Natural Resources News
NRP Issues Upper Potomac River Advisory for Weekend
The Maryland Natural Resources Police is urging boaters and other recreational users to avoid the Upper Potomac River, including its creeks and streams, this weekend. Read more…
NRP Joining ‘Operation Dry Water’ this Weekend to Nab Impaired Boaters
Officer Erica Minnick on patrol at Deep Creek Lake.
As the summer recreational boating season gets into full swing, the Maryland Natural Resources Police will join this weekend with the Coast Guard and other maritime law enforcement agencies for Operation Dry Water, a nationwide crackdown on alcohol- and drug-impaired boaters. Read more…
Seasonal Black Bear Sightings Increase in Suburban Areas
While black bears are typically found in western Maryland (Garrett, Allegany, Washington and Frederick counties), sightings in suburban areas are not uncommon this time of year. Read more…
NRP Charges Grasonville Man with Running Illegal Charter Boat Business
A Grasonville man has been charged by the Maryland Natural Resources Police with operating a charter boat service without the proper state licenses.
Heath Roy, 49, was issued citations for failing to obtain a charter boat license and with using a Chesapeake Bay Sport Fishing Boat recreational license on a commercial vessel. Read more…
DNR Pioneers the Use of Apple Watch for State Government
AccessDNR home screen for Apple Watch
Nearby Water Trails and Access Points Available with a Tap of the Wrist
Water-enthusiasts can discover nearby waterways directly on their wrist with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) new Apple Watch app, paired with the AccessDNR mobile app. This makes Maryland the first state to publish an Apple Watch app for government that uses geolocation functionality to locate water trails and access points. Read more…
Washington Monument Observation Tower to Remain Closed
The stone monument at Washington Monument State Park in Washington County will remain closed until further notice, pending the completion of work to repair damage from a lightning strike that occurred Thursday afternoon. Read more…
Maryland State Parks to Celebrate Great American Campout
DNR Secretary Mark Belton and State Parks Superintendent Nita Settina invite you to join in celebrating the Great American Campout!
Visit a nearby state park on June 27 and join the Maryland Park Service in celebrating the Great American Campout! Participants can learn how to pitch a tent, cook a campfire meal, make s’mores and more! This day will include plenty of family-friendly fun, along with giveaways from the National Wildlife Federation. Read more…
MET Easement Protects Endangered Species Habitat
The newly protected forestland
Fifty-three acres of forest in Talbot County, home of the endangered Delmarva fox squirrel, are permanently protected from development, thanks to the Maryland Environment Trust (MET) and the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy in partnership with the Talbot Preservation Alliance.
Read more…
NRP Investigates Fatal Swimming Accident, Handles Cases at State Parks
Maryland Natural Resources Police officers are investigating the death of Matthew Bolte, 24, of North East, who died Sunday after jumping from Wildcat Point in Cecil County into the Susquehanna River. His friends say he surfaced once and disappeared from view at about 3:30 p.m. Read more…
DNR Helps Fund New Stream Restoration Monitoring Program
Efforts to produce measurable water quality data and results
Nature’s Gift by Timothy Shelton
In a continued effort to better gauge how stream restoration projects improve tributary and Chesapeake Bay health, DNR’s Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund provided $500,000 to help fund the Restoration Research Grant Program. Through the program, DNR and partners selected four research projects that they will use to rigorously evaluate the effectiveness of water quality and habitat enhancements practices. Results will help ensure that practices with the greatest likelihood for success are implemented in the future. Read more…
NRP, Lifeguards Rescue Five Off Sandy Point State Park
L to R: Lifeguards Isela Hernandez and Nathan Cmiel, and Rangers Maria Reusing and Alison Woodfield
As storms rocked the Annapolis area Monday evening, a group of off-duty state lifeguards and rangers, and Maryland Natural Resources Police officers teamed up to rescue five people from overturned jet skis off Sandy Point State Park. Read more…
Survey Says: Visitors Prefer Maryland for Hunting and Fishing
Landing that prize rockfish or tagging a world-class deer in Maryland may be more enjoyable than the same victory somewhere else, according to a recent survey that reveals most out-of-state anglers and hunters rank their experience in Maryland superior to that of their home state. Read more…
NRP, Howard County Divers Recover Body of Patapsco Swimmer
The body of a 22-year-old Landover man was recovered this afternoon from the Patapsco River by divers from the Maryland Natural Resources Police and Howard County Fire and Rescue. Read more…
Workshop to Focus on Protecting Maryland’s Working Waterfronts
Boaters, watermen, coastal planners, aquaculturists ─ anyone interested in the preservation of Maryland’s waterfronts ─ are invited to the Working Waterfronts Exchange on June 18 in Cambridge. Experts and guests will have the opportunity to share their ideas and experiences, and discuss the results of an economic study on the topic. Read more…
DNR Seeks Caretaker for Historic Property in Cecil County
Old Bohemia Tenant House
DNR invites citizens interested in becoming curators of the Old Bohemia Tenant House in Cecil County to stop by the open house, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, June 13. The property is available for restoration under the Department’s Resident-Curatorship Program, which matches up historic properties with people interested in restoring, maintaining and periodically sharing them with the public in return for the right to lifetime tenancy. Read more…
Celebrate Great Outdoors Month with DNR!
Fun kicks off with National Trails Day June 6
June marks the last few weeks of school, the beginning of summer and the perfect time to get outside! The Department of Natural Resources makes celebrating Great Outdoors Month fun and easy with its network of beautiful state parks, a variety of educational programs and the AccessDNR mobile app. Read more…
NRP Recovers Body of Baltimore County Boater
The body of a Baltimore County boater, whose disappearance was the subject of an extensive search by law enforcement and rescue agencies, was recovered at 7:00 p.m. on May 30 near Salt Peter in the Gunpowder River, the Maryland Natural Resources Police said. Read more…
NRP Recovers Body of Missing Port Deposit Boater
Maryland Natural Resources Police officers recovered the body of a Port Deposit man on May 29, who went missing on May 26 after strong winds capsized a canoe and tossed him and a fishing partner into the Susquehanna River. Read more…
Fish Free in Maryland June 6, 13 and July 4
Photo by Patricia Colletti
Everyone is encouraged to grab a rod, get outside and take advantage of Maryland’s excellent angling opportunities during free fishing days June 6, June 13 and July 4. No license or trout stamp is required to recreationally fish in state waters on these days. Maryland also features 23 unique license-free fishing areas, where anglers can fish without a license throughout the year.
Maryland Hunters Report Record Spring Turkey Harvest
Strutting by Lori R. Bramble
Hunters reported harvesting a total of 3,767 wild turkeys during the 2015 regular spring and junior hunt turkey seasons that ended on May 23. This year’s harvest is 13 percent higher than the 2013 record-setting harvest of 3,344, and well above the 10-year average of 3,045.
The sharp increase in harvest can be attributed to a combination of factors, including growing turkey populations, excellent weather and more Sunday hunting opportunities. Read more…
NRP Logs Busy Memorial Day Weekend on Water and in Woods
NRP 141 rescues seven fishermen in Whitehall Bay outside Annapolis
Photo courtesy of Cory Russell
With a string of beautiful days with bright sun and comfortable temperatures, Memorial Day weekend beckoned thousands of residents and visitors to Maryland waterways and state parks and kept Natural Resources Police officers on their toes. Read more…
Maryland Fishing Challenge Heats Up
More than 500 anglers eligible for cash and prizes
Last year’s boat package winner, Rick Snider of Biglerville, Pa. Prize sponsored by Bass Pro Shops and Tracker Boats.
Landing a big fish in Maryland could also land anglers big prizes, including cash, a powerboat, a tropical vacation, tackle packages, and Under Armour and Costa gear. Hosted by DNR and now in its eleventh year, the Maryland Fishing Challenge continues to showcase Maryland as a premier recreation destination with anglers reporting excellent fishing from the Appalachian Mountains to the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. Read more…
Stay Safe on the Water: What to Know Before You Go
Whether jet skiing across the Bay or surfing the waves of the Atlantic, there is no better relief from a hot Maryland day than a cool, refreshing dip in the water. With Memorial Day weekend and the start of summer right around the corner, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources reminds swimmers, boaters, anglers — everyone headed out on the water — to develop a precautionary safety and rescue plan and know the following tips before heading out. Read more…
Keep Maryland Beautiful Grants Awarded to Environmental Groups
Former Keep Maryland Beautiful recipient, Blue Water Baltimore, and partners led a project at Cross Country Elementary School to replace 18,000 sq. feet of blacktop with grass, trees and a new playground, eliminating several hundred thousand gallons of storm water runoff.
The Maryland Environmental Trust awarded a total of $9,600 to nonprofits, community groups and schools across the state to restore streamside habitats, create gardens and educate citizens about the environment as part of the Keep Maryland Beautiful program. Read more…
Farmers Market at DNR in Annapolis Kicks Off June 4
The Anne Arundel County Farmers Market located just outside of downtown Annapolis is back and ready to provide residents with fresh fruits, vegetables and homemade goodies all summer long! Starting June 4, the market will run from 3 to 6 p.m. every Thursday through September 3. Read more…
Governor Hogan Helps NRP Welcome New Water Safety Mascot
Gov. Larry Hogan and his dog Lexi help welcome Splash, NRP’s new water safety mascot, during a lighthearted weekend ceremony on the Government House lawn.
Two decades after arriving in Maryland from his native bamboo forest to help spread the water safety message for the Natural Resources Police, mascot PFD Panda has announced his retirement.
In a lighthearted weekend ceremony on the lawn of Government House, Governor Larry Hogan and his dog, Lexi, helped welcome Splash the Water Safety Dog, PFD Panda’s replacement. Read more…
MET Names Conservation Award Winners and Grant Recipients
Michelle Grafton, MET Land Trust Coordinator; Charlie Conklin with Gunpowder Valley Conservancy; Miriam Avins with Baltimore Green Space; Hal Delaplane with Conservancy for Charles County; Richard Post with Harford Land Trust; Victoria Bauer with Lower Shore Land Trust; Sarah Knebel with Scenic Rivers Land Trust; and Sandy Hertz, Deputy Director of SHA’s Office of Environmental Design.
As part of its annual awards, the Maryland Environmental Trust granted $27,000 to land preservation groups statewide. MET announced the award and grant winners during its 15th annual Maryland Land Conservation Conference, held April 30 and May 1 at the Maritime Institute in Linthicum Heights. Read more…
DNR Regional Service Centers Will Be Closed Friday
State parks and lands will remain open
Photo by Tammy McCorkle
All Maryland Department of Natural Resources offices, including regional service centers, will be closed Friday, May 22 for a Service Reduction Day. Maryland State Parks and other DNR-managed public lands will remain staffed and open to the public. Read more…
NRP Steps Up Patrols As Boating Season Gets Underway
NRP Officer Kristen McFarland checks a jet skier’s fishing license
With the Memorial Day holiday approaching, Maryland Natural Resources Police officers will be stepping up enforcement of state maritime laws as part of National Safe Boating Week, May 16-22. Read more…
Blotter: NRP Investigating Illegal Commercial Fishing Operation in St. Mary’s County
Maryland Natural Resources Police officers are investigating an illegal commercial fishing operation at the mouth of the Patuxent River in St. Mary’s County that resulted in the harvesting of thousands of pounds of undersized croaker. Read more…
Snakeheads Found in Two Eastern Shore Ponds
Invasive catches eligible for prizes in the Maryland Fishing Challenge
In early April, anglers caught several northern snakehead fish from private ponds in Wicomico and Queen Anne’s counties. While surveying the pond in Wicomico County, Maryland Department of Natural Resources biologists found three more adult snakeheads. A DNR survey of the Queen Anne’s County pond turned up seven more, including subadult fish, which suggests that snakeheads are reproducing there. Read more…
DNR Certifies New Clean Marina in Kent Island
Photo Credit: Kent Island Marine, www.kentislandmarine.com
Kent Island Marine Services in Stevensville is the latest Maryland Clean Marina certified by the Department of Natural Resources. The facility, which sells and services power boats, earned the award after taking steps to prevent pollution for more sustainable operations. Read more…
Maryland to Issue 365-Day Recreational Fishing Licenses
New legislation offers anglers more value and flexibility
SFAC Vice Chairman Dave Sikorski (directly behind Governor Hogan) & Larry Jennings (in grey) attend the bill signing.
Today, Governor Larry Hogan signed into law a bill that authorizes the Department of Natural Resources to issue recreational fishing licenses for 365 days from the date of purchase, rather than for the calendar year. Created by Senate Bill 666/House Bill 785, the new law takes effect October 1. Read more…
DNR Welcomes Public Input on Plans for Newtowne Neck State Park
Photo by Mark Odell
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is seeking public input on three draft plans detailing the future design and use of Newtowne Neck State Park, located in St. Mary’s County. Each proposal presents a different scenario that will conserve and showcase the site’s natural, cultural and recreational resources. Input is being accepted via online survey through June 30, and will be used to finalize a master plan for the park later this summer. Read more…
NRP Blotter
A Garrett County man was arrested on multiple impaired driving charges Monday after a Maryland Natural Resources Police officer stopped him outside New Germany State Park for erratic driving. Read more…
NRP Answers Call to Assist Baltimore Law Enforcement Efforts
NRP Officer First Class Greg Harris and son. Taken by NRP
One day, they were looking for illegal hunters and anglers, patrolling state parks and conducting homeland security checks of bridges, power plants and the Port of Baltimore. Read more…
NRP Blotter
A hunter was charged Saturday with illegal turkey hunting in Allegany County by the Maryland Natural Resources Police. Read more…
Marylanders Reminded To Keep Fawns Wild
White-tailed deer fawn by DNR’s Peter Jayne
With late spring being the prime birthing time for white-tailed deer, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources reminds anyone who encounters a fawn to avoid disturbing it. While young deer often appear to be orphaned, in most cases the doe is nearby protecting and feeding her offspring as needed. Removing these animals from the wild for care is unnecessary, dangerous and illegal. Read more…
Reminder: Riparian Property License Applications Due June 1
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources reminds riparian (waterfront) property owners who want to apply for offshore blind and shoreline licenses that applications must be postmarked before June 1. Read more…
Towson Artist Wins the Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp Design Contest
Migratory Game Bird Stamp Design Contest Winner
Jim Taylor from Towson won the 41st Annual Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp Design Contest with his painting titled Sunset Canvasbacks.
Delaware Artist Wins Maryland Black Bear Conservation Stamp Design Contest
Black Bear Conservation Stamp Design Contest Winner
Steve Oliver from New Castle County, Delaware won the 19th Annual Maryland Black Bear Conservation Stamp Contest with his painting, Autumn Morning, of a black bear taking a walk in a meadow.
NRP Blotter
Fourteen hunters in Western Maryland were charged in the opening days of spring turkey season with hunting over bait.
Chesapeake Bay Blue Crab Population Shows Modest Improvement
Photo by Katie Macdonald
Adult females are no longer depleted, but remain at low levels
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources today released the 2015 Blue Crab Winter Dredge Survey results, which showed the abundance of spawning-age females was 101 million, a substantial rise from 2014 when adult females were considered depleted. Despite the increase, the number of adult females remains well below the peak abundances observed in 2010 and 2011 and below the established target level of 215 million crabs.
NRP Honors Officers for Bravery, Initiatives and Promotes 25
NRP Officer First Class Franklin Wright received the Medal of Valor from DNR Secretary Mark J. Belton and Col. George F. Johnson IV.
For saving the lives of two Maryland citizens, three Maryland Natural Resources Police officers were awarded the agency’s highest honor Wednesday night, April 22, at a ceremony at Chesapeake College in Wye Mills.
Cpl. Lindsey Markert and Officer First Class Mark Greef, both of Baltimore, and Officer First Class Franklin Wright of Somerset County each received the Medal of Valor for their efforts in 2014 during NRP’s annual awards event.
More Zebra Mussels Found in Upper Chesapeake Bay
Zebra Mussels
DNR calls on boaters to help prevent further spread of this harmful invasive
As the weather warms and boating season begins, DNR reminds boaters to be on the lookout for zebra mussels and to take precautions to prevent their spread. Department biologists recently found a significant increase in this harmful invasive during their most recent zebra mussel monitoring effort in the upper Chesapeake Bay. Read more…
NRP Blotter: NRP Charges Annapolis Men in Impaired Boating Incident
Two Annapolis men were arrested Monday afternoon in a boat just off Sandy Point State Park and charged with alcohol and drug violations by Maryland Natural Resources Police officers. Read more…
Don’t Go Out on a Limb, Hire a Pro!
DNR urges Marylanders to hire Licensed Tree Experts
Spring clean-up, especially after a harsh winter, often includes pruning and removing dead trees.
Unfortunately, the warmer temperatures that bring out the best in Maryland’s landscape also trigger the proliferation of unscrupulous and unskilled tree service workers masquerading as the real deal. Read more…
DNR Urges Western Marylanders to Be Mindful of Bears
Bears are leaving their winter dens in search for food now that their long winter slumber has come to an end. Since natural foods are scarce in the early spring, they often seek out human-provided sources. Those living in, or visiting bear country can help keep Maryland’s black bears wild by being proactive and exercising good judgment. Read more…
DNR Expands Park Quest Registration Opportunities with New Lottery
Photo courtesy Elton Stokes Jr
1,000 families to experience outdoor adventures in state parks
New this year, the Maryland Park Service will conduct an open lottery registration for Park Quest ─ its popular family-based outdoor adventure program ─ from April 27 through May 1. With past years’ registration reaching the 1,000-team capacity in less than an hour, the new process will expand the opportunity to those unable to register at a set time due to prior work or personal commitments. Read more…
NRP Investigating Hunting Accident in Allegany County; Pa. Man Wounded
A Pennsylvania man was injured Monday morning in a turkey hunting accident at Green Ridge State Forest in Allegany County, the Maryland Natural Resources Police reported. Read more…