Natural Resources News
Recreation Upgrades Set for Local Parks throughout Maryland
Baltimore, Caroline, Dorchester, Garrett, Harford, St. Mary’s and Talbot counties will receive funding for recreational enhancements through Program Open Space. Governor Martin O’Malley and the Board of Public Works approved the projects at today’s meeting in Annapolis.
“Program Open Space ensures families in communities all across Maryland can conveniently enjoy the exciting natural wonders and diverse recreational opportunities found throughout our State,” said Governor O’Malley. Read more…
Anglers Open the New Year with Two State Fishing Records
Westerfeld’s state record tautog. Photo by Capt. Kane Bounds
Possible world record tautog caught
On January 2, two anglers brought in the New Year with Maryland state record tautog and chain pickerel catches.
Kenneth Westerfeld of College Point, NY reeled in a 28.8-pound tautog 20 miles southeast of Ocean City while fishing in about 75-feet of water with Captain Kane Bounds on the charter boat Fish Bound. Maryland’s previous record was a 23-pound tautog caught by Charles Donohue near Ocean City in 2012. The current world record is 25 pounds. Read more…
NRP Blotter
Saturation patrols, surveillance and tips from the public led to oyster poaching charges being filed by Maryland Natural Resources Police officers against four Eastern Shore watermen over the holiday period.
Cannon, Relic of the 19th century Oyster Wars, on Display in Annapolis
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is exhibiting its historic cannon at the Casper R. Taylor Jr. House Office Building in Annapolis now through spring 2014.
A relic of the Oyster Police of the 1800s, the cannon was used to protect the Chesapeake Bay’s bounty during the “oyster wars” of the 19th century. The Maryland Natural Resources Police, which observed its 145th anniversary last March, is a descendant of both the State Oyster Police and the Office of the State Game Warden, created in 1896. Read more…
Casselman River Bridge State Park Prepares for Bicentennial
Maryland Park Service employees have been hard at work gearing up for the Casselman River Bridge Bicentennial celebration, taking place September 20-22. This exciting event is expected to be one of the largest in the park’s history. Read more…
DNR Dedicates Fred W. Besley Demonstration Forest
Fred Besley, Maryland’s First State Forester
To honor Maryland’s first State forester, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) officially dedicated the Fred W. Besley Demonstration Forest in Dorchester County on April 20. The ceremony, held in Linkwood, recognized Besley for his influence on the future of forestry conservation.
“As Maryland’s first State Forester, Fred Besley built a legacy of conservation and sustainable forestry management, which the Maryland Forest Service still follows to this day,” said State Forester and Director Steven Koehn. Read more…