and fat.
Maryland’s Small Game and Wild Turkey Seasons Provide Abundant Fall Hunting Opportunities
Gray, red (piney), and eastern fox squirrels can be hunted in Maryland from September until February. Photo by Ranger Elena Gilroy, Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources reminds hunters that squirrel, rabbit, fall turkey, and other small game seasons are either underway or set to open in the coming weeks. Some of these species offer generous seasons and bag limits and are abundant throughout Maryland. Read more…
Fall 2024 Trout Stocking to Begin Across Maryland
Hatcheries are shifting towards stocking larger trout in response to angler input
Rainbow trout is among the species to be stocked in Maryland waters. Photo by Ranger Mark Spurrier, Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will begin fall trout stocking in early October as soon as water levels and temperatures are acceptable for trout.
Department crews will transport thousands of state hatchery-raised brown, golden rainbow, and rainbow trout and release them statewide in select creeks, rivers, lakes, and ponds.
The department is making changes to trout stocking in 2024 into 2025 in response to survey feedback from trout anglers as well as heat and drought-induced challenges faced at the hatcheries this past summer. DNR Fishing and Boating Services periodically surveys anglers and incorporates the results into the agency’s operations. Read more…
Maryland Hosts Inaugural Outdoor Recreation Summit in October
Photo by Susan Estes, submitted to Maryland Department of Natural Resources photo contest,
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will host the inaugural Outdoor Recreation Summit from October 9-11 at Rocky Gap Casino Resort in Allegany County. A series of engaging panels, presentations, and outdoor excursions will highlight experts in outdoor recreation. The event will also provide networking opportunities, and enable attendees to explore the beauty of Western Maryland in the fall.
Business owners, tourism professionals, outdoor enthusiasts, and students interested in outdoor recreation careers are encouraged to attend. Read more…
Maryland Fall Foliage Preview 2024
Welcome to the Maryland Fall Foliage Report for 2024. Fall officially begins on Sunday, September 22 at 8:44 a.m.
Many of Maryland’s trees are changing color earlier than usual this year due to drought. Marylanders can also expect to see more yellow and gold tones, and fewer reds and purples.
Forester Melissa Nash in Garrett County says leaves are two weeks ahead of schedule in Maryland’s westernmost jurisdiction, which is experiencing extreme drought.
“While we will still have a fall color display, I anticipate it may peak earlier than normal and we will see more muted colors and more yellow to golden tones as opposed to vibrant colors, again due to lack of moisture,” Nash says.
Following an extended dry spell, the sugar maples at the Potomac Garrett State Forest Headquarters produced a short lived burst of oranges and yellows before succumbing to gravity. Photo by Scott Campbell
Yellow and gold leaf colors are produced by carotenoid pigments, which are ever-present in the leaves and are therefore less dependent on weather conditions. Read more…
Maryland Fishing Report – September 18
Angler Timothy Smith Sr. caught this 30-inch Chesapeake Channa (aka northern snakehead) in Loch Raven Reservoir. Photo courtesy of Timothy Smith Sr.
September is a very special month in Maryland for anglers; the weather is pleasant, and water temperatures are slowly cooling. Fish everywhere – in the freshwater areas, the Chesapeake Bay, and the ocean waters – are becoming more active.
Chesapeake Channa Could Spawn More than Once a Year in Upper Bay, Maryland DNR Study Finds
Chesapeake Channa captured at the Conowingo Dam fish lift. Maryland Department of Natural Resources photo.
A study conducted by Maryland Department of Natural Resources Biologist Dr. Joseph Love illuminates one of the biological factors that could be contributing to Chesapeake Channa’s efficient spread through Maryland’s waters.
The study, published in the July 2024 edition of Northeastern Naturalist, found that the majority of female Chesapeake Channa, also known as northern snakehead, collected from the upper Chesapeake Bay carried eggs in two distinct sizes, suggesting those fish could spawn twice a year. Read more…
Sustainable Forest Management Public Discussion Scheduled at Pocomoke River State Park
Chesapeake Forest Lands, Maryland Department of Natural Resources photo.
The Maryland Forest Service invites the public to a question-and-answer session about sustainable state forest management on the Eastern Shore from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. October 16 at the Manokin Pavilion in Pocomoke River State Park.
Staff will share information on the Forest Service’s sustainable forest management plan and facts about Pocomoke State Forest and Chesapeake Forest Lands. Topics of interest will also include forest management, the planning process, timber harvesting, old growth forest, sustainable forest certification, and more. Read more…
‘Women on the Water’ Fishing and Boating Workshop Offered September 26
Photo by James Mackey/ DNR
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is hosting “Women on the Water,” a free introductory workshop on boating and fishing for women and girls aged 12 and older, at Seneca Creek State Park on Sept. 26 from 4 to 7 p.m.
New or returning boaters and anglers can receive information about boating education and opportunities, followed by fishing instruction. Department staff will provide fishing gear for use and teach the basics of fish identification, rigging a rod, and casting techniques. Read more…
Maryland Fishing Report – September 11
Young Nathan Moyer recently got to fish the Conowingo Dam pool for the first time and caught his largest fish to date, a striped bass, all possible thanks to a dad who took him. Photo by Chris Moyer
Fishing is often about the adventure of exploring a new place to fish, or the challenge of fishing for a new species, and it always helps when you have the company of family or friends.
Landon Derbyshire of Eden, Maryland recently became became the 13th FishMaryland Master Angler and only the second youth angler to reach that milestone. He caught all the qualifying species of trophy fish before his sixteenth birthday. Congratulations to Landon!
Board of Public Works Approves Western Maryland Property and Savage River Lodge Purchase to Expand Western Maryland State Park Amenities
The main lodge at Savage River Lodge in Garrett County. Credit: Sarah Milbourne/ Maryland DNR
News from the Office of Gov. Wes Moore
ANNAPOLIS, MD—Governor Wes Moore today presided over a meeting where the Board of Public Works approved the purchase of an exceptional 42-acre lodge property surrounded by Savage River State Forest in Garrett County. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources was approved to purchase the property—which also includes cabin and yurt facilities—and will expand overnight accommodations in an area where amenities are in high demand.
“Bringing the Savage River Lodge property into public ownership will bolster Maryland’s leadership in conservation and provide better access to the great outdoors for all Marylanders,” said Gov. Moore. “This is an opportunity to invite more people to visit one of our state’s truly beautiful regions and protect this land for generations to come.”
Board of Public Works Approves $4 Million for Park Improvements and Land Conservation
A blue heron catches a fish for breakfast on Spencer Creek near St. Michaels. Credit: J. Scott Bruce/ Maryland DNR
Funding approved for DNR’s Program Open Space Local, Community Parks and Playgrounds, and Rural Legacy programs
The Board of Public Works today approved Maryland Department of Natural Resources items totaling $4 million in grants to local governments and land trusts to improve parks and protect land with perpetual conservation easements.
A total of $1.3 million in Program Open Space – Local funds were approved for six projects including a grant to the Town of St. Michaels to acquire 5.9 acres along San Domingo Creek – adjacent to the St. Michaels Nature Trail and a short walk from downtown St. Michaels – to create a new waterfront park to be named San Domingo Creek Park. Program Open Space – Local provides funding for county and municipal governments for the planning, acquisition, and development of recreational land or facilities.
Maryland, Pennsylvania Natural Resources Secretaries Discuss Water Quality Goals, Potential Interstate Trail Connections at Joint Event
Maryland Department of Natural Resources Secretary Josh Kurtz and Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn shake hands at the state line. Photo by AJ Metcalf, Maryland Department of Natural Resources
Maryland Department of Natural Resources Secretary Josh Kurtz and Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn toured water quality projects and explored opportunities for new and improved trail connections at a joint event in Maryland and Pennsylvania on Tuesday.
The event also served as a way for the two state leaders to strengthen their partnership and recommit to shared goals to improve water quality in local streams, rivers, and the Chesapeake Bay. Read more…
New Maryland Clean Marinas Certified in Baltimore City, Anne Arundel, and Baltimore Counties
Three facilities meet standards to improve local water quality and help restore the Chesapeake Bay
Lighthouse Point Marina in Baltimore City is a certified Maryland Clean Marina; pictured are marina officials Matt Giorgi, Joel Schlossberg, and Ben Sesselman. Maryland DNR photo
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has certified Hartge Yacht Harbor of Galesville, Anne Arundel County; Tradewinds Marina of Middle River, Baltimore County; and Lighthouse Point Marina of Baltimore City as the newest Maryland Clean Marinas.
The department awards this designation to marinas that comply with all applicable regulatory requirements and voluntarily adopt a significant portion of recommended best practices in the Maryland Clean Marina Guidebook. There are now 147 certified Clean Marinas in Maryland, representing about 30% of the marinas in the state. Read more…
Land and Water Conservation Fund Awards $4.8 Million to Maryland Local Recreation Projects
A pavilion in Baltimore’s Leakin Park will be upgraded. Maryland Department of Natural Resources photo.
Five Maryland jurisdictions were recently awarded a combined $4.8 million in federal grant funding through the Land and Water Conservation Fund.
These funds will support diverse projects, including the development of a new park in Caroline County, the expansion of athletic facilities in Taneytown Memorial Park, and the refurbishment of a campground in Baltimore City. Together, these projects will expand Marylanders’ access to local outdoor recreation. Read more…
Maryland Outdoor Equity Grants Awarded to Four Projects Focused on Recreational Access and Inclusion
In July, Defensores de la Cuenca used tents and gear purchased with a Maryland Outdoor Equity Grant for a group camping trip at Assateague State Park, dubbed Playafest. Maryland Department of Natural Resources photo.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources launched a new pilot program this year that awarded $27,000 to four different outdoor recreation activities and opportunities in Maryland’s underserved communities. Read more…
Keep Maryland Beautiful Grant Applications Now Being Accepted
The Maryland Departments of Natural Resources, Transportation, and Agriculture, along with the Chesapeake Bay Trust, are partnering to accept applications for this year’s Keep Maryland Beautiful Grants program. About $327,000 is available for this year’s grant round.
These grants are offered annually to volunteer groups, nonprofit organizations, communities, and land trusts in Maryland to support environmental education projects, community stewardship, and the protection of natural resources in urban and rural areas. Applications for funding will be accepted from September 6 through November 15. Awards will be announced in March 2025. Read more…
Youth Angler from Wicomico County Becomes 13th FishMaryland Master Angler
Landon Derbyshire is the second youth angler to earn the Master Angler Milestone award
Landon Derbyshire, 13th FishMaryland Master Angler, holds a red drum caught and released near Crisfield on Sep 2, 2023. Photo by Chris Derbyshire, used with permission by Maryland DNR.
Landon Derbyshire of Eden, Maryland, has earned a Master Angler Milestone Award under the Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ FishMaryland program.
Derbyshire is the 13th Master Angler since the program began in 2019 and the second youth angler to win the award, having met his qualifications at age 15. The award recognizes recreational anglers who catch ten trophy-sized fish of different species in Maryland. Read more…
Marylanders Get Prepared for the 2024-25 Deer Hunting Season
Mentored hunts are a great way to introduce new or novice hunters to the sport. Annual opportunities are available at the Patuxent Research Refuge and Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge. Department of Natural Resources photo.
As temperatures cool, beach towns get less crowded, and classrooms fill with children, the end of the summer season marks the beginning of another–deer hunting season in Maryland.
Outdoors enthusiasts and hunters alike set their sights on the first Friday after Labor Day – the official kick-off of deer archery season. With burly whitetails in the Western Maryland mountains to exotic sika in the marshes of the Eastern Shore, plentiful opportunities await those wishing to stock their freezer with venison for the winter.
Secretary’s Message – Spend Fall Afield in Maryland
Sec. Josh Kurtz bagged a goose during a hunting trip in Maryland during the 2023 goose season. Maryland Department of Natural Resources photo.
The lush summer greenscape all around us is soon to give way to the glow of autumn. While we know warm weather will be lingering for some time, we can already feel the brisk breezes of fall in the evening air.
We are entering a great time to visit the majestic vistas of Maryland, walk in the comfortable cool of a forest path, spot the varied species of birds that inhabit our woods, and generally enjoy the change of seasons.
For many in Maryland, fall is the best time for hunting, a valued part of our state’s culture and heritage. The sport provides enjoyable outdoor recreation for participants, helps manage our wildlife populations, and creates economic benefits throughout Maryland. The major seasons begin in September with various migratory game bird hunts and the opening of archery hunting for deer. Read more…
Maryland Fishing Report – September 4
Jeremy Clark holds up a beautiful northern pike he caught in Deep Creek Lake. Photo by James Clark
Glorious September is here, and although summer will sweep her hand across Maryland a few times before it is all over, we can all look forward to more comfortable weather. Water temperatures will begin to cool also and fishing in general will shift into high gear.
Maryland 2024 Black Bear Hunt Lottery Results Announced
Photo by by Nathaniel Peck, submitted to the Maryland DNR Photo Contest.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has drawn the lottery for the 2024 Maryland Black Bear Hunt.
A total of 950 lottery entrants were randomly selected and will receive a permit valid for the six-day bear hunting season open from October 21-26, 2024 in Allegany, Frederick, Garrett, and Washington counties. Entrants can check the lottery results webpage for their DNR ID number. Read more…
Spanish-Language Outreach on Safety and Stewardship Expands Access, Earns National Recognition
“Splash” the water safety dog joins a Hispanic Heritage Month celebration at Sandy Point State Park. Maryland DNR photo.
For many years, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recognized a disparity in relating laws, regulations, and safety information to one of the fastest-growing communities enjoying the outdoors. Spanish-speaking residents faced multiple barriers to access at the parks, particularly with customer service and community programming.
In 2016, DNR launched its program, Es Mi Parque – Spanish for “It’s My Park” – to better connect the Maryland Park Service to visitors of Hispanic descent, and for Natural Resources Police to more effectively communicate with an important constituency. The department has also created a full Spanish version of its online licensing system.
And today, Maryland is recognized as one of the first states in the country to produce its boating regulations in both English and Spanish.
“It’s important to reach all of our cultural communities in Maryland when it comes to boating safety,” Department of Natural Resources Secretary Josh Kurtz said. “Our agency has made it a priority to effectively engage with our Spanish-speaking population, and our outreach continues to provide a wealth of information to the Hispanic and Latino community interested in safely enjoying our state’s natural resources.”
Montgomery County Angler Catches First Maryland State Record Yellowedge Grouper
The 38.0-pound grouper caught in the Atlantic Ocean is only 10 pounds short of the world record.
Jian Feng Li, center, caught the new Maryland state record yellowedge grouper from an Ocean City charter boat. Photo by Gary Tyler, Maryland Department of Natural Resources
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recognizes Jian Feng Li of Silver Spring as the first state record holder for yellowedge grouper (Caulolatilus microps) in the Atlantic division.
Li caught the 38.0-pound, 43-inch fish on August 27 while fishing in Poorman’s Canyon off Ocean City. He was deep-dropping with false albacore strips for bait and was using a hand-cranked conventional reel. Read more…
Protecting the Chesapeake Bay, One Stream at a Time
Stream restoration projects like Cattail Creek offer multifaceted benefits to watersheds and ecosystems
The stream restoration at Cattail Creek uses rocks and plants to reinforce the stream channel. As their roots take hold, plants can help maintain the structure for the long term, DNR officials say. Photo by Joe Zimmermann/DNR
To Bob Royer, the heron that was stalking in the shallow water around a bend in Cattail Creek was a sign of promise.
For one thing, it meant there were fish. But together with the red-winged blackbirds overhead, the buzzing dragonflies, and the water celery that rippled in the stream’s current, the gangly waterbird looking for lunch was evidence of a natural system that was back to work.
“All it takes is little areas of reworking the landscape, and look what it wanted to be,” said Royer, the president of the Berrywood Community Association Environmental Committee. “It wanted to be a wetland.”
Read more…
Anne Arundel County Angler Catches Maryland State Record Blueline Tilefish
Record 20.6-pound fish reeled in from depths of Poorman’s Canyon off Ocean City
Angler London J. Anthony (holding fish) caught this state record blueline tilefish off Ocean City. Photo courtesy London Anthony.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recognizes London J. Anthony of Pasadena as a new state record holder for blueline tilefish (Caulolatilus microps) in the Atlantic division.
Anthony caught the 20.6-pound, 37.25-inch fish on August 24 while fishing in Poorman’s Canyon off Ocean City. He was deep-dropping with a cut ballyhoo chunk bait using a hand-cranked conventional reel. Read more…
Archery Deer Hunting in Maryland Opens September 6
Bowhunting opportunities continue into February
Photo by Mary Pat Bozel, submitted to the 2021 Maryland DNR Photo Contest.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources will open the archery hunting season for white-tailed and sika deer on Sept. 6. The season runs intermittently through Jan. 31, 2025.
Archers may use vertical longbows and vertical recurve bows Feb. 1 and Feb. 3-4, 2025 during the third annual Primitive Deer Hunt Days. Hunters should consult the 2024-2025 Maryland Guide to Hunting and Trapping for specific dates and closures in their region. Read more…
Board of Public Works Approves More Than $10.6 Million for Park Improvements and Land Conservation
Funding approved for several DNR programs
Deer Creek Rural Legacy Area in Harford County. Maryland Department of Natural Resources photo.
The Board of Public Works on Aug. 28 approved Maryland Department of Natural Resources items totaling more than $10.6 million in grants to local governments and land trusts to improve parks and protect land with perpetual conservation easements. Read more…
Maryland Fishing Report – August 28
Hopefully, all our crabbers are as lucky as John Turrall and catch a mess of jumbo hard crabs that are large and full of meat. Photo by Rich Watts
Labor Day is upon us and September is on the horizon, promising cooler weather and excellent fishing and crabbing. There will be many crab feasts scheduled for families and friends across Maryland this weekend and recreational crabbers will go out on the water to provide the crabs.
Governor Moore Honors Rural Legacy Program for 25 Years of Conservation Success
More than 125,000 acres permanently preserved throughout Maryland
Photo by Patrick Siebert, Maryland Office of the Governor
Maryland’s Rural Legacy Program is celebrating 25 years of active land preservation across the state this year. Since its inception, the program and its partners have protected more than 125,000 acres of ecologically valuable properties, productive farms, and forests, representing a public investment of more than $405 million.
In recognition of this milestone, Governor Wes Moore presented a Citation to Maryland Department of Natural Resources Secretary Josh Kurtz during today’s Board of Public Works meeting. Read more…
Maryland’s Outdoor Learning Partnership Accepting Applications for Representatives
Maryland Department of Natural Resources photo
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources and Maryland State Department of Education are accepting member applications to participate as representatives in the Maryland Outdoor Learning Partnership.
Established by Governor Wes Moore’s Executive Order on April 22, 2024, the Outdoor Learning Partnership is a new interagency collaboration that includes state agencies, federal partners, nonprofit environmental and outdoor education organizations, and formal education partners.
The Partnership, which absorbed the former Project Green Classrooms program, is charged with empowering all of Maryland’s youth to grow as environmental stewards that access, conserve, and restore our natural resources to ensure a climate-ready Maryland. Read more…
Maryland Agriculture, Natural Resources Secretaries Make Stop on Ice Cream Trail after Hike
Trip highlights opportunities to enjoy farm-fresh Maryland ice cream after hiking at a state park or natural resource management area
Secretary Atticks and Secretary Kurtz hike the trail at Monocacy Natural Resources Area. Maryland Department of Natural Resources photo.
Today, Maryland Department of Agriculture Secretary Kevin Atticks and Department of Natural Resources Secretary Josh Kurtz visited Rocky Point Creamery in Tuscarora after hiking a trail at the Monocacy Natural Resources Management Area in Dickerson as part of an end-of-summer event to highlight the Maryland’s Best Ice Cream Trail.
The Maryland’s Best Ice Cream Trail is designed to promote the state’s dairy industry by linking consumers with local on farm creameries using Maryland made ingredients. This year the Department of Agriculture partnered with the Department of Natural Resources to highlight hikes located near Ice Cream Trail stops.
Maryland’s Greenspace Equity Program Funds Outdoor Access for Communities in Need
Maryland DNR photo
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has launched the new Greenspace Equity Program, which provides grant funding to land trusts, nongovernmental organizations, and local governments to acquire and develop public greenspaces in overburdened and underserved communities. Applications are being accepted through Nov. 1.
The goal of the program is to enhance the public health and livability of overburdened and underserved communities by implementing projects to preserve, create, and improve public greenspace in those communities. Read more…
Chesapeake Bay Hypoxia Report – Early Summer 2024
Dissolved oxygen conditions show improvement in late June and July
Data collected by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and Old Dominion University show a higher than average volume of hypoxia—waters with less than 2 mg/l oxygen—in the Chesapeake Bay mainstem of Maryland and Virginia in early June, that improved to less than average size in late June though late July. Read more…
Natural Resources Come Alive at the 2024 Maryland State Fair
Fairgoers can look for signs like this one, pointing to the Maryland DNR exhibit hall at Miller-Mosner Building. Photo by Dawn Webb/Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources and partners will bring displays, exhibits, and fun activities about blue catfish, campsites, hunting, and more to the Maryland State Fair in Timonium.
Fairgoers are invited to visit the exhibits located inside the Mosner Miller Building at the fairgrounds to engage with field experts and learn more about fishing, hunting, wildlife, and recreational opportunities in Maryland’s state forests, parks, and other public lands. Read more…
Maryland NRP Officers Recognized for Enforcement of Impaired Boating Laws
The Operation Dry Water Awards Program recognizes law enforcement officers and agencies that are making a positive impact on boating under the influence. Maryland DNR photo.
Two Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) officers are nominated by department leadership for national recognition for their work enforcing impaired boating laws this summer.
During Independence Day weekend, Natural Resources Police took part in the national Operation Dry Water heightened enforcement effort. From July 4-6, NRP officers made nine Operating While Under the Influence of Alcohol (OUI) arrests and responded to nine boating accidents.
Maryland Migratory Game Bird Hunting Seasons Begin for 2024-2025
Mourning dove, early resident Canada goose seasons start Sept. 2
Photo by Ellen Mooney, submitted to the Maryland DNR Photo Contest.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has announced the state’s 2024-2025 migratory game bird hunting seasons, the first of which begin Sept. 2. Bag limits, season dates, and shooting hours can be found in the 2024-2025 Maryland Guide to Hunting and Trapping. Read more…
Maryland Fishing Report – August 21
James Crosby got a little help from his friends during his battle with this huge bigeye tuna. Photo courtesy of James Crosby.
Fishing is always better in the company of family or friends, and when an angler is successful and has their friends to cheer them on and offer encouragement it makes all the difference when battling a fish of mammoth proportions.
Public Asked to Report Marine Mammal and Turtle Sightings and Strandings Online or by Phone
Hotline or online form available; reports contribute data to marine science
Maryland Department of Natural Resources photo.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources asks residents and visitors enjoying coastal and tidal waterways to remain alert for marine mammals and sea turtles through the end of summer and early fall. Dolphins, manatees, sea turtles, whales, and other marine wildlife are regular seasonal visitors to the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries, the Atlantic Ocean, and coastal bays.
Anyone who sees a marine mammal or sea turtle in Maryland waters is encouraged to report it via the Maryland Natural Resources Police Hotline, 800-628-9944, or use a simple online form to report deceased marine mammals or sea turtles. Anglers, boaters, and beachgoers should especially be on the lookout for stranded, dead, sick, injured, or entangled animals. Read more…
Maryland DNR Extends Photo Contest Deadline to August 26
Contest features higher cash prizes for first place winners
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is extending the deadline for submission to its 2024 Maryland Natural Resource Photo Contest. Photographers have until 5 p.m. on Aug. 26 to enter their photos into competition for cash prizes, State Park passes, and publication in DNR’s 2025 nature calendar.
The contest is judged by season: winter, spring, summer, and fall. First, second, and third place winners are selected for each seasonal category. A grand prize winner is selected from that group. The 2025 photo contest features higher cash prizes this year – $700 for the grand prize winner, and $100 for each seasonal first place winner. All first place winners receive a one-year Maryland State Park and Trail Passport. Read more…
Maryland Fishing Report – August 14
Lincoln Giordano was getting some fishing lessons from his grandfather recently when he caught two white perch on the same lure. It must have been a good lesson. Photo by Adam GiordanoThere is some very pleasant weather in the forecast, a relief from the heat we endured earlier this summer. Marylanders are making the most of what is left of summer with visiting relatives and especially grandparents.
Maryland’s portion of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries experienced unusually high tides last week, and the Conowingo Dam had several flood gates open. Conditions are beginning to return to more moderate flows but anglers fishing on the Bay and tidal rivers need to keep an extra watch for floating debris.
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