Natural Resources News
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…
“Report a Harvest” Feature within AccessDNR Mobile App Fixed
Update 4/20: The Report a Harvest feature has been fixed. Hunters can use this resource to check in their harvests.
DNR is experiencing problems with the Report a Harvest procedure within the AccessDNR Mobile App. We are currently working on the fix and will notify you once it is in place.
Hunters can report their harvest by phone or online:
Maryland Big Game Registration Phone Line 1-888-800-0121
Compass Online: https://compass.dnr.maryland.gov/DnrCompassPortal
We apologize for any inconvenience and thank you for your patience.
Celebrate Earth and Arbor Days with DNR!
Get outside with activities, tree plantings
Looking to give back to our planet in celebration of Earth and Arbor days? The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is hosting a variety of activities to help you get outside, spend time with friends, family and neighbors, and beautify your natural world. Read more…
NRP Urges Boating Safety as Striped Bass Season Kicks Off
While Memorial Day weekend traditionally marks the start of the boating season, thousands of Maryland anglers will get a jump on water activities Saturday with the opening of catch-and-keep striped bass season.
NRP Charges Two Watermen with Oyster Violations in Final Days of Season
During the final days of the 2014-15 oyster season, Maryland Natural Resources Police officers charged two watermen with illegal harvesting. Read more…
Maryland’s Striped Bass Season Opens April 18
New catch limits, license discounts and Governor’s conservation award in place
Photo Courtesy of Mackensie Smith
With the April 18 opening of spring trophy season just days away, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources reminds striped bass anglers of new catch limits and incentives, including license discounts and a conservation award. Read more…
DNR to Host Junior Hunter Field Days in May and June
Events in Allegany, Anne Arundel, Queen Anne’s and Somerset counties
Youth ages 8 to 16 with an interest in hunting, shooting sports and wildlife management are invited to participate in free Junior Hunter Field Days taking place this spring in regions across the state. DNR staff and representatives from sporting and conservation groups will use hand-on activities to teach participants about natural resources stewardship, wildlife biology, shooting safety and ethical conduct in the field. Read more…
Striped Bass, Oyster, Drug and Weapons Charges Top NRP Enforcement Efforts
From nabbing anglers hiding illegal fish in their vehicles to charging a suspect who ate potential drug evidence to avoid arrest, the Maryland Natural Resources Police dealt with a wide range of activities over the past week. Read more…
Environmental Literacy Grants Available
Funding supports programs for K-12 student stream studies
Students in Carroll County assessing stream health.
The Department of Natural Resources is seeking to include more Maryland students in studying, monitoring and engaging in restorative actions to improve the health of local streams through EPA’s Chesapeake Bay Implementation Grants. Read more…
Three St. Mary’s Hunters Charged with Violations, Dumping Deer on Public Road
Two men and a juvenile have been charged with illegal deer hunting as the result of an extensive investigation by the Maryland Natural Resources Police and the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office.
NRP Blotter
Oyster violations and illegal deer hunting activities on the Eastern Shore topped the list of charges filed last week by Maryland Natural Resources Police officers. Read more…
NRP Seeking Applicants for Cadet Program
Marguerita Gay of Parkville and Vinnie Arillo of Stevensville successfully completed the NRP cadet program and were just selected to attend the NRP Academy.
The Maryland Natural Resources Police has opened the hiring process for seven young men or women to join its cadet program. Read more…
Maryland’s Spring Turkey Hunts to Open
Youth hunters will kick-off Maryland’s spring turkey season with the Junior Turkey Hunt on April 11 statewide and on Sunday, April 12, in select counties. The regular spring turkey season will run from April 18 through May 23 statewide. Read more…
NRP Welcomes 57th Basic Recruit Class to Training Academy
57th Recruit Class at Training Academy
Twenty-two men and women this morning began a seven-month journey to become members of the Maryland Natural Resources Police, the oldest statewide law enforcement agency. Read more…
Registration Open for the Maryland Land Conservation Conference
Keynote speaker Stephanie Meeks of the National Trust for Historic Preservation
This year’s Maryland Land Conservation Conference will feature engaging educational workshops and peer-to-peer networking to highlight land conservation issues affecting our state. Hosted by the Maryland Environmental Trust, the gathering will take place on April 30 and May 1 at The Conference Center at the Maritime Institute in Linthicum Heights. Read more…
NRP Blotter
A Lusby man was arrested Sunday and charged by the Maryland Natural Resources Police in connection with smash-and-grab thefts and destruction of property at Calvert Cliffs State Park in Calvert County. Read more…
Mark J. Belton Sworn in as DNR Secretary
Secretary Mark J. Belton was officially sworn in by Governor Larry Hogan this afternoon as the 9th Secretary of the Maryland Department of the Natural Resources. Belton was confirmed by the Maryland State Senate on March 20. Read more…
NRP Blotter
A Frederick County woman was charged Saturday with heroin possession after a traffic stop on I-97 by a Natural Resources Police officer. Read more…
Maryland Park Service Reopens All Appalachian Trail Shelters
***3/25 Update: All Appalachian Trail Shelters Now Open***
Original release, 3/19: Maryland Park Service Reopens Five Appalachian Trail Shelters — Crews from the Maryland Park Service and Maryland Forest Service today felled a number of trees to allow the reopening of five overnight shelters and campgrounds along the Appalachian Trail in time for weekend use.
Deep Creek Lake Anglers Urged to Participate in Northern Pike Survey
Deep Creek Lake angler, Ryan Cooper, with his trophy northern pike.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is asking the anglers of Deep Creek Lake to complete a short questionnaire regarding northern pike management. The results will be used to evaluate the need for regulation updates to develop a trophy northern pike fishery in the lake. Read more…
Two Pasadena Men Convicted, Jailed for Stealing Crabs from Watermen
Photo by Toni Quigley
Two recreational crabbers caught by Maryland Natural Resources Police officers stealing from the crab pots of commercial watermen were sentenced Friday to 30 days in jail by an Anne Arundel District Court judge. Read more…
NRP Blotter
Two Somerset County watermen were charged Thursday morning by Maryland Natural Resources police officers with harvesting oysters from protected state waters.NRP Blotter
A Gaithersburg man and a Frederick woman were arrested and charged with possession of cocaine with intent to distribute on Wednesday by a Maryland Natural Resources Police officer conducting a highway safety patrol.Appalachian Trail Shelters and Campgrounds Closed As Maryland Park Service Assesses Tree Safety
The Maryland Park Service has temporarily closed all overnight shelters and campgrounds on the Maryland portion of the Appalachian Trail as a precaution as managers assess the condition and conduct maintenance on the trees near the sites. Read more…
NRP Blotter
Three Tilghman Island watermen were charged Wednesday with multiple violations of oyster regulations by Maryland Natural Resources Police officers. Read more…
Bass Pro and Costa Offer Incentives for 2015 DNR Volunteer Survey Anglers
Survey participants proudly displaying their Yellow Perch bounty
Costa Sunglasses has joined Bass Pro Shops as key sponsors of the annual DNR Volunteer Angler Survey. Read more…
Select Roads to Deal Island WMA to Close Temporarily
Portions of Deal Island Wildlife Management Area (WMA) will close to all routine vehicle traffic so crews can carry out a small maintenance dredging project. The affected area, the “North Ramp Access Road” from Route 363, will be closed March 10 through May 1, tentatively. Read more…
Recreation Upgrades Approved for Local Parks in Queen Anne’s and Wicomico Counties
Governor Larry Hogan today announced Board of Public Works’ approval of recreational projects in Queen Anne’s and Wicomico counties through Program Open Space. Read more…
Muskrat Trapping Season Extended
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has added a one week extension to the muskrat trapping season in all counties except Allegany, Carroll, Frederick, Garrett, Howard and Washington. The season will now close on March 21, 2015 to make up for unfavorable weather-related trapping conditions. Read more…
DNR Releases 2014-15 Deer Season Results
Maryland hunters harvested 86,883 deer during the archery, muzzleloader and firearm seasons combined (September 5, 2014 through January 31, 2015). The harvest shows a 9 percent decrease from last year’s total of 95,863. Biologists attribute the lower harvest to declines in deer numbers in rural Maryland after last year’s strong harvest, and an abundant acorn crop this year that resulted in reduced deer movement for much of the season. Read more…
NRP Blotter
Four men and a juvenile have been charged with illegal waterfowl hunting on Gibson Island in Anne Arundel County by the Maryland Natural Resources Police.
DNR Releases 2015 Midwinter Waterfowl Survey Results
Aerial photo of geese in the lower Chester River
Each winter, aerial survey teams of pilots and biologists from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources make visual estimates of ducks, geese and swans along Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay shoreline and Atlantic coast. This year, the teams witnessed more than 855,500 waterfowl, slightly lower than the 905,000 birds observed during 2014, but higher than the five year average of 757,000. Read more…
DNR Icebreaker to Free Frozen Tangier Island
The largest icebreaker in the Maryland Department of Natural Resources fleet will make an out-of-state house call Saturday to free the frozen residents of Virginia’s Tangier Island.
Tree-Mendous Now Accepting Spring Orders
Tree-Mendous Maryland — a program of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Forest Service — is now accepting spring orders! Those looking to green their communities are encouraged to check out the recently released 2015 order form, which features high-quality, native trees and shrubs available at discounted prices for plantings on public lands. Read more…
NRP Blotter
The Maryland Natural Resources Police recently charged two men with wildlife violations in Cecil and Somerset counties.
Acting on a tip, officers went to the Elkton home of David Michael Reeves, 29, on Feb. 7 and saw him butchering a deer carcass hanging from a swing set. Read more…
Recreation Upgrades Approved for Local Parks throughout Maryland
Governor Larry Hogan today announced Board of Public Works’ approval of recreational projects in Anne Arundel, Frederick, Montgomery and Prince George’s counties totaling $3,028,625 through Program Open Space.
“Providing exceptional parks, playgrounds and athletic fields is essential for healthy families and communities across Maryland,” said Governor Hogan. “From ensuring the safety of park-goers to expanding trail access, these projects build a better future for our state.” Read more…
NRP Blotter
Individuals in Somerset and Allegany counties were charged this week by Maryland Natural Resources Police officers with oyster poaching and hunting violations.
NRP Officers to Test New Airboat on Deep Creek Lake
There’s a new boat on Deep Creek Lake that rises above it all — literally.
Maryland Natural Resources Police officers are training on a 32-foot airboat, capable of skimming above winter’s ice to quickly reach an emergency to provide comfort and assistance. Read more…
Young Artists Encouraged to “Color Maryland Green”
Calling all young poets, photographers, artists and producers: Students in grades K-12 are invited to submit original creations inspired by our outdoors to the 2015 Color Maryland Green contest. The contest is sponsored by the Maryland Departments of Natural Resources and the Environment. Read more…
DNR Telephone System Restored
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources telephone system in the Tawes office building in Annapolis has been fixed following a fire under nearby College Creek bridge. While there may still be a few minor technical difficulties, the majority of the phone system is working. Read more…
NRP Blotter
The Maryland Natural Resources Police recently charged four men in Howard, Allegany and Talbot counties with violations of hunting, forestry and oyster regulations.
Riparian Property Licensing Now Open
Applications Must Be Submitted Prior to June 1
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources Wildlife and Heritage Service is accepting applications for offshore waterfowl blind and shoreline licenses for riparian (waterfront) property owners.
DNR Telephone System Down in Annapolis
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources telephone system in the Tawes office building in Annapolis is not working due to a fire under nearby College Creek bridge. Verizon is working on the problem, but it could take several days to fix.
Keep Maryland Beautiful Grants Available for Environmental Education
Friends of Patapsco Valley & Heritage Greenway awarded KMB grant for their planting and stream clean-up project.
The Maryland Environmental Trust (MET) is now accepting applications for grants through the Keep Maryland Beautiful program to help volunteer-based, nonprofit groups and communities develop environmental education projects and solve natural resource issues. Read more…
Maryland Hunting Guides Sentenced for Violating Black Bear Hunting Regulations
Defendants violated state law by using bait to attract bears
U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Sullivan Wednesday sentenced Larry Eugene Harding, 57, of Friendsville, and Wallace A. Harward, 58, of Forest Hill, to pay a fine and restitution totaling $8,000 and $5,000, respectively, after the defendants pleaded guilty to violating Maryland black bear hunting regulations. Read more…
DNR Welcomes Public Input on Plans for Indian Springs WMA
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is seeking public input on the draft 15-year vision plan for the Indian Springs Wildlife Management Area (WMA), a 6,635-acre property in north central Washington County.
NRP Blotter
Maryland Natural Resources officers on the Eastern Shore and in the Central Region recently charged 13 men with oyster poaching and hunting violations.
Officers conducting surveillance of the Nanticoke River Oyster Sanctuary in Wicomico County last Friday shortly after 4 a.m. saw two men dredging within its boundaries. The officers intercepted the unlighted vessel after it finished dredging and began heading upstream. Read more…
NRP Aggressively Enforces Striped Bass Conservation Measures along the Atlantic
NRP officer monitors fishing activity off Ocean City using MLEIN
Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) officers checked a record number of Atlantic coast recreational anglers and commercial fishermen in December and January as part of enforcement efforts to support striped bass conservation measures. Read more…
Local Recreational Projects Approved in Washington and Wicomico Counties
Kayaking in Green-Land by Saki
Governor Larry Hogan today announced Board of Public Works approval of recreational projects in Washington and Wicomico counties totaling $220,500 through Program Open Space.