Marylanders Kick Off 2023 with Annual Tradition The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reports that 4,896 people hiked 9,780 miles during First Day Hikes in 41 state parks on New Year’s weekend. Between Dec. 31, 2022 and Jan. 2, 2023, there were 37 scheduled ranger-led programs with an additional 23 self-guided opportunities available on Read the Rest…
Steve Kreseski of Baltimore was an Avid Bicyclist The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has dedicated a half-mile trail loop at North Point State Park in honor of a former public servant and avid bicyclist, Steven L. Kreseski. A native and resident of Baltimore City, Kreseski served three years as chief of staff for Read the Rest…
Ring Out the Old, Ring in the New with Outdoor Traditions Maryland State Parks will again mark the new year by offering hike opportunities from December 30, 2022 through January 2, 2023. First Day Hikes are part of a nationwide initiative led by America’s State Parks that encourages all 50 states to offer outdoor hiking Read the Rest…
Marylanders Encouraged to Submit Holiday Recipes Featuring Foods Fished, Foraged, and Hunted The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is once again putting out a call to all wildlife and cooking enthusiasts to submit their favorite recipes for its Wild Maryland online cookbook, this time for the holiday season. The department encourages Maryland’s hunters, anglers, Read the Rest…
Park Quests are Completed, but the Adventure Continues The beginning of November marks the end of Park Quest, the Maryland Park Service’s annual program geared toward youth and families. Many thanks to our creative team members who have organized this fun and educational series for 15 years now! And thanks to everyone who participated. We Read the Rest…
Funding Will Protect 7,100 Acres Statewide with Largest Appropriation in Decades The Board of Public Works on October 12 unanimously approved more than $27.1 million in Rural Legacy Program grants for conservation easement acquisitions, reflecting the highest annual amount appropriated since 2002. Funding from these grants will permanently protect 7,100 acres of working farms, forests, Read the Rest…
Find an October Treat in Maryland’s Outdoor Spaces October is a time when the natural world puts on a spectacular show; and outdoor activities in Maryland provide a great opportunity to enjoy it! It is an ideal time to visit the public lands throughout our beautiful state. Lieutenant Governor Boyd K. Rutherford and I recently Read the Rest…
Conservation Partnership Celebrates Successful Breeding Season for Common Terns The partnership of Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Audubon Mid-Atlantic, and Maryland Coastal Bays Program, announced another successful year for the innovative conservation project to preserve three of Maryland’s state listed endangered colonial nesting waterbirds — the Common Tern, Royal Tern, and Black Skimmer, The Read the Rest…
Cabinet Secretaries Honor Businesses for Their Efforts Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Secretary Jeannie Haddaway-Riccio along with key staff from DNR and the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) visited Maryland’s Eastern Shore to recognize wholesale commercial and retail businesses in the seafood industry last week. The tour included stops at Wittman Wharf Seafood in Read the Rest…
Step Up to Serve, Engage in Maryland Traditions Governor Larry Hogan proclaimed Sept. 11 a day of service and remembrance across the state of Maryland in memory of those lost in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. The proclamation is part of an initiative that Governor Hogan, the Governor’s Office of Service and Volunteerism, and Read the Rest…
Exhibits Now Open in the Mosner Miller Building The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will bring displays, exhibits and programs about our state’s forests, fish, waters, and wildlife to the 2022 Maryland State Fair at the Timonium Fairgrounds from Thursday, Aug. 25 through Monday, September 11. Fairgoers are invited to stop by the DNR Read the Rest…
Governor Hogan’s Budget Supports Outdoor Access Across Maryland The Board of Public Works today approved Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) request to fund the first group of Community Parks & Playgrounds Program for Fiscal Year 2023. Overall, Governor Larry Hogan’s Fiscal Year 2023 Budget included $5 million to 39 local projects statewide, providing greater Read the Rest…
Better Days Ahead in Maryland’s Waters Fifty-six years ago, Maryland’s Waterway Improvement Fund was established to fund waterway improvements, promote recreational and commercial boating, and improve the safety and navigation of Maryland’s waterways for the benefit of the general boating public. Since its inception this important program has provided more than $300 million in funding Read the Rest…
Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund Supports 22 Projects at 77 Sites Governor Larry Hogan and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced the award of $18.8 million to 22 ecological restoration projects that will improve water quality and habitat in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, while building local resilience to climate impacts. Read the Rest…
Projects Funded Statewide for New and Improved Boating Access, Navigation, and Safety The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is providing $13.5 million in Waterway Improvement Fund grants to enhance and improve public boating access, facilities, and navigation throughout the state. This funding is awarded to 45 applicants statewide, supporting efforts that include new public boating Read the Rest…
Conservation Partnership Again Deploys “Island” for Colonial Nesting Waterbirds The partnership of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Audubon Mid-Atlantic, and Maryland Coastal Bays Program is continuing an innovative conservation project to preserve three of Maryland’s state listed endangered colonial nesting waterbirds — the common tern, royal tern, and black skimmer. The project, now Read the Rest…
By Land and Water, Maryland is Ready for the Summer June is Great Outdoors Month and we hope to see you out enjoying Maryland’s natural spaces, including our vast system of state parks and forests, and of course the state’s world-renowned waterways. This is peak season for one of Maryland’s favorite pastimes, fishing, from the Read the Rest…
Opening Up Maryland’s Great Outdoors As we approach the start of summer season, DNR is prepared to meet it with new additions to our Maryland State Park system and a growing list of outdoor recreation and education opportunities.
Five Forests Have Met International Standards for 2022 The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced that the major five state forests comprising Maryland’s state forest system – totaling more than 200,000 acres –- this year received two favorable independent audit reports recognizing that DNR is managing the state forests according to internationally accepted Forest Read the Rest…
Stretch of Gunpowder Falls State Park Adjacent to Fishing Spots The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has dedicated a portion of the Gunpowder North Trail in memory of Jim Gracie, trout fisherman and stream restoration advocate who died in 2020. A ceremony at Gunpowder Falls State Park was attended by his wife, Jane Gracie, Read the Rest…
State Park Week Ends with Celebration of Park Openings in in Kent and Cecil Counties In celebration of Earth Day and Maryland State Park Week, Lt. Governor Boyd K. Rutherford joined the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to open two new state parks to the public: Bohemia River State Park in Cecil County, and Read the Rest…
Announced Two New State Parks Will Open During State Park Week, April 15-22 Lt. Governor Boyd K. Rutherford today joined the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to announce the second Maryland State Park Week, with a ribbon-cutting at the Sandy Point State Park Nature Center. The new center features a Chesapeake Bay themed playground Read the Rest…
Grants Supports Communities, Projects, and Schools Forever Maryland is proud to announce that 85 grants totaling $320,000 have been awarded toward environmental education, community cleanup and beautification projects through the Keep Maryland Beautiful program. These annual grants are funded by the Maryland Environmental Trust, Forever Maryland, Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) and Maryland Department of Read the Rest…
Maryland is Invested in Our Natural Resources Spring is around the corner, and as usual, many of us have spring fever. The good news is that our amazing DNR staff have readied our parks and public lands to greet the millions of visitors we receive each year. It is essential that we balance increased visitation Read the Rest…
State and Local Partnership Will Preserve Open Space on Significant Historic Property on Chesapeake Bay Governor Larry Hogan and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced that the State of Maryland will provide more than $4.8 million toward the purchase of a historically significant waterfront property for the development of a new Annapolis Read the Rest…
Boat Named After Long-Time Captain of Its Predecessor The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has christened the newest boat in its Hydrographic Operations fleet, naming it after a long-time captain of the Crisfield-Smith Island route the boat will serve. The M/V Eddie Somers was christened this week by DNR officials and its namesake at Read the Rest…
Development of iShellfish Follows Legislation Signed in 2021 The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announces the development of a new mobile app, iShellfish, to provide interactive maps for commercial watermen and other users to locate areas they need to find or avoid while on Maryland’s waterways.
First Lady Yumi Hogan Participates as Judge; Top Entries’ Schools Receive Free Tree Plantings Fifth-grade students who submitted Arbor Day posters to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources had their work judged today by a panel of forestry experts and a special guest judge, Maryland First Lady Yumi Hogan, who is an accomplished artist and Read the Rest…
More than $20 Million For Baltimore City Outdoor Recreation This Year The Board of Public Works today unanimously approved 11 Program Open Space projects totaling $6.3 million in grants for Baltimore City. These projects include new and upgrades to existing park facilities across the city. In January, the board approved about $4 million in Program Read the Rest…
Public Input Essential to Our Mission Our department recognizes and values the contributions of both anglers and hunters – especially when it comes to responsibly managing our natural resources. We also recognize the value in ensuring that these and other important outdoor recreation traditions continue long into Maryland’s future. With support from the Recreational Boating Read the Rest…
Resolve to Accessing Maryland’s Natural World While it was a rainy start to 2022, I could not let a little rain get in the way of a great tradition. This year I joined Maryland Conservation Corps participants and visitors for a First Day Hike at Tuckahoe State Park, in Caroline County. I certainly was not Read the Rest…
New Year’s Weekend Hikers Brave Rainy Conditions The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) estimates that about 3,000 visitors took part in First Day Hikes in Maryland State Parks during the three-day period from December 31, 2021 through January 2, 2022. More than 350 people self-reported that they hiked 1,223 miles in our state parks Read the Rest…
Ranger-led and Self-guided Hikes Available Across Maryland The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) invites everyone to take a First Day Hike, Maryland’s annual tradition for a fun, healthy way to welcome the New Year. The Maryland Park Service will once again make First Day Hikes a weekend-long event, with ranger-led and self-guided opportunities across Read the Rest…
Honoring our Past, Preserving our Future December is a great time to reflect on the year’s accomplishments, so I decided to dedicate this month’s message to our amazing partners, volunteers, and staff who make our accomplishments possible. Earlier this year, I was pleased to host Employee Appreciation celebrations at various state park locations throughout the Read the Rest…
Funding Will Protect 6,000 Acres Statewide The Board of Public Works today unanimously approved more than $26.2 million in Rural Legacy Program grants for conservation easements in 17 counties. Funding from these grants will permanently protect about 6,000 acres of working farms, forests, open space, shorelines, and wetlands — plus cultural and historical resources — Read the Rest…
Program Provides $5 Million for Outdoor Recreation Statewide in Fiscal 2022 The Board of Public Works today approved the last of 31 Community Parks and Playground projects for this fiscal year, totaling $5 million in grants for new and upgraded outdoor facilities in communities across Maryland. Governor Larry Hogan’s Fiscal Year 2022 Budget included funding Read the Rest…
Make Maryland’s Outdoors Part of Your Gatherings As we enter the final two months of the year, our thoughts turn to the holiday season and gatherings with family and friends. To supplement those traditional dishes we often serve, I am pleased to share with you the Maryland Department of Natural Resources online cookbook Wild Maryland. Read the Rest…
Second Annual Awards from Sport Fisheries Advisory Commission The Maryland Sport Fisheries Advisory Commission and Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) presented annual awards for recreational fisheries lifetime achievement to Robert Wall and the late Joseph W. Brooks. The presentations were made in a ceremony held October 20 at Helen Avalynne Tawes Garden in Annapolis. Read the Rest…
Positive Change for Maryland’s Outdoors Maryland’s landscape is starting to showcase the vibrant colors of fall. Along with cooler, more pleasant weather, it is a spectacular and inviting backdrop that signifies the changing of the seasons. Governor Larry Hogan has also given us a reason to enjoy Maryland’s outdoors by proclaiming October as “Walktober” month Read the Rest…
$320,000 Available for Community Beautification, Greening, and Environmental Initiatives Forever Maryland, in partnership with the Maryland Environmental Trust, a unit of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, is now accepting applications for the Keep Maryland Beautiful grants program. Four different grants are being offered to help volunteer and nonprofit groups, communities, and land trusts support environmental education projects, Read the Rest…
New State Law will Reduce Plastic Pollution that Degrades Waterways and Threatens Animal Life The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) and Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) remind Marylanders that a new state law that prohibits intentional balloon releases is now in effect. The new Maryland law bans the releasing of balloons that, upon landing, create Read the Rest…
Event Continues Outreach to Grow Stewardship and Involvement In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, Sandy Point State Park will host a Hispanic Heritage Environmental Festival on Oct. 2. Presented by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Chesapeake Conservancy, Corazón Latino, the National Park Service, and Defensores De La Cuenca, the event runs 10 a.m. to Read the Rest…
Proclaims Sept. 25 for National Public Lands, Fishing and Hunting Day Governor Larry Hogan today announced the creation of the Office of Outdoor Recreation within the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the hiring of J. Daryl Anthony to serve as its first executive director. “One of our state’s hallmarks is the stewardship of Read the Rest…
Maryland’s Outdoors Preparing a Cool Transition to Fall One of Maryland’s favorite summer pastimes is visiting the Maryland State Fair. Now in its 140th year, DNR was pleased to participate again this year and showcase the many ways we work to preserve, protect, and enhance our state’s natural resources. It was also a great Read the Rest…
Maryland’s Agreement with Exelon Will Bring Even Greater Results in Eel Passage and Increased Numbers of Water-filtering Mussels The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) and Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announce that more than half a million eels have passed from below the Conowingo Dam to be placed in the river above this Read the Rest…
Maryland Department of Natural Resources Exhibits in the Mosner Miller Building The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will bring displays, exhibits and programs about our state’s forests, fish, waters, and wildlife to the 2021 Maryland State Fair at the Timonium Fairgrounds from Friday, Aug. 26 – Monday, September 6.
Secretary Jeannie Haddaway-Riccio Presents ‘State of the Lake’ Address Maryland Department of Natural Resources Secretary Jeannie Haddaway-Riccio on Tuesday delivered a “State of the Lake” to homeowners, officials, and stakeholders with interest in Deep Creek Lake. The secretary also announced $2.2 million in additional funding for dredging as part of her presentation. Speaking to the Read the Rest…
New Safety Measures and Outreach Campaign Highlighted at State Park Maryland First Lady Yumi Hogan joined the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Assateague Island National Seashore staff, and other guests at Assateague State Park, urging island visitors to drive carefully and “Give Wild Horses a Brake,” part of a new outreach campaign design to Read the Rest…
This weekend’s vaccine availability is the latest stop on the GoVAX Summer Tour The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced the availability of free COVID-19 vaccinations at Sandy Point State Park this weekend, Aug. 14-15. The event is the latest stop on the GoVAX Summer Tour, Read the Rest…
Outdoors Career Training Offers a Lifetime of Growth Outdoor recreation has become more welcome than ever as we seek safe activities to do with our friends and family. Recognizing its importance even before the pandemic, Governor Hogan charged Maryland Commerce Secretary Kelly Schulz and me with co-chairing the Maryland Outdoor Recreation Economic Commission (MOREC). Since Read the Rest…
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