Natural Resources News
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…
Members Sought to Join DNR’s Sport Fisheries Advisory Commission
Along with advising the Department of Natural Resources on recreational fishing matters, the Sport Fisheries Advisory Commission selects annual recipients of a lifetime Sport Fisheries Achievement Award. Maryland DNR photo.
Applications are being accepted for the Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ Sport Fisheries Advisory Commission, which represent the interests of various recreational fisheries-related constituencies and stakeholders. Nine seats out of 17 total on the commission are currently available; membership is open to individuals from across the state.
The commissioners are appointed by the governor, and they advise the director of Fishing and Boating Services on all matters brought to the commission related to sport fisheries throughout the state. Meetings are currently held quarterly. Read more…
‘Women on the Water’ Fishing and Boating Workshop Welcomes New and Returning Anglers
Attendees at the 2024 Women on the Water event receiving instruction on tying fishing line. Maryland DNR photo.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is hosting “Women on the Water,” a free introductory workshop on boating and fishing for women and girls 12 and older, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on May 7 at Seneca Creek State Park. While designed for women and girls, this program is open to anyone 12 and older. Registration is available now on the “Women on the Water” event page.
New or returning boaters and anglers can receive information about boating opportunities followed by fishing and kayaking instruction. Department staff will provide fishing gear for the event and teach the basics of fish identification, rigging a rod, and casting techniques. Read more…
Maryland DNR 2025 Photo Contest is Underway!
2024 DNR Photo Contest Winner and First Place Spring – Green Heron in the Gardens by Debby Berlyne.
Photographers and nature enthusiasts are invited to submit their most beautiful images of the state’s flora and fauna to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources 2025 Photo Contest.
As in past years, winning entries will be featured on the next Maryland DNR nature calendar to be published in late fall, and all winners will receive free copies. The contest is judged by season: winter, spring, summer, and fall. First, second, and third place winners are selected for each seasonal category. A grand prize winner is selected from that group. Cash awards are $700 for the grand prize winner, and $100 for each seasonal first place winner. All first place winners receive a one-year Maryland State Park and Trail Passport. Read more…
Maryland Fishing Report – April 30
Ivanna Harshman holds up a nice tautog she caught in the Ocean City Inlet recently. Photo by Mary Harshman
This week holds promise for anglers across Maryland from the western mountains to the Atlantic Ocean. Warmer weather makes being outdoors – and especially fishing – a fun experience.
Maryland’s Nontidal Fishing License Fees Increase June 1
New fees based on inflation expected to sustain services for anglers
Fishing at Cunningham Falls State Park. Maryland Department of Natural Resources photo.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is implementing changes to nontidal fishing license and trout stamp fees effective June 1, 2025. This represents the first adjustment to nontidal–or freshwater fishing–fees in almost 20 years, addressing the rising costs of maintaining conservation efforts and angler programs in the face of inflation.
Maryland’s freshwater fishing licenses follow DNR’s user-pay, public-benefit model, in which license revenue directly and specifically supports the programs and resources that support nontidal fishing such as trout stocking and fish population assessments.
The price of a Maryland nontidal fishing license has not changed for 18 years, while the expenses associated with maintaining fish populations and resources have risen 56% for nontidal fishing. The cost of a trout stamp has remained the same for 33 years. In that time, the cost of providing trout-related programs has increased by 129%. Read more…
Offshore Blind and Shoreline Licensing for Maryland Riparian Landowners Open Though May 31
Photo by Jake McPherson, Ducks Unlimited, used with permission by Maryland DNR.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Wildlife and Heritage Service is now accepting waterfowl offshore blind and shoreline license applications for riparian (waterfront) property owners.
Riparian property owners may license their shoreline to establish offshore stationary blinds or blind sites for hunting waterfowl, and/or prevent others from licensing and hunting the shoreline at a later date. Owners can also grant permission for others to license their shoreline. Read more…
Maryland Park Service Launches ‘25 in 2025’ Adventure Challenge
Visitors to Maryland State Parks this year have a chance to win prizes such as a year-long admission pass and camping experiences by completing 25 parks-related challenges in 2025.
The Maryland Park Service 25 in 2025 Adventure Challenge encourages visitors to find and photograph special scenic and historic features in several state parks. Visitors can register for the challenge and submit their photos online for a chance to win prizes.
Anyone can participate; registration is only required for those entering the prize drawing. Register through www.shopdnr.com. Adventurers will need to pay entrance fees for any park they visit; the Park Service offers annual passes online at www.shopdnr.com. Read more…
Prince George’s County Fifth Grader Wins Maryland Arbor Day Poster Contest – And 15 Trees for Capitol Heights Elementary
State Comptroller Brooke Lierman and Department of Natural Resources Secretary Josh Kurtz stand with the top three winning entries of the 2025 Maryland Fifth Grade Arbor Day Poster contest. Maryland DNR photo.
Kaliyah Thorpe of Capitol Heights Elementary School in Prince George’s County won first place in the 2025 Maryland Fifth Grade Arbor Day Poster Contest, sponsored by the Maryland Forest Service.
The annual event challenges fifth graders across the state to use their creativity, crafting artful posters capturing a terrific tree-related theme. The 2025 theme was “Trees Are Terrific … And Forests Are Too.”
Thorpe and runners up will receive a Smokey Bear gift package, as well as a tree planting at their school – 15 trees for first, 10 for second and five for third.
Entries were judged by a panel including Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Secretary Josh Kurtz and Maryland Comptroller Brooke Lierman. Read more…
Maryland Fishing Report – April 23
Vincent Tucciarella holds up a large specimen that he caught in the lower Susquehanna River recently. Photo courtesy of Vincent Tucciarella
Warm springtime temperatures not only provide us with comfortable outdoor activities, but rising air temperatures and bright sunlight also warm our Maryland waters and cause many fish to become more active. The Chesapeake Channa, commonly known as the northern snakehead, is one of those fish that is responding to the weather.
The Cooperative Oxford Laboratory is hosting an open house April 26 in conjunction with Oxford Day, where you can stop by and talk to Maryland Department of Natural Resources biologists. Bring the family for a fun day in Oxford – you don’t want to miss the parade down Main Street.
Board of Public Works Approves $15.7 Million for Recreation and Land Conservation in Baltimore, Carroll, Montgomery and Other Counties
Funding from DNR’s Program Open Space will enable Baltimore County to purchase waterfront property for a new park and help Carroll County improve three parks
Located on the northern end of St. Mary’s County, the Huntersville Rural Legacy Area includes 12 miles of Patuxent River shoreline. Patuxent Tidewater Land Trust will get funding to conserve 136 acres of forested land and protect more than a mile of forested stream buffers. Maryland DNR photo.
The Board of Public Works today approved more than $15.7 million in grants to local governments and land trusts from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to improve recreational opportunities and protect land with perpetual conservation easements.
More than $14.2 million in Program Open Space – Local funding was approved for 12 projects including several in Baltimore, Carroll, and Montgomery counties. Read more…
Maryland DNR Welcomes Public Input to Help Shape the Future of Parks and Preserved Land
Staff will be on hand at family-friendly Earth Day events around Maryland
Photo by Ranger Melissa Acuti, Maryland Department of Natural Resources
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is offering a series of free public workshops taking place at Earth Day events throughout the state later this month. Guests can learn about Maryland’s unique geographies and share their thoughts to shape the priorities of Maryland’s parks and preserved lands. Read more…
Another Way to Hunt Deer: Join the Springtime Search For Shed Antlers
A set of matching antlers from a Maryland white-tailed deer. Photo by Nick Stonesifer, Maryland DNR.
For those exploring Maryland’s outdoors this spring, the time is right for some great treasure hunting for the off-white tines of antlers left behind on the leafbed covering the forest floor. Shed antlers appear more frequently this time of year as white-tailed and sika deer drop their antlers after the breeding season.
For hunters, families, and other outdoor enthusiasts alike, shed hunting is an enjoyable way to spend time outdoors between seasons. With success comes a rewarding prize, as shed antlers may be collected and possessed at any time without a permit. They also tell a lot about the area in which they are found, and about the deer from which they were cast. Chances are that areas with shed antlers are a popular corridor used by deer, whether it’s a bedding area, travel route, or feeding site. Read more…
Live Staking: How To Plant Hundreds of Trees Fast, Using Branches from Your Backyard
Technique takes advantage of tree biology—try it in these wet areas
Participants in an environmental workforce training program snap branches off a dogwood to create live stakes. Parts of the branches will be planted as new trees. Photo by Winn Brewer/DNR
Trees are a great tool for restoration—they store carbon, provide habitat for wildlife, and prevent erosion with their root systems.
But some types of trees hold a trick within their biology that makes them even more effective, a kind of shortcut that allows people to quickly fill an area with new plantings. Read more…
Maryland Fishing Report – April 16
Kai Archer enjoyed trout fishing on the upper Patuxent River recently and caught this trophy rainbow trout. Photo courtesy of Kai Archer
There are many fishing opportunities in Maryland this week for angler of all ages, from excellent trout fishing provided by generous stockings, to many different freshwater species becoming active statewide, to surf and offshore fishing in the Ocean City area.
Greenbrier State Park to Close Briefly for Major Improvement Project
The Maryland Park Service will temporarily close Greenbrier State Park from May 5-9 as contractors repave the entrance road as part of ongoing upgrades to the park’s front entrance and contact station. These upgrades will help reduce traffic backups on busy weekends and holidays. Read more…
Get Hooked on Blue Catfish! Comprehensive List of 2025 Blue Catfish Fishing Tournaments in Maryland
Maryland Department of Natural Resources photo
Maryland anglers can do their part to help the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem by catching and removing blue catfish from waterways. These nonnative fish are top predators that consume native species such as blue crabs, white perch, and menhaden. Avid anglers looking to put their skills to the test can register for tournaments and try to catch the biggest and most blue catfish in Maryland this year.
There are no fishing restrictions on blue catfish. They can grow to tremendous sizes – the 82-pound state record has stood unbroken since 2012. These tournaments provide a chance for bragging rights and to win prizes. Whether anglers are looking to stuff coolers with wild-caught Maryland seafood or compete for prize money, angling for blue catfish can be rewarding. Read more…
Funds Available for Outdoor Recreation Opportunities in Maryland through Federal Land and Water Conservation Fund
Program provides individual grants up to $2 million; webinar for applicants scheduled April 17
Photo by Ink Byers, submitted to the 2014 Maryland DNR Photo Contest.
The Maryland Department of the Natural Resources (DNR) is now accepting preliminary applications for the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund grant program.
This funding opportunity allows local governments with eligible projects to apply for grants ranging from $50,000 to $2 million. The program aims to support the development of new outdoor recreation spaces, the revitalization of existing parks, and the creation and enhancement of connections between people and the outdoors.
The department is accepting applications through June 25, 2025 at 5 p.m. A webinar will be held at noon on April 17 to provide further details on the program and application process. Additional details and application information are available on the DNR’s Land and Water Conservation Fund webpage. Read more…
As Maryland’s Black Bears Emerge from Winter Dens, Residents and Visitors Can Help Keep Them Wild
Photo by Mitch Adolph, submitted to the 2023 Maryland DNR photo contest.
In portions of the state, black bears have vacated their dens and started exploring the areas around them. Homeowners who leave human-generated food sources out in the open – like birdseed, chicken feed, dog food and even trash – may unintentionally draw bears to residential areas. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources advises residents and visitors to avoid creating man-made bear attractions. Read more…
Maryland Fishing Report – April 9
Imogen Weaver had some fun catching and releasing hickory shad near Octoraro Creek. Photo courtesy of Imogen Weaver.
Winter is not quite ready to release its grasp, but the fishing is good regardless of the air temperature, from the Atlantic coast to the western mountains. Trout fishing in the put-and-take areas is very popular this month with anglers of all ages. Meanwhile, hickory shad are showing up for some exciting catch-and-release action.
Haven Harbour South in Kent County Certified as Maryland Clean Marina
Marina and boatyard improvements improve local water quality and help restore the Chesapeake Bay
Haven Harbour South staff holding their Maryland Clean Marina certificate. Maryland DNR photo.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has certified Haven Harbour South in Rock Hall as the newest Maryland Clean Marina. The department awards this designation to marinas that comply with all applicable regulatory requirements and voluntarily adopt a significant portion of recommended best practices in the Maryland Clean Marina Guidebook. There are now 147 certified Clean Marinas in Maryland, representing about 30% of the marinas in the state. Read more…
Maryland’s Spring Turkey Season Opens for 2025
Junior Hunt Set for April 12-13; Regular season Begins April 18
Photo by Erik Yetter, submitted to 2017 Maryland DNR photo contest.
Maryland’s statewide spring wild turkey season opens this month, beginning with the Junior Turkey Hunt on April 12. The regular spring turkey season opens for all hunters on April 18 and runs through May 23. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) anticipates that hunters should have ample opportunity due to recent increases in turkey numbers in many areas. Read more…
Secretary’s Message: A Tree Grows in Maryland – Every One Counts on the Way to 5 Million
Maryland Department of Natural Resources Secretary Josh Kurtz and Howard County Executive Calvin Ball plant trees in March. Maryland DNR photo.
Maryland has just celebrated its own Arbor Day, well ahead of the national celebration on the last Friday of the month. This year, I’m glad to say we are catching up on an important initiative that will impact our future.
Maryland made an ambitious commitment with the 5 Million Trees Initiative in 2021, and last year we celebrated the milestone of one million trees in the ground. More than 500,000 trees were planted in 2024.
This spring we’re in the midst of our most prolific tree-planting season since the initiative started. In March alone, the Maryland Forest Service planted 197,000 new trees–a new one month record. So far, this year’s new plantings amount to about 500 acres of newly forested lands.
These new trees will help improve the health of our communities, sequester carbon, purify our air and water, and bolster wildlife populations. The plantings are an investment in Maryland’s future, and the new trees offer an ever-growing return for generations. Read more…