Natural Resources News
New MD Outdoors Licensing System Now Online
Photo by Tonia Quade, submitted to the 2015 Maryland DNR Photo Contest
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ new online licensing system, MD Outdoors, is now available for residents and visitors to purchase Maryland hunting and fishing licenses as well as associated stamps and permits, boat and off-road vehicle renewal registration, and other services.
MD Outdoors provides residents and visitors a convenient one-stop shop, replacing the former site COMPASS. Read more…
Community Parks and Playgrounds Program Now Accepting Applications for the Fiscal Year 2027 Grant Round
Maryland DNR photo
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is now accepting grant proposals for the FY 2027 Community Parks and Playgrounds program. The Community Parks and Playgrounds program provides flexible grants to municipal governments to rehabilitate, expand, or improve existing parks, create new parks, or purchase and install playground equipment. The proposals will be reviewed and considered for submission to the General Assembly as part of the Governor’s FY 2027 budget.
Governor Wes Moore’s FY 2026 budget included a total of $5 million for 26 projects across 15 counties. These projects include new pickleball courts in Cumberland, new playground equipment in Denton, Greensboro, Chesapeake City, Vienna, Mount Airy, Thurmont, Loch Lynn Heights, Rockville, Berwyn Heights, Williamsport, Salisbury and Ocean City, and pavilions, restrooms, lighting, and field improvements in other cities and towns. As the projects are ready, they will be presented to the Board of Public Works for approval.
Maryland Natural Resources Police Report: Spring 2025
NRP Underwater Operations Team members patrol the Severn River during the U.S. Navy Blue Angels flight demonstrations in May. Maryland DNR photo.
The Maryland Natural Resources Police took action on numerous violations of criminal and natural resource law from March through May. During those months, individuals were charged for violations including hunting out of season, baiting game animals, spotlighting deer, weapons charges, commercial oyster violations, and other crimes. Read more…
Maryland Fishing Report – June 18
Speckled trout are one of those species and Rexx Williamson caught and released this beautiful specimen. Photo Courtesy of Rexx Williamson
Maryland anglers are seeing some wonderful fishing opportunities this week as freshwater species settle into predictable patterns and an influx of summer marine species begin to move into Maryland waters.
Public Should Report Marine Mammal and Turtle Sightings and Strandings in Maryland to DNR
This humpback whale washed ashore on Assateague Island in summer 2024 and was investigated by Maryland DNR’s Stranding Response Program. Photo by Amanda Weschler, Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources asks residents and visitors enjoying coastal and tidal waterways to remain alert for marine mammals and sea turtles into summer through 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. So far in 2025, Maryland has reported a higher-than-average number of strandings.
The five-year average (2020–2024) for marine mammal strandings in Maryland from January to May was 10 cases. As of June, the stranding program has responded to 29 animals.
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…
Anne Arundel County Angler Breaks Maryland State Record for Chesapeake Channa
The record invasive fish, also known as northern snakehead, weighed 21.8 pounds
Matt Foreman of Crownsville holds the state record Chesapeake Channa, a 21.8-pound fish caught June 7, 2025. Photo courtesy Matt Foreman.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources recognizes Matt Foreman of Crownsville as the new state record holder for Chesapeake Channa— also known as northern snakehead (Channa argus) — in the state’s Invasive Division. Foreman caught the 21.8-pound fish on the evening of June 7 in the Susquehanna River below the Conowingo Dam.
It was a pleasant evening, with a light breeze, when Forman set out on a Working Class Outdoorsman charter, captained by Nick Mather. Foreman used a Vadersbow Saber X bow with a generic tip to catch his record-sized fish. The 26-foot aluminum vessel was outfitted with a custom lighting system to search for fish. Read more…
Maryland Natural Resources Police Annual Awards Ceremony Honors Officers for Exceptional Service
Officers were awarded for lifesaving action, conservation enforcement, and more
The Natural Resources Police Underwater Operations Team is awarded with a Unit Citation, recognizing the divers for their work in several incidents including their response to the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. Maryland DNR photo.
The Maryland Natural Resources Police held its annual award ceremony June 13 to recognize the achievements made by conservation law enforcement officers and professional staff in 2024. The officers were presented honors by Maryland Department of Natural Resources Sec. Josh Kurtz and Natural Resources Police Col. Orlando Lilly at Annapolis High School in Anne Arundel County.
“Our hardworking Natural Resources Police officers represent our department with the utmost professionalism and honor,” said Sec. Kurtz. “We recognize their accomplishments and honor those who went above and beyond so Marylanders can enjoy our state’s natural areas, resources, waterways, and lands safely and sustainable.” Read more…
Maryland Fishing Report – June 11
Maryland offers a wide variety of fishing opportunities, as this happy angler found on a party boat out of Ocean City, fishing for black sea bass. Photo by Monty Hawkins
One of the most wonderful things about fishing is that anyone can do it anytime and almost anywhere.
Board of Public Works Approves $3.2 Million for Construction of Trails and Park Facilities in Baltimore, Frederick, Prince George’s and Other Counties
Funding approved for DNR’s Program Open Space – Local
Program Open Space-Local grants can help communities develop outdoor recreation facilities like regional parks, athletic fields, and playgrounds. Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
The Board of Public Works today approved more than $3.2 million in grants to local governments from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to construct trails and park facilities in Allegany, Baltimore, Carroll, Cecil, Dorchester, Frederick, Prince George’s, Washington, and Worcester counties. Read more…
Maryland Department of Natural Resources Rolling out New Licensing System, MD Outdoors
Photo by Mark Rutt, submitted to the 2020 Maryland DNR Photo Contest.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources will introduce its new online licensing system, MD Outdoors, on June 24. This centralized system replaces the current system, COMPASS.
MD Outdoors will continue to offer products for all outdoor activities, including all Maryland hunting and fishing licenses and associated stamps and permits, boat and off-road vehicle renewal registration, and other services that will be available in this one convenient location. The system is designed to streamline the process of renewing licenses and permits as well as make it easier and more simple for new and returning customers.
Current license-holders will retain their DNR ID number; the new website will provide clear instructions on creating a new username and password for MD Outdoors, where customers can retrieve their account information. The new system includes auto-renew options, an easier-to-navigate interface, and an app that stores your license information, and can help direct people to new hunting and fishing opportunities. Other benefits and capabilities will be added in the future. Read more…
Maryland Board of Public Works Approves $4.3 Million to Promote Greenspace Equity Throughout Maryland
Maryland Department of Natural Resources photo
Board of Public Works has approved more than $4.3 million in grants to support 20 projects under the Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ Greenspace Equity Program.
These awards will benefit local governments, land trusts, and nonprofit organizations working to enhance green spaces in underserved communities across 14 counties. An additional $567,382 in grants for two projects will be presented to the BPW for approval at a future meeting.
Established by Maryland General Assembly legislation in 2023, the Greenspace Equity Program supports the creation, preservation, and improvement of public green spaces, enhancing the public health and community livability in overburdened and underserved communities. The Greenspace Equity legislation defines areas as overburdened if environmental health measures show they are affected by pollution sources at higher levels than other areas and underserved based on income levels and other indicators. Read more…
Secretary’s Message: Maryland State Parks Are Saving a Space For You
A ranger places the “open” sign at Point Lookout State Park. Maryland Department of Natural Resources photo.
Summer vacation season has arrived and millions of Marylanders are making plans to head for the great outdoors. Our public lands are ready to receive this annual influx with a little help from a logistical solution to a longstanding problem.
For many years, the popularity of our public lands presented issues to be resolved: People hoping to spend a day at certain state parks–mostly those that offer swimming opportunities when the weather warms–instead had to wait in line at the gate, and all too often were told they could not get in because the park had reached capacity. The resulting traffic backups were a significant inconvenience for park visitors, neighboring communities, and law enforcement.
To address this problem, the Maryland Park Service successfully rolled out a new reservation system for day-use visitors in May at the state parks that experienced the most capacity closures. The system debuted Memorial Day weekend at Sandy Point State Park in Anne Arundel County and Greenbrier State Park in Washington County and will begin taking reservations June 12 at North Point State Park in Baltimore County and Newtowne Neck and Point Lookout state parks in St. Mary’s County, for the Juneteenth holiday. Read more…
Maryland’s Freshwater Bass Scene Reels In Nationwide Tournaments
Professional angler Chad Pipkens hooks up at the 2022 Bassmaster Northern Open in the upper Chesapeake Bay on his way to an eighth-place finish. Photo used with permission of Bassmaster.
When it comes to competitive bass fishing, Maryland stands out as a prime destination for anglers across the country. With abundant waterways offering diverse and healthy fish populations, the state provides ample opportunities to catch both sizable smallmouth and largemouth bass. From tidal rivers to expansive reservoirs to the nation’s largest estuary, Maryland’s waterbodies are among the best when it comes to fishing.
Professional and amateur anglers alike shouldn’t be surprised by abundant catches – and Maryland waters hold some big fish. The state record largemouth is an 11-pound, 6-ounce lunker caught in a Southern Maryland pond. Read more…
Day Pass Reservation System to Begin at Point Lookout, Newtowne Neck, and North Point State Parks for Juneteenth Holiday
Maryland DNR photo
UPDATE: The Maryland Park Service’s new day-use reservation system, parkdayuse.maryland.gov, is now in operation for five Maryland State Parks through the end of the summer season.
Visitors to Point Lookout, Newtowne Neck, and North Point State Parks will be able to make day-use reservations beginning June 12 for the Juneteenth holiday, June 19, and then for all subsequent weekends and holidays through Labor Day. The day-use reservation system has been successfully operating on peak days at Greenbrier State Park and Sandy Point State Park since Memorial Day weekend. Visitors to all five parks can make reservations up to seven days in advance of a visit at parkdayuse.maryland.gov.
The Maryland Park Service’s new day pass reservation system requires all visitors to these parks to reserve their day-use passes in advance during peak times, to reduce overcrowding, limit traffic backups at park entrances, reduce the frequency of capacity closures, and ensure that every visitor knows they have a space before arriving.
With the new system, advance reservations are mandatory on weekends and holidays through Labor Day— no same-day drive-up access will be allowed. Reservations must be made online and can be revised or canceled until 8 a.m. the day before the visit. Read more…
Maryland Park Service Reinstates Maryland Conservation Corps After Federal Cuts Threatened Program
A Maryland Conservation Corps crew takes a break from restoration work at Wolf Den Run State Park in 2019. Maryland DNR photo.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources and Maryland Park Service have reactivated 17 members of the Maryland Conservation Corps (MCC), who were demobilized in late April after a sudden termination of grant funds by the federal program supporting it.
Following the federal government’s termination of numerous AmeriCorps programs on April 25, late on a Friday night, the Maryland Park Service coordinated efforts to find resources, facilitate strategic planning, and develop next steps to put the program back into place. On May 27 the department reinstated the MCC program with state funding for the remainder of this program year, through the end of August. The department also awaits the impact of a June 5 federal court ruling that reinstates AmeriCorps funding, however the Maryland Park Service program will continue regardless of outcome. Read more…
Maryland Fishing Report – June 4
Nicole Lentz holds a large Chesapeake Channa she caught recently in Dundee Creek. Photo courtesy of Nicole Lentz
We approach the longest daylight hours of the year that reach a peak on the summer solstice June 20. There are extra daylight hours to go fishing so get outdoors!
The first two Saturdays in June – this year, June 7 and June 14 – are free fishing days in Maryland, when anglers do not need to have a fishing license, are a perfect time to introduce someone to the joys of fishing.
Striped bass anglers are urged to report their catches and fish they release on the DNR Volunteer Angler Survey. The information from anglers is very important to the striped bass biologists.
Restoration Efforts Help Quadruple Quail Population in Nanticoke River Wildlife Management Area
Quail habitat on the Nanticoke River Wildlife Management Area. Photo by Rachael Pacella, Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
The softball-sized, onomatopoeically-named bobwhite quail needs four things in its habitat: a place to nest and raise its young, a place to hide from predators, a place with food, and a place for the winter.
A century ago it was easy to find all four. By a decade ago, it was almost impossible. The groundbird’s early morning “poor, bob-white” calls that have long been a fixture of rural life were fading.
But today, quail are calling once again in the Nanticoke River Wildlife Management Area in Wicomico County, thanks to habitat restoration by the Maryland Wildlife and Heritage Service.
Harford County High School Student Named 20th FishMaryland Master Angler
Nathan Choinski began fishing and pursuing the Master Angler title in 2020
Angler Nate Choinski caught a 31-inch Chesapeake Channa in the Susquehanna River near the Conowingo Dam in 2024. Photo by Matt Choinski
Nathan Choinski of Churchville has earned a Master Angler Milestone Award under the Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ FishMaryland program. Choinski is the 20th 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…
Maryland Spring Turkey Hunters Harvest 4,851 Birds
Season total decreases 2% from last year but remains above 10-year average
Photo by Leonardo Pecora, submitted to the 2021 Maryland DNR Photo Contest.
Maryland hunters harvested a total of 4,851 wild turkeys during the 2025 spring regular and junior turkey seasons. While this year’s harvest was slightly lower than the 2024 season total of 4,959, it remained well above the 10-year average of 4,350. Read more…
Maryland Department of Natural Resources Offers Outdoor Recreation Equity Grants
Grants are used to help organizations that run programs to introduce beginners and increase access to outdoor activities such as camping, fishing, hiking, and mountain biking
In 2024, the community group Defensores de la Cuenca used tents and gear purchased with a Maryland Outdoor Equity Grant for a group camping trip at Assateague State Park. Maryland Department of Natural Resources photo.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is now taking applications for the second year of outdoor equity grants, which support outdoor recreation activities in Maryland’s underserved communities with funding for organizations around the state.
The grants fund projects and programs that increase access to camping, fishing, boating, and other outdoor activities, specifically those that help Marylanders overcome social, geographic, cultural, physical, and economic barriers to the outdoors. Read more…
The NEW Maryland Native Plant Program: Better Resourced for Growers and Gardeners
by Paula Becker, Outreach Ecologist
Redbud and bumblebee. Credit: Elena Gilroy
We all know that using native plants in our human landscapes is great for so many reasons. Native plants provide habitat for our native wildlife, birds, and pollinators. They improve water quality and soil health. They support human physical and mental health. AND they can increase the value of our homes. Getting over the initial barriers to using native plants – unfamiliarity with the plants and finding sources – can be daunting. Now, there’s good news on that front!
In 2023, the Maryland Legislature passed the MD Native Plant Program Act. The goal of this program is to educate, encourage, and support Maryland homeowners and land managers in using native plants. The program is a partnership between the Maryland Departments of Natural Resources (DNR) and Agriculture (MDA), the University of Maryland Extension, and the Maryland Native Plant Society. The act addresses both supply and demand and defines what is included as a Maryland native plant.
For the purposes of this program, a native plant “occurs naturally in Maryland and the surrounding region, ecosystem, and habitat, without direct or indirect human actions, …a plant that was present before colonial settlement.” The list of plants is based upon the Maryland Plant Atlas, as maintained by DNR.
On the supply side, this translates into a Commercial Maryland Native Plant list and certification program. The list is a living document, designed to assist growers, retailers, and landscapers by providing appropriate species for their customers. The current list includes over 650 straight species; anyone can nominate a species for addition to the list.
Some plants will not be included. For instance, no cultivars or hybrids of native species will be added to the list unless the straight species is no longer viable. Examples of these are the American chestnut or American elm. Since those two species are no longer able to reach maturity and fill their ecological niche due to disease impact, hybrids are considered as acceptable replacements for the list.
This commercial plant list is also used as a yardstick to certify growers and retailers. Growers can earn bronze, silver, or gold certification based on the percentage of their inventories included on the commercial native plant list. Certification earns growers access to marketing tools, the Maryland Native Plants logo, and a place on the MDA Native Plant Growers guide. This guide as well as the Commercial Maryland Native Plant list can be found under the Maryland’s Best initiative website. (marylandsbest.maryland.gov/maryland-native-plants-for-consumers/).
University of Maryland Extension is leading the charge on native plant education. Their website will host expanding information for growers, home gardeners, and landscapers.
And, of course, the DNR Wild Acres page continues to offer native plant strategies for gardens of all sizes and eco-regions.
Currently, the consortium of agencies is working on regional native plant guides for each of the three ecoregions in Maryland: the coastal plain, the piedmont, and the mountains. Look for a Piedmont guide by the end of summer 2025, with the other two guides to follow. An interactive online native plant search database will be ready by the end of the year. This handy tool will allow anyone to enter site conditions, state regions, and gardening goals (pollinators, birds, rain garden, etc.) and provide a list of plants appropriate for each particular garden. All these new resources will continue to expand and provide additional information and inspiration to gardeners around the state. Grow native!
Monarch butterfly on Goldenrod. Credit: Elena Gilroy
Mud Turtle. Credit: Charles Ruff
Bloodroot. Credit: Martha Johnston
Natural Heritage Program Spotlight: Prescribed Burns
By Edwin Guevara, Natural Heritage Program
Imagine this: You’re on a scenic woodland hike in Maryland. Birds are chirping, squirrels are scurrying — and suddenly, you spot smoke rising from the forest. Your first instinct? Panic. Your second instinct? Call Smokey Bear. But wait — what if we told you that fire was… helping? Welcome to the world of prescribed fire, where the Maryland Department of Natural Resources literally fights fire with fire for a good cause!
Dressed in Nomex flame-resistant fashion gear, the ignition team helps start the blaze. The look includes rugged leather boots, gloves, banana yellow shirt, green pants, hard hat, and a drip torch (yes, that’s a thing). This individual is basically the firefighter’s cousin who likes planning ahead.
“The Burn Boss” in this case is not the name of a metal band — it’s the real title of the person who is responsible for ensuring all aspects of the fire operation, from planning to execution, adhere to the prescribed fire plan and safety protocols. Essentially, they are the leader and coordinator of the burn crew, overseeing the ignition, containment, and post-burn activities; they call the shots during a prescribed burn. Before lighting a single match, they study everything from fuel types (dead leaves, dry grass — forest’s version of kindling) to weather conditions, down to the breeze’s mood that day. One wrong gust, and it’s a no-go. Mother Nature gets final say!
Maryland DNR’s Wildlife and Heritage Service has many employees trained and certified as wildland firefighters. This is a useful skillset to have for two main reasons; fighting wildfires and conducting prescribed burns. In annual prescribed burns, we use fire to restore our natural areas by returning this natural process that has been removed for the past century or so through fire suppression. Fire serves many purposes, like burning off accumulated thatch and debris, which exposes soil and makes it easier for seeds to find suitable places to germinate. It also releases nitrogen into the soil, which stimulates plant growth and encourages roots to grow deeper, making plants more drought resistant. Burning also gives fire-adapted plants an advantage, as these plants are better able to utilize the increased light and resources created by the disturbance fire creates. Many of these fire-adapted plants are at a disadvantage when fire is suppressed from a natural area, so the goal is that re-introducing fire will help these Maryland native plants thrive.
In Maryland’s fire-adapted ecosystems, prescribed burning has become a vital tool for restoring and maintaining rare species habitat. Natural Heritage Program’s Restoration Ecologist Jason Harrison has been involved with prescribed fire for over two decades, and his work highlights the delicate balance between ecology, timing, and community outreach.
“Not every site has the same prescription,” Harrison explains. “We assess each area’s needs—whether it’s in a restoration phase or a maintenance phase—and develop fire plans accordingly.” At a site in the Eastern Shore, burns have been applied for over ten years, keeping the area in an open oak woodland state supporting a lush herbaceous layer of native plants. In contrast, locations that haven’t had a prescribed burn since 2016 were burned this past spring to reset succession, reducing fuel loads and fire intolerant species.
Prescribed fire does more than manage vegetation. It benefits a wide range of rare species that thrive in open, sunny habitats—conditions fire helps create and maintain. A notable example comes from Furnace Town Dunes, where DNR is managing the sundial lupine (Lupinus perennis) and yellow wild indigo (Baptisia tinctoria) populations to support the frosted elfin butterfly (Callophrys irus), a state-endangered species. “The lupine and indigo respond particularly well to fire, often producing more robust flowering plants and higher stem densities, which helps the butterflies,” says Harrison.
Frosted elfin butterfly (Callophrys irus)
Prescribed burns also offer hidden benefits, such as reducing tick populations and lowering the risk of dangerous wildfires. A past wildfire at Soldiers Delight underscored the importance of proactive burning. “That fire did more ecologically than we could have accomplished in years of prescribed burns,” says Harrison. “But it also showed the risks of unmanaged fuel accumulation.”
As DNR expands its capacity to conduct burns and educates the public about their necessity, the hope is to restore balance to fire-starved landscapes—ensuring that Maryland’s rarest species and habitats not only survive but thrive.
A burn crew listens to a safety briefing and goes over the prescribed burn plan at the staging area.
Prescribed burn in progress.
Sundial lupine Photo: Jason Harrison
Native Animal Profile: Sweat Bees
By Katy Gorsuch, Education Specialist
Green Sweat Bee by Alex Andes-Gascon, DNR Photo Contest 2019
It’s Sweat Bee Summer!
We’ve covered sweat bees in a previous edition, but with the temperature rising, the temptation to return to our favorite iridescent insect is undeniable (don’t tell the other bugs!)
As the name suggests, sweat bees are sometimes found collecting sweat from humans. The purpose of such an unusual move is to collect salts, which are often difficult to obtain in the environment. Much like a cow or deer may use a salt-lick, these bees will lap up sweat to supplement their vegetarian diet. The family of bees that are collectively known as sweat bees has some 4.5 thousand species and is called “Halictidae,” giving the group the nickname “Halictid” bees. There is some controversy over the origin of the family name, which may come from the Greek halizein meaning “to gather” or halēs meaning “assembled.” Let’s further muddy the waters by noting that the word “halite,” the mineral from which table salt is taken, comes from the Greek for háls for “salt,” and suggesting another candidate for the origin of the name.
Halictidae is the second largest family of bees in the world, only beaten by the Apidae family, which comprises some 5700 species, including bumblebees and honeybees. Maryland is home to about 120 species of bees in the Halictidae family! Our Maryland sweat bees are classified into nine different genera, of which most belong to the Lasioglossum genus.
Individual species can be difficult to differentiate, and many of Maryland’s sweat bees have no common names (only scientific ones) so we’ll be discussing sweat bees more generally.
Metallic Green Bee on Thistle Flower by Amy Morrison, DNR Photo Contest 2015
A Shining Example
One of the most visible characteristics of many sweat bees is their vibrant green or blue metallic appearance. The genuses Augochloroposis, Augochlorella, and Augochlora all take their names from the Greek words for “to shine” and “green.” Along with Agapostemon, these genera consist only of metallic species in Maryland.
Not all sweat bees are metallic green and blue, although these are certainly noticeable. Maryland species of Sphecodes are red and black, giving rise to their nickname “blood bees,” although intensive interrogation of our state entomologist has led to the reluctant conclusion that none of them are vampires. Dieunomia has no metallic species in Maryland, and while Nomia maneei (the pearly-banded bee) wouldn’t be called metallic, it does possess a rare and beautiful coloration. Not many bees can pull off opalescent banding, but this bee does it with panache!
USGS Native Bee Inventory and Monitoring Lab
The Lasioglossum genus is widely varied — some members look more like what we may consider “normal” for a bee, while others do display the green or blue colors we associate with sweat bees. In between are a chorus of variable blacks, deep blues, and even reds that are difficult to appreciate without the help of a microscope!
Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff
Many sweat bees are much smaller than their more well-known cousins — the Gotham bee (Lasioglossum gotham) is about the size of a grain of rice, with the males being even smaller! Being tiny has the advantage of being less noticeable to predators, but means that such tiny bees may easily be overlooked by humans as well: the Gotham bee was only discovered in 2010, despite being common in New York City! The bee, along with ten other sweat bee species, were discovered as part of a survey of the city’s bee populations for the American Museum of Natural History.
One recent study into the species Halictus ligatus found that their size varied significantly across different environments in three different cities: Chicago, St. Louis, and Detroit. Temperature seemed to play a significant role in their sizes, although it was not the only factor. The findings carry weight for the future of native bees in North America and how they may adapt to the rising temperatures caused by climate change.
| Sweat Bees of Maryland – Halictidae | |||
| Genus | Species in MD | Some Notable Characteristics | Notable Members in Maryland
* most common, based on number of identifications |
| Lasioglossum | 85 | Name: “hairy tongue” Highly variable appearances |
Lasioglossum fuscipenne* |
| Sphecodes | 17 | Name: “Like a wasp” aka blood bees |
|
| Halictus | 5 | Furrow bees | |
| Agapostemon | 4 | Name: “Stamen loving” Metallic |
|
| Augochloropsis | 2 | Name: “Augo” – to shine “Chloros” – green Metallic |
|
| Augochlorella | 2 | Name: “Augo” – to shine “Chloros” – green Metallic |
Augochlorella aurata A. persimilis |
| Dieunomia | 2 | Dieunomia heteropoda❖ D.nevadensis |
|
| Nomia | 1 | Pearly-banded bee Highly state rare |
Nomia maneei ❖ |
| Augochlora | 1 | Name: “Augo” – to shine “Chloros” – green Metallic |
Augochlora pura |
Bee-havior
When we think of bees, images of hives and queens immediately come to mind. However, the vast majority of native bees are actually solitary. Sweat bees exist in a kind of in-between space; some members are solitary, while others are what is known as “primitively eusocial.” Eusociality is animal social behavior in which a group of adults lives together, cooperatively caring for their young. Additionally, eusocial groups display overlapping generations, and within the group there is a division of labor based on reproduction (think of the queen and workers in a typical honey bee hive). “Primitive” eusociality means that there is not much difference physically between those that reproduce and those who do not, and that the colonies tend to be small and brief, unlike more established eusocial species who may maintain an ongoing colony in the thousands for decades (one hive in Scotland may have been occupied for hundreds of years). For comparison, an L. zephryus nest typically has less than 20 bees living in it.
Besides the sweat bees that are primitively eusocial, others are communal, solitary, and still others are parasitic. The fact that so much diversity exists within the sweat bee family has led experts to look intensely at the group as a model to understand the evolution of social behavior in bees as a whole!
Blood bees (Sphecodes) are known to participate in kleptoparasitism, or food stealing. This is a common tactic across the animal kingdom, and many animals will steal food from others as the opportunity arises. Blood bees have acquired the additional nickname of “cuckoo bees” due to their specific tactic; they will find already laid bee nests and lay their own eggs inside, just like cuckoo birds do with other bird species. Blood bees are not the only cuckoo bees, and this tactic extends to some species of wasp, butterflies, and fish as well as other birds. Blood bees are most likely to seek other sweat bees as the host for their eggs.
Despite all this, adult sweat bees have a varied diet of many native flowers regardless of their social adaptations. Due to being generalists, they visit multiple types of flowers to gather nectar and pollen, acting as diverse and wide-ranging pollinators as a result. When they land to collect salt from humans or other sweaty animals, they do not bite or sting in order to get the minerals they’re seeking, but gently lap it up. Sweat bees are unlikely to sting, and no more dangerous than any other bee to those of us without a bee sting allergy. This summer, if a sweat bee graces you with their presence, take an opportunity to observe this unusual and fascinating bee family up close. To further support them, plant native wildflowers in pots, or in the ground, on your porch or in your yard, and avoid pesticides that often poison species other than the ones they intend to target. No matter your space, small or large, your help makes a difference in the lives of our small buzzing buddies!
Read more about Maryland’s native bees here:
Sweat Bees– Chesapeake Bay Program
Estivation- A Midsummer’s Nap
by Sarah Witcher
“Ah, summer, what power you have to make us suffer and like it.” ~Russell Baker
An Eastern box turtle cools off in the water, by Rebecca Bailey, 2023 DNR Photo Contest
Imagine that you are a box turtle. You slowly meander through woods and backyards, in search of water and snacks. The dappled browns and oranges on the top of your shell (your carapace) blend seamlessly with the dried leaves and speckles of unrelenting sunshine streaming through the trees, making you almost invisible to onlookers.
It’s been oppressively hot for weeks, and the blood in your veins feels like dried up nail polish, sticky and sluggish. Speaking of slugs, you eat one off the bottom of a leaf, but it’s no use – you still feel thirsty. By midafternoon the heat is triggering an instinct you didn’t know you had; you are getting very sleepy. Slowly and methodically, you dig a shallow depression under the cover of jewelweed and a tenacious blackberry bramble. You settle in against the cooling soil, close your eyes, and wait.
A Maryland summer can almost always be relied upon to bring relentless heat and humidity. For those of us who don’t love the heat or who have to work in it, those days can bring to mind fantasies of escape, like wishing you could take a nap and wake up when the heat is gone! Unfortunately for humans, we are stuck in circadian rhythms and bodies that need near-constant feeding and watering to survive even a few days. Our fragile physiology can usually maintain the constant sub-100-degree temperatures we need to thrive, but we are notoriously susceptible to damage from exposure and extreme temperatures. This forces us to flee summer heat in the shade or the air conditioning rather than lean into the swelter.
American Toad. Photo by Jordan Kron
Most of us have heard of hibernation, a prolonged period of dormancy to escape cold temperatures, but did you know there’s a version of that for the heat? Fortunately, quite by design, several Maryland animals have figured out a lower-tech solution than swimming pools and forced air systems: it’s called estivation ( from aestas, the Latin root word for summer). Like hibernation, it’s not simply a behavior modification like choosing to sleep. Metabolic rates actually dramatically decrease, slowing or even halting some chemical processes that consume energy. This isn’t just to beat the heat for increased comfort! The decrease in metabolism can be between 70-100% of the normal rates in some animals, and it proves to be an essential survival strategy in times of food shortage and drought.
It’s easy to understand how animal residents of deserts and other arid climates might need to estivate as a survival strategy. While Maryland’s heat index may be less harsh, we still have a few species that utilize estivation – a tactic that may serve them very well as our global climate changes. Reptiles and amphibians are our best-known summer snoozers. Here are a few examples:
- American toad (Anaxyrus americanus, common): Like many toads, this one is mostly nocturnal in the hotter season. It’s been shown to estivate in burrows to avoid unfavorable conditions, at times even transitioning straight to hibernation as summer temperatures cool off.
- Eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina, common but populations are declining): Tthis familiar species has been well-documented as a frequent summer napper.
- Tiger salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum, endangered in Maryland): Young of this rare species have been shown to estivate in older studies, burying themselves under dry, sandy soils to reach a moist layer beneath until conditions improve.
Tiger Salamander. Photo by Kevin Stohlgren.
That said, herps aren’t the only ones with tricks up their sleeves. Invertebrates get in on the summer shut-down, with numerous species of terrestrial snail sealing up the opening of their shells and secreting mucus barriers to keep from drying up like a raisin, depressing their metabolisms once they’ve secured themselves. Insects join in too, like ladybugs, some weevils, and even the hemlock wooly adelgid (Adelges tsugae). This invasive species of insect, native to Japan, was first observed in the eastern United States in the 1950s. Its life cycle is complex and involves multiple generations of offspring, but in this region, it notably goes dormant as a nymph around the month of July. Research to help scientists understand the timing of this process has been essential in targeting effective treatments to save native hemlock trees from the destruction caused by this tiny insect.
Maryland Conservation Corps members inoculate trees against damage from hemlock woolly adelgids. Staff photo.
This summer, as you meet animal neighbors on a toasty warm day, take time to respect and admire this superpower called estivation. Even tardigrades can’t take the heat like some animals who can estivate! These microscopic organisms (affectionately nicknamed “water bears”) are famous for their ability to survive in the vacuum of outer space or insanely cold temperatures. Tardigrades routinely enter a “tun” state where they shrivel up in suspended animation – but even that ability doesn’t function for more than a day in temperatures above 145 degrees.
That said, estivation isn’t entirely magical in its protections. Organisms that use this strategy, even for very short periods of time, often wake up with issues like oxidative stress, buildup of toxins, muscle atrophy due to lack of use, and immune system deficiencies. Creating great wildlife habitat in our backyards is still the best thing we can do to support our wild comrades, and ensure the sleepiest Maryland animals recover from the hottest part of the year. This summer, remember to provide water, lots of shade, and an array of native plants to help us all beat the heat!
Marylanders Hiring Tree Service Contractors Should Always Verify Credentials
Illegal and unlicensed operators cut corners and can leave customers out on a limb
Maryland Licensed Tree Experts are credentialed and insured, performing a wide variety of jobs related to tree care and maintenance. Maryland DNR photo
As Maryland homeowners freshen up their properties and landscape for the summer season, they should know the proper steps to take when hiring tree removal companies to clear damaged and downed trees, limbs, and branches.
In addition to the damage that can be caused by storms, the aftermath of storms can also bring responses from unqualified contractors who attempt to undercut the competition by operating without proper insurance, training, skills, and licenses that keep themselves and their clients safe. Read more…
Venison Donation Grant Program Now Accepting Applications
Funds available to cover processing fees for donated deer
Maryland DNR photo
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is now accepting applications for its 2025 venison donation grant program. Grant money is available to organizations to assist with the direct costs of butchering and processing deer with the resulting venison being donated to programs who assist Marylanders in need.
A total of $25,000 will be awarded, and grants will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Eligible grantees are county governments, municipal corporations, or any 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.
Applications for venison donation grants must be received by 11:59 p.m. on June 16, 2025. More information and applications are available on the department’s website.
Maryland Fishing Report – May 28
Kyle Beliczky holds up a large Chesapeake Channa, or northern snakehead, he caught while fishing in the Rhode River. Photo courtesy of Kyle Beliczky
There are fun fishing adventures waiting out there and hopefully everyone can spend some time at their favorite fishing hole, or perhaps seek out a new spot or species. The first two Saturdays in June are free fishing days where no fishing license is required, so consider taking a friend fishing – it could change their life for the better.
Baltimore County Angler Named 19th FishMaryland Master Angler
Angler Jeffrey Spicer caught this 32.25-inch Chesapeake Channa near Aberdeen on Mar 16, 2024, on his way to achieving a Master Angler Milestone Award under the Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ FishMaryland program. Photo courtesy of Jeffrey Spicer.
Jeffrey Spicer of Parkville has earned a Master Angler Milestone Award under the Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ FishMaryland program. The award recognizes recreational anglers who catch ten trophy-sized fish of different species in Maryland.
Spicer is the 19th angler to achieve the highest milestone in the FishMaryland program. He learned about the Master Angler achievement through two of his fishing buddies who are also master anglers, Tim Campbell and David McCollum. Spicer enjoys fishing with his friends close to home in tidal and nontidal waters, including the lower Susquehanna River, the Bush and Gunpowder rivers, and Loch Raven Reservoir. Spicer fished only with artificial lures to catch all his master angler fish. Read more…
Gwynns Falls State Park Advisory Committee Invites Public Comment in Focus Groups
Community volunteers help plant trees for stream restoration in Gwynn Falls Park in 2014. Maryland DNR file photo.
The public is invited to join two focus group meetings to help assess the opportunities, challenges, and pathways forward to the future establishment of Gwynns Falls State Park as the premier example of a “partnership park” between the State of Maryland and the City of Baltimore.
Input on seven topics will be collected ranging from improvements to park staffing and facilities, visitor experience, recreational opportunities, historic site preservation, and protection of natural resources. Those interested are encouraged to participate in person on May 27 from 3-6 p.m. at the Cahill Recreation Center, 4001 Clifton Avenue, Baltimore, or virtually through Webex on May 29 from 3- 6 p.m. A complete listing of the focus group topics and the link for the virtual session can be found on the Department of Natural Resources’ Gwynns Falls State Park Advisory Commission webpage. Read more…
‘Big Tree Centennial Contest’ Offers Prizes for Exploring Maryland’s State Forests
This silver maple at Green Ridge State Forest is the biggest Big Tree on Maryland public lands. Maryland DNR photo.
UPDATE: Contest Deadline Extended through Dec. 31, 2025
To mark its centennial, the Maryland Big Tree Program is offering $500 to whoever can find the biggest tree in a state forest.
In partnership with the Maryland Forest Service, the program is offering its Big-Tree Centennial Contest, encouraging the public to explore Maryland state forest and to report back on any trees larger than 15 feet in circumference. Top prize for finding the biggest tree – $500. Second gets $400, third gets $300, fourth gets $200 and fifth gets $100. Tree type doesn’t matter for this contest, only size.
Some Largemouth Bass Are Now Florida Bass: Science Confirms a 1949 Theory
Maryland Department of Natural Resources photo
Largemouth bass are Maryland’s most popular freshwater sportfish. Found in lakes, and nontidal and tidal rivers throughout the state, many anglers enjoy fishing for them because of their size, the sport they provide, or the tournaments that are hosted throughout the state. Recently, though, the fish has undergone a name change—sort of.
The American Fisheries Society has officially recognized the Florida bass as a separate species from the largemouth bass, following a recent study by Yale University. By analyzing the genetics of 394 fish, researchers found a distinct difference between fish from Florida and coastal Georgia compared to those found elsewhere in the United States. Read more…
Maryland Department of Natural Resources Reports Sustainable Population in 2025 Chesapeake Bay Blue Crab Winter Dredge Survey
Next year’s blue crab stock assessment expected to inform management options, help better understand low juvenile recruitment
Blue crabs await measurement during the 2024 winter dredge survey. Photo by Joe Zimmermann
The Chesapeake Bay Blue Crab Winter Dredge Survey, a cooperative effort between the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, estimates 238 million blue crabs in the Chesapeake Bay in 2025, a decrease from last year’s 317 million crabs.
The results showed decreases in the abundance of adult male and female crabs, as well as a decline in the juvenile population, marking the sixth consecutive year of below average juvenile recruitment found in the survey.
“We saw a very high mortality rate among blue crabs this winter, likely due to several cold snaps,” said Mandy Bromilow, DNR’s blue crab program manager. “With the results of the stock assessment next year, we hope to have more insight on what could be contributing to the ongoing low juvenile recruitment and what we can do to support the Chesapeake Bay’s blue crabs. Until then, we need to maintain caution in our management approach for blue crabs.” Read more…
Maryland Fishing Report – May 21
Siblings Aiden and Mia Slattery teamed up to enjoy fishing for white perch together. Photo by Keith Lockwood
There is a lot of great fishing to enjoy this week from western Maryland to the coastal regions. One fishing scene that will be enjoyed by our youngest and oldest anglers are white perch, which can now be found near docks in every tidal river and creek of the Chesapeake Bay.
Board of Public Works Approves $4.7 Million for Construction of Park Facilities in Baltimore, Prince George’s, and Other Counties
Funding approved for DNR’s Program Open Space -Local projects
Program Open Space – Local provides funds for local communities to provide public outdoor recreation access. Photo by Bob Julia, submitted to 2018 Maryland DNR Photo Contest.
The Board of Public Works today approved more than $4.7 million in grants to local governments from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to construct park facilities in Baltimore, Frederick, Garrett, Prince George’s, and Washington Counties. Read more…
Shawn Kimbro Named 2025 Maryland Sport Fisheries Achievement Award Recipient
Shawn Kimbro, recipient of 2025 Maryland Sport Fisheries Achievement Award. Photo by Brendan Felch, used with permission by Maryland DNR.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ Sport Fisheries Advisory Commission named writer Shawn Kimbro the 2025 recipient of the annual Maryland Sport Fisheries Achievement Award.
The commission and department recognize Kimbro for his decades of advocacy for fisheries in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
Kimbro has written extensively on fishing ethics and techniques, and championed successful ethical angler outreach. His work, which includes nationally recognized books, syndicated articles, podcasts, and film, contains a frequent theme – protecting Maryland’s fish and improving their habitat. Read more…
The ‘Free State’ Offers Opportunities for Low- or No-Cost Fishing
A Maryland Department of Natural Resources staff member leads a demonstration at a free fishing clinic. Maryland DNR photo.
Whether someone is just dipping a line for the first time or ready to jump back into the hobby of fishing, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) offers the chance to enjoy the thrill of a catch without spending a lot of money.
Licensing fees directly fund DNR’s important conservation work – the department monitors the health of fish, crab, and shellfish populations, tackles invasive species, protects habitats, and more using those dedicated funds from anglers. Additionally, purchases of fishing tackle, boats, and marine fuel contribute to sportfishing sustainability and access through federal excise taxes.
But recognizing the importance of getting more people involved in fishing – whether they’ve never tried it before or gave it up years ago and want to get back into it – DNR provides numerous opportunities to fish for free or borrow gear. Read more…
Day Pass Reservation System Now Online for Greenbrier and Sandy Point State Parks
Weekend and holiday reservations required at the two parks starting Saturday, May 24
Sandy Point State Park, Maryland DNR photo.
Beginning today, visitors planning to attend Greenbrier State Park or Sandy Point State Park for Memorial Day weekend as well as future weekends and holidays can make reservations at parkdayuse.maryland.gov.
The Maryland Park Service’s new day pass reservation system requires all visitors to these parks to reserve their day-use passes in advance during peak times, to reduce overcrowding, limit traffic backups at park entrances, reduce the frequency of capacity closures, and ensure that every visitor knows they have a space before arriving. Later this summer, the system will also expand to other parks including Point Lookout, Newtowne Neck, and North Point State Parks. Read more…
Maryland Oyster Stock Assessment Records Long-Term Increase In Oyster Abundance
Benchmark stock assessment completed this year estimates more than 12 billion oysters are in Maryland’s waters of the Chesapeake Bay
Oysters sit in a bucket after being measured by Department of Natural Resources staff as part of the annual fall survey, a major data source for the stock assessment that found an increase in Maryland oysters. Photo by Joe Zimmermann, Maryland DNR
The population of Maryland’s oysters has grown significantly in the past 20 years, according to the results of the latest benchmark stock assessment for the species.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources and the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science released the summary results of the stock assessment on Monday.
“Good news for oysters is good news for the Chesapeake Bay,” DNR Secretary Josh Kurtz said. “This stock assessment shows that oysters have made important progress during the past two decades. That’s a testament both to our continued investment in oyster restoration and our careful management of the oyster fishery. These findings will help guide management decisions during the next several years.” Read more…
Horseshoe Crab Spawning Migration Arriving in Maryland
These horseshoe crabs landed at Chesapeake Beach on the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay in 2024. Photo by Elizabeth Klein, Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
Thousands of horseshoe crabs (Limulus polyphemus) have begun landing on Maryland’s shores for what is believed to be the world’s oldest wildlife migration. Dating back an estimated 350 million years, the annual spawning occurs from May through July, peaking with high tides on or around the full and new moons in June. Read more…
Maryland Fishing Report – May 14
Kane Kaftol shows off his first fish, a bluegill sunfish that he caught while fishing with his dad at Gwynbrook Pond. Photo by Alex Kaftol
The warmer weather of late spring beckons us all to explore the Maryland outdoors, and fishing is a wonderful way to introduce our youngest explorers to it. Most adult anglers can remember their first introduction to fishing and the feisty bluegill sunfish often provided that first catch.
Public Comment Sought for 2026 Maryland State Forest Work Plans
Savage River State Forest. Maryland DNR photo.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is now seeking public comment on the proposed fiscal year 2026 annual work plans for the following state forests: Chesapeake/Pocomoke, Green Ridge, Potomac-Garrett, and Savage River. The comment period runs May 6 through June 6, 2025. Read more…
Secretary’s Message – New State Laws Will Help Protect Public Lands and the Chesapeake Bay
DNR staff tour Cypress Branch State Park in Kent County, currently the newest Maryland State Park. Maryland DNR photo.
Now that the Maryland General Assembly legislative session has ended, the Department of Natural Resources is working to act on the laws they have passed.
I wanted to thank the team at the Department who dedicated countless hours providing information to state legislators on the numerous bills that impact our work to improve ecological, social, and economic outcomes for all Marylanders.
And of course DNR appreciates the work of our elected leaders in the legislature for providing resources to support those efforts. Read more…
Maryland Fishing Report – May 7
Logan Weddle was enjoying wading on the upper Potomac when he caught and released this beautiful trophy sized 21-inch smallmouth bass recently. Photo courtesy of Logan Weddle
May is upon us and warm temperatures beckon all to enjoy the outdoors of Maryland. Fishing is one of the best ways to enjoy nature and the peace and solitude that comes with being near water.
Board of Public Works Approves $1.9 Million for Park Improvements and Land Conservation in Cecil, Frederick and Somerset Counties
Funding approved for DNR’s Program Open Space Local, Local Parks and Playgrounds Infrastructure, Community Parks and Playgrounds, and Rural Legacy programs
Funding is approved for Cecil Land Trust to acquire a conservation easement on 42 acres in the Fair Hill Rural Legacy Area, to preserve productive agricultural land and forested stream buffers along Little North East Creek, a source of drinking water for the Town of North East. Maryland DNR photo.
The Board of Public Works today approved more than $1.9 million in grants to local governments and a land trust from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to improve park facilities and protect land with perpetual conservation easements in Cecil, Frederick, and Somerset counties. Read more…
DNR Reminds Marylanders to Keep Deer Fawns Wild
Handling wildlife is usually unnecessary and always illegal
Photo by Steven Borgfeld, submitted to Maryland DNR Photo Contest.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources cautions anyone who encounters a fawn that is alone to avoid disturbing it and resist the urge to feed or handle it. Removing deer from the wild and keeping them in captivity is against the law in Maryland in order to protect animal welfare and ensure public safety. Read more…
Point Lookout Lighthouse to Open to the Public Following Renovations
Point Lookout Lighthouse at Point Lookout State Park in St. Mary’s County, Maryland. Credit: A.J. Metcalf/ Maryland DNR
After extensive renovations and exhibit installations, the historic Point Lookout Lighthouse at the southern tip of Point Lookout State Park in St. Mary’s County is ready to welcome the public.
Visitors will be able to tour the lighthouse five days per week–from Thursday through Monday–beginning on Thursday, May 15. The Park Service plans to use this schedule until September and lighthouse hours will be dependent on seasonal staffing availability.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) began the renovation of the lighthouse in 2017 after previously acquiring it from the U.S. Navy in a land swap deal in 2006. The property required extensive renovations that included stabilizing the structure, repairing leaks, replacing dry wall and timbers, rebuilding stairways, and re-finishing the former living quarters. Read more…
Maryland Marks 100 Years of Big Trees
Maryland Big Tree Program inspired national effort and continues to recognize Maryland trees
A tree on Goshen Road in Gaithersburg is believed to be the largest English elm in the world. It is one of thousands of trees documented by the Maryland Big Tree Program. Credit: Maryland Big Tree Program
A hundred years ago, Maryland residents across the state set out to find big trees.
In what newspapers simply called the “Tree Contest,” the Maryland Department of Forestry and the Maryland Forestry Association solicited submissions of trees that were notable for their “size, history, or other distinguishing characteristics.” They asked Marylanders to mail in the record of the tree, a photo if they had one, and directions on how to find it.
The contest, which ran from April to July 1925—with an extended deadline due to sustained interest, drew 450 entries from every Maryland county but one. A 124-foot-tall pecan tree in Princess Anne placed first, netting its owner a $25 prize.
For John Bennett, the effects of that contest live on 100 years later in the Maryland Big Tree Program, which he co-chairs, and in the nationwide effort it helped inspire as well as the excitement for forestry it generated. Bennett said Maryland’s big trees help spread awareness for sustainable forestry—adaptive management techniques that promote the long-term health of forests, allowing both big trees and full forests to thrive. Read more…
Maryland Department of Natural Resources Launches New Day Pass Reservation System in Select State Parks
Required reservations to relieve backups at busiest state parks
Greenbrier State Park, photo by Ranger Sarah Rodriguez, Maryland Department of Natural Resources
The Maryland Park Service is launching a new Day-Use Reservation System, which will go live May 19 for Greenbrier State Park and Sandy Point State Park, to be followed by several other parks later in the season. This new system requires all visitors to reserve their day-use passes in advance during peak times, to reduce overcrowding, limit traffic backups at park entrances, reduce the frequency of capacity closures, and ensure that every visitor knows they have a space before arriving. Read more…
Project Spotlight: DNR’s Watershed and Climate Services Partners With Environmental Education Preserve To Build a Living Laboratory of Restoration Science
Projects create habitat and public access at Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center
Spartina patens and Spartina alterniflora planted as part of a DNR-funded living shoreline project at the Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center in 2023. CBEC photo
Located in Grasonville near Kent Island, the Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center — known as CBEC – has been the site of living shoreline and marsh enhancement projects for more than 23 years.
From work that turned concrete rubble from Baltimore’s Memorial Stadium into oyster habitat, to innovative techniques of thin-layer placement of dredged material, CBEC has long been on the cutting edge of restoration and continues to inspire marsh and shoreline work in other parts of the Bay.
CBEC is the headquarters of the Wildfowl Trust of North America, an organization focused on environmental education and Bay restoration. Open to the public, CBEC also offers a unique opportunity to see Bay restoration in action. Read more…
DNR Unit Renamed Watershed and Climate Services to Highlight Focus on Restoration and Resilience
Previously the Chesapeake and Coastal Service, WCS will continue Bay restoration work with additional climate emphasis
Monie Bay in Somerset County is a site where staff from DNR’s Watershed and Climate Services monitor and implement the latest science to protect coastal areas from the effects of climate change, as part of the Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve program. Photo: Matt Pombuena/DNR
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has officially rebranded its Chesapeake and Coastal Service with the name Watershed and Climate Services, a name that recognizes its mission as well as its commitment to serving all Maryland communities and watersheds.
The new identity emphasizes the unit’s ongoing dedication to healthy watersheds, resilient communities, vibrant economies, and all Marylanders well-being.
“Climate change is one of the most pressing issues facing Maryland today, and the Department of Natural Resources is a leader in addressing and mitigating the effects of climate such as stronger storms, warmer temperatures, and rising sea levels in the state,” DNR Secretary Josh Kurtz said. “By rebranding our Watershed and Climate Services, we want to emphasize that we have a dedicated team working hard on these issues. Watershed and Climate Services is using the latest science to build resilience to climate change while also protecting the Chesapeake Bay watershed and watersheds throughout Maryland.” Read more…