Natural Resources News
Maryland’s Summer Closure of Striped Bass Fishing Begins July 16
Maryland Department of Natural Resources staff conduct the annual juvenile striped bass survey, to monitor the annual reproductive success of the species. Maryland DNR photo.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources reminds recreational anglers that targeting striped bass in the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries is prohibited from July 16 through July 31.
This closure is necessary to protect the species, because when water and air temperatures rise in the hottest part of summer, fish are more vulnerable to dying after being caught and released. Read more…
Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund Provides $35.8 Million for Ecological Restoration Projects
Tree planting and streamside buffers are among the many best practices funded by the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund. Maryland Department of Natural Resources photo.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is awarding $35.8 million from the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund to 34 ecological restoration projects encompassing 122 sites throughout the state for Fiscal Year 2025. The projects were selected to improve water quality and habitat in the Chesapeake Bay watershed while building local resilience to climate impacts.
These projects deploy best management practices including streamside tree buffer plantings, reforestation, stream restoration, stormwater management, and wetland creation. The Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund targets the most cost-efficient and effective non-point source pollution reduction projects. DNR selected the recipients from applications for outcome-based funding through the department’s online Grants Gateway. Read more…
Maryland Fishing Report – July 10
Ron McClain loves taking his granddaughter Savannah fishing and she has earned the nickname “Rockfish Barbie,” as evidenced by this keeper-size striped bass. Photo by Ron McClain
It is time for summer vacations. Our youngest anglers are off from school and many parents and grandparents are creating lifetime memories with them, often through fishing together.
As a reminder, all striped bass fishing in the Chesapeake Bay will be on hold from July 16-31 , in order to protect the fishery during what is statistically the hottest part of the year. But even when it is legal to catch one keeper-size striped bass per day, the Department of Natural Resources advises following our Striped Bass Forecast Advisory and avoiding catch-and-release fishing for striped bass on hot days.
Anglers should also be aware of Myobacteriosis, an infectious disease often seen on striped bass when fish are more stressed by high water temperatures. Infected fish may show visible signs of disease including skin ulcers and severe muscle loss. Anglers should release diseased fish when caught, and take precautions when handling fish to avoid infection. Washing hands or using waterless hand sanitizer after handling diseased fish is advised. More information on Myobacteriosis is found on the Department of Natural Resources website.
Avid Kayak and Shore Fisherman from Solomons becomes Eleventh FishMaryland Master Angler
New Master Angler Eric Packard fishes more than 200 days a year
Eric Packard holds a hickory shad. Photo courtesy of Eric Packard
Eric Packard of Calvert County has earned a Master Angler Milestone Award under the Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) FishMaryland program. The award recognizes recreational anglers who catch ten trophy-sized fish of different species in Maryland. Packard is the eleventh Master Angler since the program began in 2019. Read more…
Secretary’s Message: Maryland is Stronger with Planned Climate Resilience
Ground is broken for the Hanover Street Wetlands, part of the Middle Branch Resilience Initiative, which is adding wetlands, natural shorelines, boardwalks, and fishing areas in South Baltimore. Maryland Department of Natural Resources photo.
The recent dry spell notwithstanding, the Atlantic hurricane season is underway. NOAA National Weather Service forecasters’ outlook for the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, which spans from June 1 to November 30, predicted an 85% chance of an above-normal hurricane activity in the Atlantic basin this year.
Maryland’s 3,190 miles of shoreline – including land abutting its rivers, bays, and the Atlantic coast – have always put us in the crosshairs of flooding from major storms and events. We don’t even need to suffer a direct hit, as we regularly suffer flooding from storm surges and “sunny day flooding” caused when exceptionally high tide breaches the land. Climate change, sea level rise, erosion, and subsidence all are working against us to make this problem worse unless we act.
In Maryland, we are continually developing the tools of resilience, combined efforts to identify and protect our lands and communities from flooding and extreme weather. Through the Maryland Commission on Climate Change’s Adaptation and Resiliency Work Group, the state developed the Next Generation Adaptation Plan that will guide adaptation actions over the next 10 years. You will read more about this plan in the coming months. Read more…
Maryland Fishing Report – July 3
Rich Watts holds up what every crabber is looking for, a heavy jumbo blue crab. Photo by Rich Watts
It’s the Fourth of July – time for family gatherings and barbecues, and steamed blue crabs will be on the most wanted list for many. Blue crab catches have been good recently, so we wish all our recreational crabbers the best of luck.
On July 4, unlicensed anglers are free to fish anywhere in the state without a fishing license – so feel free to take someone fishing.
Board of Public Works Approves $6.3 Million for Park Improvements and Land Conservation
Funding approved for DNR’s Local Parks and Playgrounds Infrastructure and Rural Legacy programs
Agricultural Security Corridor Rural Legacy Area will expand with the addition of two properties in Caroline and Talbot counties. Maryland Department of Natural Resources photo.
The Board of Public Works today approved Maryland Department of Natural Resources items totaling $6.3 million in grants to local governments and land trusts to improve parks and protect land with perpetual conservation easements.
A total of $480,000 in Program Open Space – Local was approved for four projects including a Washington County project to provide new access to and parking for the Antietam Creek Waterway Trail. Program Open Space – Local provides funding for county and municipal governments for the planning, acquisition, and development of recreational land or facilities.
Also approved was $2.6 million from the Local Parks and Playgrounds Infrastructure Program for three projects in Prince George’s County. The county will use the funds to replace playgrounds at Lane Manor Park and Bladensburg Waterfront Park and construct improvements at Park Berkshire Park including a loop walking trail, ADA-compliant pedestrian access, renovation of athletic fields, and playground improvements. The Local Parks and Playgrounds Infrastructure Program was funded in FY 2022 and FY 2023 to provide grant funds primarily to local governments for park and recreation projects. Read more…
Certification Recognizes Maryland State Forests as Sustainable
Maryland state forests recently completed their annual recertification process
A mix of tall, mature trees as well as a developed underbrush in Chesapeake Forest Lands, showing a diversity that forest managers say is important to biodiversity and resiliency. MD DNR photo
Independent auditors recently reviewed the Pocomoke State Forest and Chesapeake Forest Lands, two state forests on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, and recertified them as sustainable, meeting international standards for forest management.
Twenty-one years ago, the Chesapeake Forest Lands became the state’s first certified forests, a recognition now shared by 214,000 acres of state forest land in Maryland. The third-party audits consider ecological, social, and economic benefits of a responsibly managed forest.
Maryland Waterfowl Hunting Blind Site Lottery Opens July 15
Licensing process offers chance to secure hunting locations for a season
Photo courtesy of Jake McPherson, Ducks Unlimited
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is again offering an online process for Maryland hunters to apply for a 2024-2025 waterfowl blind site license. From July 15 through July 29 at 11:59 p.m., hunters and riparian landowners may enter the annual lottery for the opening days of blind site licensing. Read more…
Summer Waterway Users Should Follow Safe Swimming Practices
Swim near a lifeguard, stay sober on the water
Visitors to public swimming areas should observe signage for when locations and conditions are dangerous, such as this red flag at Assateague State Park. Maryland Department of Natural Resources photo.
As we reach the height of summer, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources reminds residents and visitors to swim near a lifeguard, wear a life jacket, and to always swim and boat sober. Read more…
Natural Resources Police Conducting ‘Operation Dry Water’ to Combat Boating Under the Influence
Boaters should expect increased patrols and vessel checks
Maryland Department of Natural Resources photo.
This holiday weekend, Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) anticipates more boaters on the water, and subsequently an increase in boating incidents and fatalities.
Because of the high volume of activity during the July 4 holiday, it’s statistically one of the most dangerous times on Maryland’s waterways. Boating while under the influence of alcohol or drugs remains a major issue not just in Maryland, but nationwide. In response, in partnership with the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators, NRP will once again participate in the national Operation Dry Water, which includes heightened awareness and enforcement from July 4-6. Read more…
Grants Announced for Youth Outdoor Science and Watershed Education
Maryland Department of Natural Resources photo
Two Maryland nonprofits will receive Youth Outdoor Science and Watershed Education grant funding to develop and enhance environmental education in the state. Read more…
Maryland Awarded $1.2 Million in First Cohort of the Community Forestry Catalyst Fund
Maryland Department of Natural Resources photo
Six community-based and local government organizations in Maryland will receive a combined $1.2 million over the next two years as part of a federal Inflation Reduction Act-supported grantmaking program.
The Maryland Forest Service received and forwarded 22 applications statewide for the inaugural round of awards to the Community Forestry Catalyst Fund, which aims to expand the reach and capacity of tree and forest-based initiatives in underserved communities. Requested funds totaled $6.6 million. Read more…
Public Lands Visitors Urged to Practice Vehicle Safety And Theft Prevention
Maryland Department of Natural Resources photo
As visitation at state parks climbs during the busy summer season, it unfortunately also brings an increase in reported criminal activity. Vehicles parked in Maryland state parks and other public lands can often be susceptible to theft. Criminals target cars parked at trailheads and parks as they are typically in remote areas, where the owner is likely to not be near, and may have valuables stowed inside.
In 2023, more than 50 thefts were reported from vehicles in Maryland state parks, state forests, wildlife management areas, fishing management areas, natural resources management areas, and other Department of Natural Resources managed lands. Most occurred during peak season, primarily during the summer months of June, July, and August. Read more…
Maryland Fishing Report – June 26
Blue catfish, photo courtesy of Chandlier Dominick
It is now officially summer, but with this heat we didn’t need a calendar to tell us that! The early mornings and evenings offer some relief for anglers — wading or an overhead canvas, T-tops, or the simple shade of a shoreline tree, or wading can offer a cool and peaceful place to fish. July 4 is coming up and provides a license-free fishing day in Maryland – a great opportunity to introduce someone to fishing for the first time.
For anglers who catch striped bass in the Chesapeake Bay, remember that summer heat can be deadly for fish that are not keeper sized and must be released. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources provides a weekly striped bass fishing advisory forecast during the hottest months, using “warning flags” to let anglers better plan their fishing to help protect our state fish.
Chesapeake Bay Hypoxia Report – May 2024
Lower oxygen conditions this spring consistent with yearly forecast model
Graph of comparative dissolved oxygen levels in the Chesapeake Bay
Data collected by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and Old Dominion University show that May 2024 dissolved oxygen conditions in the Chesapeake Bay mainstem of Maryland and Virginia were worse than average. The results are from samples collected during regular monitoring cruises conducted aboard research vessels.
The hypoxic water volume — waters with less than 2 mg/l oxygen — was 0.42 cubic miles during the 2024 mid-May monitoring cruise, compared to the May average (1985-2023) of 0.18 cubic miles. This May ranks as the sixth largest volume of hypoxic water on record for the respective time period. No anoxia – areas of water with less than 0.2 mg/l oxygen – was observed in the May 2024 monitoring cruise. Read more…
Dr. Ray Morgan Named 2024 Maryland Sport Fisheries Achievement Award Recipient by the Department of Natural Resources
Dr. Ray Morgan
The Maryland Sport Fisheries Advisory Commission and Maryland Department of Natural Resources are proud to recognize Dr. Ray Morgan as the 2024 recipient of the annual Maryland Sport Fisheries Achievement Award. The commission and department recognize Dr. Morgan for his longstanding commitment to Maryland fisheries as an educator, researcher, and for his strong stewardship of our aquatic resources.
Dr. Morgan is Professor Emeritus with the Appalachian Laboratory of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science. His inquisitive nature led to his research on aquatic ecology, pollution ecology, and fisheries genetics. In particular, he is nationally recognized for his research on the genetics of brook trout. Read more…
Maryland Department of Natural Resources Strongly Disagrees with Virginia’s Decision to Reopen Long Closed Blue Crab Winter Dredge Fishery
Maryland Department of Natural Resources photo
Today, the Virginia Marine Resources Commission by a 5-4 vote repealed the longtime prohibition on dredging for blue crabs during the winter near the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources strongly disagrees with Virginia’s decision.
Summer Waterway Users Should Be Alert for Marine Wildlife
Public asked to report stranded marine mammals and sea turtles
Photo by Paige Finley, submitted to the Maryland DNR Photo Contest.
Summer is here and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources would like to remind people that marine wildlife — dolphins, manatees, sea turtles, whales, and others – are making their seasonal return to the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries, as well as the Atlantic Ocean and coastal bays.
Anyone who sees a marine mammal or sea turtle in Maryland waters is urged to report it to the state Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Stranding Response Program at 800-628-9944. Anglers, boaters, and beachgoers should especially be on the lookout for stranded, dead, sick, injured, or entangled animals. Read more…
Climate Resilience Projects Throughout Maryland Funded with $2.9 Million in Grants
Crews constructing a living shoreline for flood mitigation in 2021, photo by Stephen Badger, Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced more than $2.9 million in competitive grants for 12 climate resilience projects to help communities design and construct solutions to withstand flooding and other weather-related events.
The selected projects will reduce risk for vulnerable communities, incorporate climate change data into existing plans and policies, and develop nature-based or natural solutions to help control flooding.
Funding is provided by the state’s Resiliency Through Restoration Initiative, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Read more…
Maryland Fishing Report – June 19
John Miller celebrated Father’s Day with his son Garret and father Jack, three generations of anglers doing what they love. Photo by Jack Miller.
Father’s Day was a wonderful day for people to spend time with family – and many chose to go fishing and enjoy the day together. As summer officially begins this week, we can look forward to many more opportunities to join friends and family in the great outdoors.
For anglers who catch striped bass in the Chesapeake Bay, remember that summer heat can be deadly for fish that are not keeper sized and must be released. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources provides a weekly striped bass fishing advisory forecast during the hottest months, using “warning flags” to let anglers better plan their fishing to help protect our state fish.
At Another Key Juncture for Blue Crabs, Scientists Look Back at Two Decades of Management
Lessons learned from past management give hope for new stock assessment
Regulations that focused on female crabs starting in 2008 helped bring a back the population of the iconic crustacean in the Chesapeake Bay. Photo by Stephanie Kendall
In the late 2000s, the outlook for blue crabs in the Chesapeake Bay was grim.
Known for its ups and downs, the blue crab harvest was going through a long stretch of almost all downs. The crab population steeply declined after 1997 and remained at record low harvests for a decade. The region lost nearly 4,500 crab-related jobs between 1998 and 2006.
Determined to save the crabbing industry—the most profitable fishery in the Bay—and increase the population of blue crabs, officials from Maryland, Virginia, and the Potomac River Fisheries Commission took action, enacting a spate of bold regulations that changed the way the species was managed. Read more…
Natural Resources Police Equips Officers With Body-Worn Cameras
A Maryland Natural Resources Police officer wears an Axon body-worn camera, which have been distributed to all officers on the force. Photo by Hunter Dortenzo, Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
Following a 12-month pilot program, Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) has taken delivery of 275 Axon body-worn cameras, and has officially implemented an agency-wide program in which every sworn officer will wear cameras while on duty. Read more…
Maryland Fishing Report – June 12
Bret Grossnickle found some quiet time and this beautiful smallmouth bass at Liberty Reservoir. Photo by Bret Grossnickle
Summer breezes and warm temperatures set the stage for all kinds of fishing this week. Whether fishing in the Atlantic Ocean or Chesapeake Bay, or just lazily watching a fishing rod nestled in a forked stick at your favorite freshwater fishing hole, it’s all good. We can all find a bit of peace and reflection wherever the outdoors takes us.
As the weather gets warmer, so does the water temperature. Summer heat can be damaging to fish, and for the striped bass in the Chesapeake Bay, certain conditions can be deadly for fish that are caught and released. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources provides a weekly striped bass fishing advisory forecast during the hottest months, using “warning flags” to let anglers better plan their fishing to help protect our state fish.
Qualification Shoots Scheduled for Managed Deer Hunts
Proficiency Tests Necessary to Participate in Managed Deer Hunts
Maryland Department of Natural Resources photo
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has released the 2024 shooter qualification schedule, which includes 21 qualification sessions at 9 locations across the state. Additional events are available upon reservation.
These events allow hunters to take the necessary proficiency test required to obtain a shooter qualification card in order to participate in many of the managed deer hunts scheduled in the fall and winter. The department uses a lottery system to select participants for many of the managed deer hunts. There are various deadlines for the lotteries, which can be found on the department’s website. Read more…
DNR Offers Kayak Fishing Program at Janes Island State Park July 9-12
Maryland Department of Natural Resources photo.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources Adult Angler Education Program is offering a four-day kayak fishing course July 9-12 at Janes Island State Park in Somerset county. Staff will teach basic skills and showcase the angling opportunities within Maryland’s brackish tidal marshes.
Only a limited number of spots are available and registrants are accepted on a first-come-first-serve basis. Participants must be able to attend all four days as each instructional day builds on the previous one. Read more…
New Land Purchase Gives Wills Mountain State Park a Path for Public Access
Environmental cleanup and ecological survey will take time, but officials look forward to opening the long-inaccessible park
The view from Wills Mountain State Park. Photo by Joe Zimmermann/Maryland DNR
Just past the stone ruins of an old hotel, Maryland Park Service Ranger Cliff Puffenberger came to a clearing.
The edge of an outcrop revealed green mountains that filled the horizon and birds of prey that swept over rocky cliff faces. The expansive view, which stretched from Pennsylvania to West Virginia, overlooked the nearby city of Cumberland and the roads and rail lines that made it a hub of transportation in western Maryland.
“This is a magical place, it really is,” Puffenberger, manager of the nearby Rocky Gap State Park, said.
The lookout is part of Wills Mountain State Park, a scenic stretch of land in Allegany County that’s been officially inaccessible to the public for decades. But a new property acquisition by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources will open the way for public access. Read more…
Secretary’s Message: Blaze a New Trail this Summer
Hiking at Tuckahoe State Park. Maryland Department of Natural Resources photo.
June is Great Outdoors Month, and this year the month kicked off with National Trails Day. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources offers thousands of miles of great trails for hiking, biking, horse riding and other activities. These marked paths can be found for any skill level or terrain, within the hundreds of thousands of acres of wildlife management areas, state parks, and state forests.
DNR is also expanding the way trails can be enjoyed. Among our many activities statewide, the Department of Natural Resources dedicated a new “sensory trail” at Tuckahoe State Park. This easy-to-navigate loop trail provides a series of stations designed to allow hikers to recognize different sounds, textures, and smells along the trail, thereby gaining confidence in their own abilities to interpret the environment at their own pace. We are continually looking for ways to make sure that nature is accessible by everyone. Read more…
State Forest Trails Trek Deep Into Maryland’s Nature
Savage River State Forest in early fall. Maryland Department of Natural Resources photo.
For those looking for an outdoor experience that truly gets away from it all, Maryland has 214,000 acres of public forest land, much of which is open to hikers, bikers, birders, anglers, photographers, and campers.
Trails are available in all 11 forests managed by the Maryland Forest Service. State forests have short hikes that are perfect for a day trip, as well as long trails through remote terrain for real wilderness aficionados. Read more…
Maryland Fishing Report – June 5
Chesapeake Channa, photo courtesy of Brooke Wolf.
Although the season doesn’t officially change until June 20, it sure feels like summer, and everyone is enjoying the outdoors, especially their favorite fishing adventures. A popular pastime is fishing for invasives like blue catfish and Chesapeake Channa, also known as northern snakeheads, which provide a wonderful dinner item.
Maryland Department of Natural Resources fisheries biologists are busy studying striped bass; interested anglers can keep up on the latest striped bass findings and other current news on our website.
Two license-free fishing days remain for the 2024 fishing season, on June 8 and July 4. This is a wonderful opportunity to invite someone who has never fished before or has given it up, don’t let the opportunity pass – you just might find a new fishing buddy.
Board of Public Works Approves $4.5 Million for Recreation and Land Preservation
Funding includes $2.1 million for Rural Legacy Area conservation easements
Mid-Maryland Washington Rural Legacy Area. Maryland Department of Natural Resources photo.
The Board of Public Works today approved Maryland Department of Natural Resources items including $4.5 million in grants to local governments and land trusts to preserve and protect land, and provide recreational opportunities for Marylanders. Read more…
Maryland Aquaculture Leases Produce Record Yield of Oysters in 2023
Maryland Department of Natural Resources photo.
Maryland’s growing shellfish aquaculture operations harvested a record 94,286 bushels of oysters in 2023, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources reported. Read more…
Wineberries Are a Tasty Treat—and a Lesson in Invasive Species Management
The plant is widespread in Maryland, but eating their fruit can help stem their growth
Wineberries are known for their bright red color and sweet, slightly tart taste. Photo by Anna Paff
In the summer, spots of red begin to appear in the forests of Maryland.
Wineberries pop up every year, and it’s an increasingly common tradition in the area to pick these bright red, raspberry-like fruits from forests and trails. Their sweet, somewhat tart taste makes them a sought-after ingredient in baking or cocktail recipes, or they can be a quick snack, pulled straight from the bush.
They’re also highly invasive, and experts and plant managers are trying to balance the species’ delectability with their harm to local ecosystems.
For Maryland Department of Natural Resources staff who do a lot of work in invasive plant management, the wineberry’s taste can be a tool for its control. Read more…
Maryland Spring Turkey Hunters Harvest 4,959 Birds
State reports second-highest seasonal harvest on record
Photo by Erik Yetter, submitted to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources photo contest.
Maryland hunters harvested 4,959 wild turkeys during the 2024 spring regular and junior turkey seasons. This year’s harvest was 7% lower than the record amount set last spring, but surpassed the harvest totals from previous seasons. Read more…
Baltimore Project Brings Together Environmental Resilience and Community Development
The Middle Branch Resiliency Initiative could be a model for urban and community-led restoration
The Middle Branch area on the shore of the Patapsco River will be the site of the first phase of a large-scale restoration project. Photo by Joe Zimmermann
Located in the shadow of a Baltimore City hospital, within earshot of the highway, a stretch of waterfront along the Patapsco River may not appear to be a likely place for a living shoreline.
But a community-led environmental partnership is transforming this area, the Hanover Street Wetlands, as the first step in an ambitious initiative for habitat restoration, coastal resilience, community development, and environmental justice.
“It’s right in our backyard,” Peggy Jackson-Jobe, a 49-year resident of the adjacent Cherry Hill neighborhood and the chair of the Cherry Hill Community Coalition. “It gives the residents a beautiful place to go and to be a part of. And it’s great to know we had a hand in what’s evolving right now.”
The Middle Branch Resiliency Initiative is the largest planned coastal resilience initiative in Maryland, aiming to restore more than 50 acres of habitat and 11 miles of shoreline. Hanover Street Wetlands, the first phase of the project, is anticipated to be completed in 2025.
Gardening Without Pesticides: You Have Options!
By Paula Becker
Black swallowtail, photo by Jennifer Fry, submitted to Maryland DNR Photo Contest.
It’s high summer. The morning sun rises with the songbird chorus. Dew glistens on last night’s webs draped on opening blooms. Vegetables swell and ripen. And insects flit about, flying in your mouth when you ride your bike, buzzing in your ears, and chowing down on your expensive landscaping plants. What’s a gardener to do about all these pests? Read more…
Native Animal Profile: Appalachian Cottontails
By Sarah Witcher
 Appalachian Cottontail in Garrett County. Photo by Bill Hubick. |
 Brown Bunny (Eastern Cottontail). Photo by Gwen Neff |
“If you chase two rabbits, you catch none.” ~Confucius
Across the state, spring and summer bring about sightings of one of the most commonly spotted mammals in Maryland — rabbits! These shy, crepuscular creatures from the order Lagomorpha (in other words, they’re not rodents) prefer fields and shrublands but are commonly found in backyards and near homes, even in very urban areas. They are most often observed cautiously foraging in the dusk and dawn hours, using their highly adept senses to stay wary of the many threats to an animal preferred by hungry carnivores. Maryland was historically home to the snowshoe hare (the last recorded sighting was in 1952), but now only supports two species of rabbit: the eastern cottontail and today’s subject, the Appalachian cottontail. Read more…
Connect with Wildlife In Your Community
By Edwin Guevara
Cecropia moth (Hyalophora cecropia) on a blanket during a “Moth Night’ outing.” Photo by Edwin Guevara, Maryland Department of Natural Resources
Are you looking for ways to get out and explore in your area? While it is always fun to go outside on hikes and explore and identify the local flora and fauna using guidebooks, apps, or your own knowledge, sometimes you want to have a bigger assortment of options. Many naturalists contribute to community science through apps like iNaturalist and eBird, along with other enthusiasts and experts in the field — you can read more about nature activity apps in a past edition of HabiChat. This article will provide you information about outdoor activities designed to discover some of the best wildlife Maryland has to offer. Read more…
Native Plant Profile: Maryland Orchids
By Sarah Witcher
Yellow-fringed orchid, photo by Mark Tegges, submitted to the Maryland DNR Photo Contest.
Orchids are a plant species that graces many of our living rooms, is gifted frequently for holidays, and is widely displayed in botanical gardens and home improvement stores. Yet, the handful of species readily available for sale pale in comparison to the many tens of thousands of types of this beautiful flowering plant growing across the globe. Family Orchidaceae is the world’s largest flowering plant family, with members in every climate, some having existed for hundreds of millions of years. Maryland is home to more than 50 species of orchid, a fact that even seasoned naturalists may be surprised to learn! Read more…
Free Pumpout Adapter Kits Available to Maryland Boaters and Marinas
Department develops kit to help keep waters clean
Pumpout stations, like this one at Sandy Point State Park, provide boaters a place to cleanly and safely empty their wastewater. Maryland Department of Natural Resources photo.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources Pumpout Grant Program is offering boat owners and marinas free adapter kits, which department staff developed to help boaters empty holding tanks securely at area pumpout stations.
The kit has a plastic adapter that screws into the existing waste discharge deck fitting on a boat, which is secured by a cam lock found on most pumpout hoses. The free kit also contains instructions, protective gloves, a storage tube, and a QR code to a list of pumpout stations in Maryland.
Maryland residents can request a pumpout adapter kit using an online form. Supplies are limited. Kits are provided with funding from U.S. Fish and Wildlife’s Clean Vessel Act Grant funding and the Maryland Waterway Improvement Fund. Read more…
Maryland Venison Donation Grant Program Seeks Partner Organizations
Funds available for processing venison donated to charity
Maryland DNR photo submitted by Gregory Ragan to Wild Maryland cookbook.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is now accepting applications for partner organizations for the 2024 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 organizations that 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. Read more…
Maryland Fishing Report – May 29
Everleigh Zerance is all smiles with her bluegill. Photo by Kayleigh Zerance
Maryland anglers have a wide choice of fishing adventures this week, whether in the Atlantic Ocean, the Chesapeake Bay, or the fresh waters of our western counties. One thing that many recall is the first fish they caught, which for many was the feisty bluegill sunfish.
Maryland offers license-free fishing days for all state residents and visitors on June 1, June 8, and July 4. These annual events provide anyone a unique opportunity to explore the state’s diverse fishing without needing a fishing license, trout stamp, or registration. It’s a great opportunity for anglers to introduce someone to fishing.
Tenth FishMaryland Master Angler is First Youth Angler to Achieve Milestone
Lucy Moore, 11, awarded for catching diversity of species
Master Angler Lucy Moore with a bluegill. Photo by Nick Perez
Lucy Moore of Cecil County has earned a Master Angler Milestone Award under the Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) FishMaryland program. The award recognizes recreational anglers who catch ten different trophy-sized species of fish in Maryland. Moore, 11, is the tenth Master Angler since the program began in 2019, the first female angler, and the youngest by a decade. (NOTE: Moore’s surname was previously recorded as Perez, however the family has updated her preferred name.) Read more…
Tuckahoe State Park to Host Celebration of National Trails Day June 1
Park to debut new ‘sensory trail’ designed to enhance access
One of the activities along Tuckahoe State Park’s new sensory trail. Maryland Department of Natural Resources photo
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources Office of Outdoor Recreation and Tuckahoe State Park invite the public to celebrate National Trails Day on Saturday, June 1 with a full day of family-friendly programs at the park. Visitors will be invited to take part in activities such as guided walks, prize raffles, a fishing derby, informational displays, archery programs and much more.
The day’s event will kick off at 10 a.m. with a ribbon-cutting for Tuckahoe’s new Lore of the Land: Sensory Trail. This type of trail, planned specifically for people with disabilities and sensory impairments in particular, encourage visitors to use more of their senses, which will benefit all ages and abilities. The easy-to-navigate loop trail provides a series of stations designed to collectively immerse people in a multi-sensory journey. Hikers learn to recognize different sounds, textures and smells along the trail, thereby gaining confidence in their own abilities to interpret the environment at their own pace. Read more…
Marylanders Urged to Follow Safe Boating Practices As Waters Warm, Holiday Weekend Approaches
Maryland Natural Resources Police officers patrol the Severn River. Department of Natural Resources photo.
As Marylanders become much more active on the state’s waterways, Maryland’s Natural Resources Police is reminding waterway users to understand the state’s boating laws and safety requirements. All boaters, paddlers, swimmers, and others should take steps to ensure their safety before heading out on the water.
In 2023, Maryland recorded 123 boating accidents, including 43 with injuries and 11 that were fatal. In four of the past five years, double-digit fatal boating accidents were reported, and more than 90 percent of victims were not wearing a life jacket. Read more…
Maryland Fishing Report – May 22, 2024
Matt Ferenschak has a good reason to smile with this whopper of a Chesapeake channa (snakehead) that he caught in the Middle River. Photo courtesy of Matt Ferenschak
With Memorial Day weekend, the traditional beginning of the summer season is upon us. Remember to take a moment to reflect on those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms, including the ability to enjoy the outdoors with families and friends.
Striped bass season opened with a couple good days until some wind and rain put a damper on weekend fishing. With the return of fair weather, anglers are enjoying a chance to land Maryland’s state fish.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources urges everyone to familiarize themselves with the 2024 striped bass regulations. The DNR website also has a map site link that shows the areas of the Chesapeake Bay where anglers can fish for striped bass as the season progresses. And you can keep up with the latest news and information about striped bass in Maryland.
Maryland offers license-free fishing days for all state residents and visitors on June 1, June 8, and July 4. These annual events provide anyone a unique opportunity to explore the state’s diverse fishing without needing a fishing license, trout stamp, or registration. It’s a great opportunity for anglers to introduce someone to fishing.
Maryland Department of Natural Resources Reports Results from the 2024 Chesapeake Bay Blue Crab Winter Dredge Survey
Photo by Jennifer Dudley, submitted to the 2023 Maryland DNR Photo Contest.
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 (VIMS), estimates 317 million blue crabs in the Chesapeake Bay in 2024, compared to 323 million crabs last year.
The number of spawning age female crabs decreased from 152 million crabs in 2023 to 133 million crabs in 2024, but is still well above the management threshold of 72.5 million crabs. The threshold indicates whether the female crab population is being overfished or not.
Adult male crabs also experienced a slight decrease from 55 million crabs in 2023 to 46 million crabs in 2024.
The number of juvenile crabs in the Chesapeake Bay has been below average for the past four years, but rose to 138 million juvenile crabs in 2024. Blue crab reproduction is naturally variable and influenced by many factors such as oceanic conditions, available nursery habitat, predation, and other environmental impacts. Read more…
Researchers Prepare for Blue Crab Stock Assessment To Help Guide Future Management
Multi-year analysis to look at questions around juvenile recruitment, environmental factors
Crew on the winter dredge survey boat sort through blue crabs found in the Choptank River. Data from this survey will be included in the stock assessment. Photo by Joe Zimmermann, Maryland Department of Natural Resources
A team of researchers is preparing for a large-scale analysis of the blue crab population in the Chesapeake Bay that will help guide future management of the crab fishery and investigate factors that influence the animal’s survival and reproduction.
The stock assessment comes as a response to ongoing questions about the regional population of the iconic crustacean, particularly around the recent juvenile recruitment, or the amount of young crabs in the system. This number has been below average for five consecutive years, including the results of the 2024 blue crab winter dredge survey.
Horseshoe Crabs Begin 2024 Migration onto Maryland Beaches
Maryland Department of Natural Resources photo.
Something ancient is making its way onto the shores of Maryland – the annual spawning migration of horseshoe crabs, Limulus polyphemus.
The migration usually takes place from May through July, and its peak culminates with high tides on or around each full and new moon in May and June. Dating back an estimated 350 million years, this yearly event along the Atlantic coast is believed to be the world’s oldest and largest wildlife migration. Read more…
Cunningham Falls State Park Reopening Houck Area Day Use and Campground Ahead of Schedule
Maryland Department of Natural Resources photo
Cunningham Falls State Park will reopen its William Houck Area for day use on Saturday, May 18, as a sewer line replacement project along Route 77 in Frederick County has been completed ahead of schedule. The Houck campground will reopen on May 23.
The project, spearheaded by Maryland Environmental Service with cooperation from the Maryland State Highway Administration, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and the National Park Service, included the installation of 26 manholes and relining of the aging underground sewer lines that provide service to the William Houck Area of Cunningham Falls State Park and Catoctin Mountain Park. Read more…
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