Natural Resources News
Ladies of Light: Chesapeake Lighthouses and the Women Who Kept Them
Turkey Point; photo David Mielcarek
At a time when water was the most efficient mode of transportation, the lighthouse stood alone, often in isolation in remote, far-off locations. Eighty-two once marked the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, 45 of them in Maryland. Their sole purpose was to guide boats, goods and people to safety.
Today, 24 lighthouses and one replica remain standing in the state. Some are in better shape than others, and many owe their longevity to historians and volunteers, who work tirelessly to preserve these cultural and historic beacons. Read more…
Maryland Park Service Rangers Bring Bald Eagles to the White House
Rehabilitated eagles are ambassadors for environmental action and the Endangered Species Act
Ranger Sarah Milbourne displays rehabilitated Scales & Tales eagle Mo in the Indian Treaty Room of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. Maryland DNR photo
Two winged representatives from the Maryland Park Service attended the White House this month.
Rehabilitated bald eagles Buck and Mo, along with a contingent of Maryland Park Service Rangers, were invited to the White House to celebrate the anniversary of the Endangered Species Act, which was signed into law 50 years ago this week. Read more…
Firearm Hunting for Deer Resumes in Maryland Jan. 5
Season open first weekend of 2024 in most counties
Photo by Sizhu Liu, submitted to the 2019 Maryland DNR Photo Contest.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources will open the January firearm deer hunting season on Jan. 5, 2024 in Deer Management Region B, which includes all of the state except the westernmost counties. Hunters with a valid hunting license may use firearms to harvest sika and white-tailed deer during this season.
The season is open Jan. 5-6 in all of Region B. The season is also open through Sunday, Jan. 7 on private and designated public lands in Cecil, St. Mary’s, Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester counties, and on private lands only in Calvert, Caroline, Carroll, Charles, Dorchester, Frederick, Harford, Kent, Montgomery, Queen Anne’s, Somerset, Talbot, and Washington (Zone 1) counties. Shooting hours end at 10:30 a.m. in Kent, Montgomery, Talbot, and Wicomico counties. Read more…
Youth and Veteran Waterfowl Hunt Event Scheduled for Feb. 3
Applications to participate being taken through Jan. 7
Maryland Department of Natural Resources photo
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), in partnership with the Maryland Sportsmen’s Foundation, is offering a special hunting opportunity for all military veterans and youth hunters aged 11-16.
Participants will be able to hunt select properties in three regions of the state under the guidance of an experienced waterfowl hunter. This special event coincides with the statewide youth, veteran and military waterfowl hunting day on Feb. 3, 2024, and is part of DNR’s efforts to increase recruitment, retention and reactivation of hunters in Maryland. Read more…
Maryland Fishing Report – Winter Preview 2023-24
Black sea bass are a popular cold-weather species, and can be caught in Maryland waters through December 31. Photo by Monty Hawkins
With the start of winter and the end of some fishing seasons, Maryland’s anglers can rest assured that there is plenty of good fishing to be found this season if you know where to look!
Nominations Accepted for 2024 Sport Fisheries Achievement Award
Recognition for conservation, education, and sportsmanship
The Maryland Sport Fisheries Achievement Award plaque at Tawes Building in Annapolis is engraved with each year’s winner. Photo by Anthony Burrows, Maryland Department of Natural Resources
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources and Sport Fisheries Advisory Commission are seeking nominations for the annual Maryland Sport Fisheries Achievement Award, a celebration of conservation, education, and sportsmanship.
This prestigious honor recognizes an individual who has provided sustained efforts in habitat management, conservation, education, research, or other meaningful contributions that benefit fish and recreational fishing in Maryland. Read more…
Cold-Stunning Threatens Aquatic Wildlife – Marylanders Asked to Help
Lethargic sea turtles and marine mammals should be reported to 800-628-9944
A sea turtle that had been cold-stunned but was rescued and rehabilitated is returned to the water by Natural Resources Police in 2020. Maryland DNR photo.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources asks those visiting the Chesapeake Bay or Atlantic Coast to be vigilant of sea turtles who exhibit signs of cold-stunning, a condition that causes animals to become debilitated and experience hypothermia-like symptoms due to prolonged exposure to cold temperatures.
Cold-stunning typically occurs in late autumn and early winter when water temperatures begin to fall or when temperatures drop rapidly in a 24-hour period. Lethargic and unresponsive animals can be a danger to themselves and potentially to boaters. Cold-stunning can ultimately be lethal to certain species, and Stranding Network members respond to thousands of cold-stunned sea turtles along the Atlantic Coast annually. Read more…
Maryland Deer Hunters Conclude Successful Fall Firearm Season
Hunters take 28,236 deer during two-week season
Photo by Olivia Wiley, submitted to the 2019 Maryland DNR Photo Contest.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced that hunters harvested 28,236 deer during the two-week firearm season from Nov. 25 through Dec. 9. The firearms season harvest was 3% lower than last year’s official count of 29,160 deer. Read more…
Annapolis Solar Site Produces Green Energy at Location of Former Landfill
DNR points to project as example for renewable projects in the state
Arrays of solar panels capture up to 12 megawatts of electricity at the Annapolis site. Photo by Joe Zimmermann.
Off Route 450, just outside of Annapolis, there’s an unassuming side road that cuts through a forest.
For almost 40 years, city trash trucks hauled up and down the winding road to a landfill on top of the hill. Then, in 1989, the landfill reached its capacity and was covered, and the site sat quietly for nearly three decades, hidden away behind a stretch of trees.
But now, the hill has a new purpose. Sitting atop the buried landfill are 55,000 solar panels, making up a solar site with an output capacity of 12 megawatts. Read more…
Maryland Forest Service Awards Volunteer Fire Assistance Grants for 2023
Funding provided to 52 volunteer fire departments in 17 counties
Volunteer Fire Assistance grants provide funding for local fire departments to purchase certain types of equipment and training to combat wildland fires. Maryland DNR photo.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Forest Service awarded Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) grants to 52 volunteer fire departments across the state to enhance wildland fire protection in rural communities.
For 2023, the Maryland Forest Service awarded grant funds totaling $149,325 in match funding for $390,502 in total project costs. Generally the grants cover 50 percent of project cost, with a maximum grant award of $3,500 per department. The grants include federal funding provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service.
Wildland firefighting projects and purchases that receive awards include personal protective equipment, fire hoses and related equipment, power tools such as chainsaws or leaf blowers, fire engines and pumping units, utility and all-terrain vehicles, and certain types of training. Read more…
Secretary’s Message – December 2023
Building a team for Maryland’s future
Members of the Secretary’s staff and DNR senior leadership visiting Patapsco Valley State Park, photo by Anthony Burrows, Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
As I conclude my first year at the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, I am grateful for the opportunities that lie ahead for developing a sustainable future. I appreciate Governor Wes Moore, Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller and the entire administration for their support of our mission: To follow the science to protect and enhance our environment so we can improve the quality of life for all Marylanders.
When I started at the agency in January, my first priority was to get to know DNR’s professional staff whose research drives our knowledge and whose efforts put those solutions into action. During the past year, I’ve been continually impressed with their dedication to the protection and restoration of Maryland’s natural resources.
Guiding them at DNR is a senior leadership team that provides management, counsel, and wisdom built up from their long experience at DNR and elsewhere in the public and private sector. Several of our unit directors are historic choices who will fulfill our administration’s goals for diversity and equity. They also bring new voices and important perspectives to our work. Read more…
Preseason Trout Stocking Begins Early in Maryland Waters
Early winter stocking to make room at state’s hatcheries
Maryland DNR photo
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has begun “preseason” stocking with the first of about 290,000 trout in Maryland waters statewide.
This stocking will help coldwater hatcheries reduce overcrowded fish densities caused by record drought conditions this year. The first preseason stockings will be allocated to impoundments, special management, and delayed harvest streams providing ice fishing and catch-and-release fishing opportunities through winter and into the spring. Read more…
First Day Hikes Scheduled for 2024 New Year’s Weekend
First Day Hike at Patapsco Valley State Park, photo by Maryland DNR
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) invites all Marylanders to take a First Day Hike — the annual tradition for a fun, healthy way to welcome the New Year.
Maryland State Parks will be offering First Weekend hike opportunities across the state from December 31, 2023 – January 2, 2024. First Day Hikes are part of a nationwide initiative led by America’s State Parks that encourages all 50 states to offer outdoor hiking opportunities to kick off the year. Read more…
Maryland Fishing Report – December 6
Chain pickerel, photo by Eric Packard
Welcome to December, there are some wonderful fishing opportunities to be found this week for many anglers fishing close to home. The chain pickerel stands out for pure fun and excitement.
This will be the final weekly Maryland Fishing Report for 2023. We will be checking in with occasional winter reports and look forward to starting again weekly in spring. On behalf of all of us at DNR, we wish you a joyful holiday season and a healthy and happy 2024!
As a reminder, striped season in the Chesapeake Bay and tributaries closes Saturday, December 10. Look for the Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ announcement of seasons and limits for 2024 sometime over the winter. In response to five years of below average spawning success for striped bass, DNR is submitting emergency regulations to help bolster the species’ spawning population. We all share the goal of making sure striped bass fishing is available for future generations of Marylanders.
Maryland’s Muzzleloader Deer Hunting Resumes December 16
Photo by Ranger Elena Gilroy, Maryland Department of Natural Resources
The second half of Maryland’s muzzleloader deer hunting season will reopen Dec. 16 and run through Dec. 30. The first half of the split season was held in October. Hunters may use muzzleloading firearms to harvest sika and white-tailed deer during this time. Read more…
Four Living Shoreline Projects Enhance Climate Resilience in Anne Arundel County
Projects funded through the Department of Natural Resource’s ‘Resiliency Through Restoration’ Initiative
Deale Beach living shoreline, photo by Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recently helped complete four living shoreline projects in Anne Arundel County that are designed to protect communities from erosion and flooding. These projects represent small and large scale restoration efforts through the department’s Resiliency through Restoration Initiative. Read more…
Maryland Natural Resources Police Graduates Class of 2023
The newest members of the Maryland Natural Resources Police, graduates of the 64th Basic Recruit Class. Photo by Fran Gower, Maryland Department of Natural Resources
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources Police (NRP) welcomed 14 new officers following graduation of its 64th Basic Recruit Class on November 30.
Maryland Department of Natural Resources Secretary Josh Kurtz addressed the 14 new officers at their graduation ceremony at Patuxent Research Refuge in Laurel.
“Congratulations to the hard-working men and women who have diligently trained to reach this point,” Secretary Kurtz said. “As Natural Resources Police Officers, they are now officially part of the team that ensures the wildlife, fish, and the public lands we enjoy are conserved and protected for generations to come.” Read more…
Maryland’s Deer Firearm Season Opens with 7% Increase in Harvest
Cooler weather prevails in opening weekend of two-week hunt
Sika deer in the marsh, photo by Earl Blansfield, submitted to Maryland DNR Photo Contest.
Hunters reported harvesting 10,864 deer on the opening weekend of the 2023 Maryland firearm season from Nov. 25-26, according to data collected by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. The overall deer harvest was 7% higher than last year’s official opening weekend harvest of 10,159 deer.
The harvest total included 5,617 antlered and 4,880 antlerless white-tailed deer, and 193 antlered and 174 antlerless sika deer. The two-week deer firearm season runs through Dec. 9. Read more…
Maryland Fishing Report – November 29
Black sea bass, photo by Monty Hawkins.
The weather is getting colder but if you bundle up there is plenty of good fishing to be had throughout Maryland. One example is fishing offshore of Ocean City, where anglers are catching limits of hefty black sea bass.
In response to five years of below average spawning success for striped bass, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources is submitting emergency regulations to help bolster the species’ spawning population. This includes extending closure dates during the 2024 season. These changes, if formally approved, will close the May trophy season. While recent research has suggested that environmental factors, such as warm winters and low water flows, are significant factors influencing spawning success, DNR scientists and fishery managers believe it is critical to take additional measures to reduce fishing mortality associated with harvest along with fish that die after being caught and released. We all share the goal of making sure striped bass fishing is available for future generations of Marylanders.
Maryland Department of Natural Resources Presents Emergency Regulations to Increase Protections for Maryland’s Striped Bass Spawning Population
DNR biologists survey and tag striped bass in the northern reaches of the Chesapeake Bay as part of the annual spring survey of the spawning population. Photo by Stephen Badger, Maryland Department of Natural Resources
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is submitting striped bass emergency regulations this week in an effort to bolster the species’ spawning population. These Maryland-specific actions will complement additional actions that will be implemented coastwide in 2024 by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission. Read more…
Chesapeake Bay 2023 Final Hypoxia Report
This summer’s dissolved oxygen levels in the Chesapeake Bay were much better than previous years
Water monitoring data collected by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Old Dominion University show that dissolved oxygen conditions in the Chesapeake Bay mainstem of Maryland and Virginia were much better than average for May-October 2023.
The hypoxic water volume — waters with less than 2 milligrams per liter (mg/l) oxygen — averaged 0.52 cubic miles during May-October 2023, compared to the historical average (1985-2022) of 0.97 cubic miles. This year had the lowest average hypoxic volume since monitoring began 39 years ago. Read more…
Maryland Forest Service Wraps Up Successful Seed Collection
Thousands of pounds of seeds will help grow next generation of Maryland trees
Frederick County Girl Scout Troop 37025 displaying the chestnut oak acorns they collected. Photo by Katie Hager.
The Maryland Forest Service and the John S. Ayton State Forest Tree Nursery have completed a successful seed collection to grow the next generation of native trees and shrubs in the state.
The collection brought in thousands of pounds of seeds, berries and nuts, from white oak to witch hazel, for planting in the Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ state nursery in Preston, Caroline County. The nursery grows those seeds into bare-root tree seedlings, which are then used in tree plantings across the state.
With new staff hired under Maryland’s 5 Million Trees Initiative and an effective outreach campaign, the Forest Service was able to ramp up this year’s effort to support the state nursery. The campaign inspired a considerable public response, and community volunteers were critical to the success of the project.
Maryland Fishing Report – November 22
Herb Floyd took a break from fishing for striped bass and enjoyed some great chain pickerel action. Photo courtesy of Herb Floyd
The Thanksgiving holiday gives us all a chance to reflect on all the things we are grateful to have. Family and friends always top the list, and for many of us they are followed by the opportunities we have to enjoy the outdoors.
FishMaryland Master Angler Award Presented to Jason Paugh of Garrett County
FishMaryland Master Angler Jason Paugh with a largemouth bass. Photo courtesy of Jason Paugh
Jason Paugh, of Red House, this month became the fourth Master Angler awarded under the Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ FishMaryland program. The highest award in the program recognizes the skill and determination required to catch ten trophy-size fish species in Maryland that all meet the minimum award sizes.
Paugh reached this milestone award by catching a largemouth bass (21.25 inches), smallmouth bass (20 inches), crappie (16.75 inches), northern pike (47.25 inches), chain pickerel (25.25 inches), rock bass (10.75 inches), yellow perch (14.25 inches), carp (38 inches), bluegill (11 inches), and wild brook trout (12.25 inches). Read more…
Maryland’s ‘Gift of Trees’ Provides a Legacy of Stewardship
Maryland Forest Service staff and community volunteers plant trees purchased through the Gift of Trees program in a Baltimore City park this fall. Photo by Gregg Bortz, Maryland Department of Natural Resources
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is offering holiday shoppers a different type of gift this year–one that can be in honor of a loved one, to benefit future generations, and improve the environment.
The Gift of Trees is a program where Marylanders purchase native trees — either a single tree or a grove of 10 trees—for planting in honor of a celebration, commemoration, or observation.
The department will issue and mail a Gift of Trees certificate, which can be framed, within a week or two of an order. All trees will be planted in the next growing season, either spring or fall, to promote optimal growth and survival. Orders must be placed by Dec. 17 to ensure certificate delivery in time for Christmas. Read more…
Maryland’s Deer Firearms Hunting Opens Nov. 25
Popular season helps significantly to manage the deer population
Photo by Steve Edwards, submitted to Maryland DNR photo contest.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced that the two-week firearms hunting season for sika and white-tailed deer opens Saturday, Nov. 25 and runs through Saturday, Dec. 9.
The two-week season includes Sunday hunting in all but three counties, affording hunters more weekend opportunities to hunt and contribute to managing Maryland’s deer population. Read more…
Fall Foliage Report: November 16
“How beautifully leaves grow old. How full of light and color are their last days.” – George Burns
A few remaining orange and russet leaves hold on tightly during fall’s final days at the King and Queen Seat at Rocks State Park. Photo by Administrative Specialist David Gigliotti.
Fall foliage in Maryland this year was unpredictable yet still delighted with breathtaking fall color, even if it was short-lived in some areas of the state. We began the season discussing possible leaf outcomes from this summer’s drought, and Marylanders in some regions certainly saw their share of premature leaf drop and subdued fall hues. The pace of leaf changes picked up markedly toward season’s end, with some of our Western Maryland foresters seeing changes in as little as 48 hours. As fall foliage draws to a close, our state foresters and park rangers – many of whom were first-time contributors to this report – summarize the season from their unique viewpoint in each region and show current foliage conditions across the state. For those of us who love (or hate) the winter, we’re including our predictions for the coldest months of the year as well. Read more…
Maryland Fishing Report – November 15
Sara LaMonica is all smiles with this large crappie she caught at Prettyboy Reservoir recently. Photo courtesy of Sara LaMonica
The weather is a bit chilly, but the fishing remains good. Anglers can be seen switching their footwear from sneakers to waterproof and insulated boots and warmer outdoor clothes.
One Year In, DNR Scientists Monitor a More Natural Way to Protect a Shoreline
Living shoreline project at Franklin Point State Park aims to control erosion and promote marsh habitat
Maryland Department of Natural Resources staff count off saltmarsh hay stalks in a quadrat at the Franklin Point State Park living shoreline. Photo by Joe Zimmermann.
The plot seemed to have vanished. Though the GPS indicated the site was within feet, there was no sign of it, and the team worried they had mistaken it for another area already collected, one long march through the tall reeds ago.
Then, Sarah Hilderbrand, a senior restoration specialist with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, yelled out, “I see it!”—and there it was, a thin white PVC pipe nestled in the mess of reeds, barely noticeable.
The team, made up of DNR Chesapeake and Coastal Service staff, got to work. They laid down a white quadrat frame and started counting off the species of plants they saw there, the density of vegetation, the height of stalks, the sediment type and the elevation.
They were part of a project to actively monitor the living shoreline built at Franklin Point State Park, which sits along the Chesapeake Bay in Anne Arundel County. This is one of the first projects of its kind to collect before-and-after data on how the anti-erosion efforts are protecting the landscape while providing a healthy marsh habitat. It was built through a partnership with Arundel Rivers Federation, an Anne Arundel County environmental organization. Read more…
Maryland DNR Announces 2024-2025 Migratory Game Bird Stamp Design Contest Winner
Towson Artist Wins 50th and Final Design Contest
Jim Taylor’s illustration, “May They Always Fly,” won the 50th Annual Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp Design Contest. Image courtesy Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is pleased to announce that Jim Taylor of Towson won the 50th Annual Migratory Game Bird Stamp Design Contest. Taylor is now one of two six-time winners. Read more…
New DNR Project Raises Freshwater Mussels in a Mobile Lab
The Mobile Mussel Propagation Trailer cultivates mussels to restore populations in the Susquehanna River basin
Lena Sawyers, a natural resources technician, points out the trailer’s fish setup of fish tanks to DNR Deputy Secretary David Goshorn. Photo by Joe Zimmermann, Maryland DNR.
A new Maryland Department of Natural Resources project is aiming to raise imperiled freshwater mussels and restore them to waters of the Susquehanna River basin—all from the back of a trailer.
DNR’s Mobile Mussel Propagation Trailer began operations this October. It’s currently parked in Susquehanna State Park and is raising juvenile mussels from the Susquehanna River, where the mollusks play an important role in filtering water, just as oysters do in saltwater. Read more…
Where Native Plants and Food Gardening Meet
by Sarah Witcher
“The garden suggests there might be a place where we can meet nature halfway.” ~ Michael Pollan
For gardeners with limited real estate, the decision between food gardening and using native plants can be tricky. Many of us got into gardening thanks to the immense satisfaction of planting and nurturing something we can put on our tables. There is nothing quite like the feeling of self-sufficiency and connection to the land brought by food gardening. I’ll never forget reading Animal, Vegetable, Miracle – a book by Barbara Kingsolver, describing her year-long experiment with growing and farming a majority of the food her family required on just one acre of land. That said, so many popular food plants are not native to Maryland – like carrots, broccoli, romaine lettuce, cucumber, apples, watermelon, and asparagus, for example. So, if you like planting natives to support wildlife AND eating the fruits of your gardening labor, what’s a Maryland gardener to do? The answer: plant native food crops!
The Eastern prickly pear (Opuntia humifusa)
The list of edible native plants is lengthy and full of numerous species that have been all but forgotten. Generations of indigenous Americans farmed, foraged, and nurtured plants that wildlife also needed. Much of the generational knowledge of how to collect and prepare native plants has been buried – but is being rediscovered. Interested in native food gardening? Here are a few species to get you started, including a low-grower, a shrub, and a tree: Read more…
Native Animal Profile: North American Porcupine
Photo by Nathaniel Peck, submitted to the 2023 Maryland DNR Photo Contest.
The subject of this native animal could come right out of a horror movie! It only comes out at night; it has barbed, dagger-like spikes all over its body; its huge, orangey-red front teeth are sharp enough to chisel into wood; and its courtship shrieks and groans are truly the stuff of nightmares. The North American porcupine is our second-largest rodent (after beavers), weighing in at as much as 20-35 pounds in older individuals. Read more…
Supporting Bats With Gardening
Little Brown Bat by DNR Biologist Megan Zagorski.
Many of us have put a lot of time and energy into gardening for pollinators – but have you considered gardening for bats?
An often underappreciated and misunderstood group, bats in Maryland are important to the balance of our local ecosystems. Our 10 native species consume a vast quantity of insects, including many agricultural pests that plague food crops. Some studies estimate the services bats provide to farmers are worth more than $3.7 billion per year in the United States. Just one little brown bat, for example, can easily catch 1,000 mosquito-sized insects in an hour, providing an undeniably immense value to our communities. Besides eating bugs, bats also provide support for other species through their guano, a valuable natural fertilizer. Read more…
Invasive Plants in Your ‘Backyard’
Guest Author: Joel Cockerham, Natural Resources Technician
Hello Habichatters! File this under “notes from the field,” in which we give you a peek into the daily challenges and triumphs of managing a rare ecosystem. And we’ll share how you can help us manage the invasive species in our backyard with the choices you make for your backyard.
A landscape of invasive plants at Soldier’s Delight with Wavyleaf basketgrass carpeting the forest floor, two autumn olive bushes in the foreground. Maryland DNR photo
Soldiers Delight Natural Environment Area in Owings Mills is home to a rare ecosystem, the serpentine barrens. Also called an oak savanna, this tall grassland (and the surrounding forests) supports more than 30 rare plant and animal species! Several thousand years ago, this ecosystem formed in the presence of fire, started either by lightning strikes or by the indigenous people. Species that survive this type of disturbance are called fire-tolerant. One of the most interesting and challenging tasks we perform at Soldier’s Delight is to mimic these historic fires by conducting prescribed burns, also known as controlled burns. Fire serves two purposes: it removes any buildup of organic material that would change the unique soil composition; and it knocks back any invading non-native, fire-intolerant plant species. Read more…
Secretary’s Message – November 2023
Maryland takes the lead on Chesapeake Bay restoration
Sec. Kurtz observes an experimental floating wetland at the National Aquarium in Baltimore Harbor, which is being expanded to demonstrate the water quality and habitat benefits of wetlands. Maryland Department of Natural Resources photo.
It’s time for Maryland to re-assert itself as an innovator and leader on strategies to improve the health of the Chesapeake Bay.
In October, Governor Wes Moore was unanimously elected to serve as chair of the bipartisan, multi-state Chesapeake Executive Council, the primary policy and leadership body of the formal Chesapeake Bay Partnership’s effort to restore the Bay. That month, I was also appointed to chair the Council’s Principal Staff Committee, which sets the agenda and briefs the Council.
The Council consists of governors from the Chesapeake Bay states, the D.C. Mayor, and EPA officials. During the next year, the Council will re-evaluate Bay cleanup plans and ensure states are implementing the most effective ways to reduce agricultural and urban stormwater runoff–the great pollution challenge facing the Chesapeake. As Governor Moore has stressed, a key part of this effort will include improving our partnerships and holding each other accountable to ensure progress is happening. Read more…
Maryland Reports 2023 Early Deer Season Results
Deer hunting opportunities still abound for the rest of the year
Photo by Rida Allen, submitted to Maryland DNR Photo Contest.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources reports that hunters harvested 16,607 deer during the early portion of the 2023 archery and muzzleloader seasons. The harvest was an 18% decrease from last year’s official harvest of 20,267 deer for the same period.
The annual deer harvest fluctuates from year to year for a number of reasons, including hunter effort, weather conditions, availability of natural foods like acorns, and current population size of the herd. Less than ideal weather conditions for part of the early season and abundant acorns in many areas, which reduces deer mobility making them harder to hunt, contributed to the decline this year. Read more…
Fall Foliage Report, November 9, 2023
“Autumn…the year’s last, loveliest smile.” – William Cullen Bryant
Bold shades of red and copper are perfectly framed between blue skies and tranquil waters in Montgomery County. Photo by Tim Mohr.
Fall foliage season is coming to a close in Maryland and we’ve had plenty of sunshine and clear blue skies to take in some amazing views across the state. Leaf drop is significant, and our forest floors and park trails are providing colorful pathways to views otherwise unseen during the warmer months. We begin this week’s report from the south and east where visitors can still catch autumn’s best and final curtain call. Read more…
Maryland Fishing Report – November 8
Steve Kartalia holds up a beautiful smallmouth bass before releasing it back into the waters of the upper Potomac River. Photo by Bob Easton
Fall colors are at peak in much of Maryland, and the mild weather has made outdoor recreation like fishing a wonderful experience.
Maryland Hunters Harvest 103 Black Bears for 2023 Season
Warm weather prevailed for most of the hunt, but harvest remains steady
Photo by Mitch Adolph, submitted to Maryland DNR 2023 Photo Contest.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources reported that hunters harvested 103 black bears during the state’s 20th annual black bear hunt held Oct. 23-28 in Allegany, Frederick, Garrett, and Washington counties. The harvest consisted of 40 male and 63 female bears. An additional nine bears (four male and five female) were harvested between September 1 and October 31 by farmers utilizing agricultural damage permits.
Despite warm daytime temperatures and abundant natural foods in the woods – which means that bears travel less and are therefore not as easy to spot – hunters were able to harvest the same number of bears during the 2023 season as they did during the 2022 season. The daily harvest stayed consistent throughout the weeklong season and many hunters contributed their success to locating hickory or white oak stands. The 2023 harvest was slightly lower than the previous 5-year average of 111 bears. Read more…
Black Bear Hunt Aims To Maintain Maryland’s Bear Population
The top predator, once abundant and later endangered in the state, is now at a healthy level
A black bear approaches a camera trap. Photo by Nathaniel Peck.
Black bear populations have risen in Maryland in recent decades and are now at a level that state biologists consider healthy.
To maintain a large enough black bear population that enables bears to sustainably reproduce while mitigating potential conflicts with humans, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources has managed a limited bear hunt for the past 20 years.
“Black bears are the top of the food chain here in Maryland. They’re the largest omnivore,” said Jonathan Trudeau, black bear biologist with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. “They have no natural predators in the region to mitigate their population growth and keep the population in check. The only thing that does is humans.”’
Maryland’s Junior Deer Hunt Opens November 11
Hunt offers prime time for adult hunters to pass on traditions
Photo by Matthew Doged, submitted to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources photo contest.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources encourages experienced deer hunters to take advantage of the upcoming Junior Deer Hunting Days to introduce young people to this time-honored cultural and sporting tradition.
The Junior Deer Hunt is open on private and designated public land in all counties on November 11. The season is also open on Sunday, November 12 on private land in all counties except Baltimore, Howard, and Prince George’s. Also on November 12, junior hunters in Allegany, Cecil, Garrett, St. Mary’s, and Washington counties, may hunt on designated public lands. Read more…
Researchers Enlist Community Help in Studying Increase of Ticks in Western Maryland
Frostburg State University is working with the Department of Natural Resources to study the spread of ticks and provide more community information
Frostburg State Students Sarah and Alex test ticks for Lyme disease as part of the “Tick Talk” program being led by Frostburg in partnership with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Photo by AJ Metcalf, Maryland DNR.
Ticks were once rare in Western Maryland, but the disease-carrying arachnids are on the rise in the region.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources and Frostburg State University are working together on an initiative to study the rising prevalence of ticks and Lyme disease in western Maryland.
Rebekah Taylor, associate professor and chairwoman for the biology department at Frostburg State University, said ticks were not a concern in Western Maryland when she was growing up there. But things have changed. She started studying ticks after her son contracted Lyme disease. Read more…
Fall Foliage Report November 2, 2023
“It looked like the world was covered in a cobbler crust of brown sugar and cinnamon.” — Sarah Addison Allen, from the novel “First Frost”
Photo by Vincent C., Prince George’s County.
Blink and you might miss it. Peak fall color that is. Some reports out of western Maryland this week describe past peak conditions, and foresters and park rangers in other regions of the state also report rapid changes, with tree canopies transforming from mostly green to brilliant shades of yellow, orange and red often in as little as 48 hours. A strong cold front at the beginning of the week brought a sweeping wind into the forests and mountain ranges, resulting in a colorful forest floor and a lot of nearly bare trees. Time is of the essence for those wanting to capture autumn’s glory before it’s gone. Read more…
Natural Resources Police Toy Drive Returns for 2023 Holiday Season
Donation locations statewide to help give a ‘Boatload of Toys’ to Maryland children
Maryland Department of Natural Resources photo
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources Police is conducting its annual “Boatload of Toys” drive at several locations. Natural Resources Police officers are collecting donations of new, unopened toys for children in need. The program is part of the national United States Marine Corps Toys for Tots initiative.
Members of NRP’s volunteer Reserve Officer program and staff will collect the toys at drop-off locations in each region of the state–southern, eastern, central, and western. New additions to the program this year include an increase in donation drop off points and a partnership with Amazon, which is offering Marylanders the opportunity to donate a toy online via a Toys for Tots Registry hosted on Amazon’s platform. Donations can be easily added to an Amazon cart, choosing the “NRP Safety Education Unit” gift registry address that is listed. Read more…
Investigating Stream Health with the Maryland Biological Stream Survey
Department of Natural Resources scientists look for several different indicators to evaluate the overall health of Maryland streams–here’s how they do it
How can the Maryland Department of Natural Resources tell whether a stream is healthy or degraded? State scientists start by looking for critters.
Every year scientists from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources crisscross the state with notebooks, nets, and other equipment looking for insects and other wildlife as part of the Maryland Biological Stream Survey. The scientists collect and analyze bugs, fish, and other indicator species to develop a score that can show whether a stream is biologically healthy or not.
On a crisp fall day in October, as part of DNR’s Science Week, several scientists from the stream surveying team demonstrated how the process works at a tributary stream of the Patapsco River in Ellicott City.
It starts with the benthic macroinvertebrates. These are aquatic animals such as mayflies, caddisflies, dragonflies, stoneflies, and crayfish. Their presence in a stream is one factor that can indicate healthy stream water quality.
DNR Biologist Jackie Sivalia demonstrates to Secretary Josh Kurtz how a D-Net is used to catch macroinvertebrates, and explains how they help her and other scientists evaluate the overall health of the stream.
Maryland Fishing Report – November 1
Amy Fradiska holds up a largemouth bass she caught and released recently. Photo courtesy Amy Fradiska
The colors of fall are all around, water temperatures are cooler, and it is a wonderful time to go fishing for a variety of freshwater, Bay, and marine fish.
The Baltimore Ravens and Coca-Cola Teamed Up with the Department of Natural Resources and City of Baltimore to Plant and Maintain Trees at Chinquapin Run
Maryland Department of Natural Resources Forest Service staff stand with Baltimore Ravens mascot Poe in Chinquapin Park, Baltimore. Photo by Anne Gilbert, Maryland Department of Natural Resources
Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott, along with city council members and several Ravens players, cheer squad members, and community volunteer staff helped plant 30 trees and maintain dozens of others in the community of Chinquapin Park-Belvedere this week. City Council President Nick Mosby, Councilman Mark Conway, Ravens players Tyler Ott, Tyler Linderbaum, Jeremy Lucien, Tykeem Doss, and Tashawn Manning, plus members of the Ravens’ cheer squad Jessica A. and Blake E. were on hand to take part in this urban forestry stewardship effort in the streamside park. Read more…
Tools of the Trade: Water Quality Sondes
Department of Natural Resources scientists monitor Maryland’s waters to determine the habitat health for fish, crabs, oysters, and other aquatic organisms. Results from our monitoring programs measure the current status of waterways, tell us whether they are improving or degrading, and help to assess and guide resource management and restoration actions. Information is collected on nutrient (nitrogen and phosphorus) and sediment concentrations, algal blooms, and physical, biological, and chemical properties of the water. While many water samples are taken and analyzed later at a laboratory, modern instruments called water quality sondes allow for the immediate collection of some parameters. Read more…
Youth, Veteran, and Military Waterfowl Hunting Days Announced for 2023-24
Maryland Department of Natural Resources photo
Maryland’s youth hunters, veterans, and military personnel will be afforded a great opportunity to experience the tradition of waterfowl hunting on two special hunt days: Nov. 4, 2023 and Feb. 3, 2024. Read more…
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