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The Maryland Department of Natural Resources honored 29 members of the 2020-2021 Maryland Conservation Corps during their graduation program on August 5. The ceremony commemorated the members’ completion of 10 months of job training, conservation work, and stewardship with the Maryland Park Service. Members from across the country, all between the ages of 17 and Read the Rest…
‘Deputized’ Organizations Help Promote Maryland Outdoor Recreation A century-old yacht club, a historic ferry, a YMCA and senior center, and two outdoor retailers have been named Maryland Outdoor Recreation Ambassadors in Talbot County for their efforts to promote and expand access to the state’s outdoor recreation opportunities. Governor Larry Hogan, Maryland Commerce Secretary Kelly M. Read the Rest…
Conservation Partnership Deploys ‘Island’ for Colonial Nesting Waterbirds The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Audubon Mid-Atlantic, and Maryland Coastal Bays Program are partnering in research and monitoring efforts to preserve three of Maryland’s state endangered colonial nesting waterbirds — the common tern, royal tern, and black skimmer.
Initiative Funded to Promote Wildlife and Fire Protection, Wood Markets The U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service has awarded funding of $280,852 to the Maryland Forest Service to work with the University of Maryland Extension and many public and private partners across the Delmarva Peninsula to establish a new training and outreach program, the Delmarva Read the Rest…
Leaving a Positive Impact in our Wake I was saddened to hear of the passing of Dr. Sarah Taylor-Rogers, former Maryland Department of Natural Resources Secretary, Maryland Environmental Trust board member, and longtime leader and champion of environmental stewardship in Maryland. Dr. Taylor-Rogers was the first woman to head our department and her public service Read the Rest…
Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund Supports 123 Unique Sites Governor Larry Hogan today announced the award of $22 million to 25 ecological restoration projects that will improve water quality and habitat in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, while building local resilience to climate impacts. These awards encompass 123 unique sites that will be restored Read the Rest…
Funds Support Planning and Design of Green Infrastructure Solutions The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced the award of $415,000 to seven climate resilience projects to help communities prepare for, and recover from, climate-related impacts. These competitive grants are designed to help communities plan and design solutions to withstand flooding and other weather-related events. Read the Rest…
Funding for 60 Boating Access, Navigation, and Safety Projects in 19 Counties Governor Larry Hogan today announced $13.5 million in Waterway Improvement Fund grants for Fiscal Year 2022 to enhance and improve public boating access, facilities, and navigation throughout the state. “Boating is not just an important part of our history and our culture, it Read the Rest…
‘Deputized’ Ambassadors Help Promote Maryland Outdoor Recreation A longstanding fishing club that promotes marine conservation and a nonprofit organization that teaches surfing to autistic children have been named Maryland Outdoor Recreation Ambassadors in Ocean City for their efforts to promote and expand access to the state’s outdoor recreation opportunities. Governor Larry Hogan, Maryland Commerce Secretary Read the Rest…
NRP Veteran Officer Assumes Role of Second-in-Command The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced that 29-year department veteran Robert C. Kersey will serve as deputy superintendent of the Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) effective immediately.
Celebrating the Great Outdoors June is Great Outdoors Month so the Maryland Department of Natural Resources invites you to join us in celebrating outdoor recreation in Maryland! This month also marks Chesapeake Bay Awareness Week (June 5 through the 13) which fits in nicely given that this year’s theme is celebrating recreational opportunities in the Read the Rest…
Living Shoreline and Wetland Installation in Anne Arundel County The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announces resilient shoreline and wetland features are being installed at the West River United Methodist Center, a camp and outdoor recreation facility in southern Anne Arundel County. This groundbreaking is the first of numerous projects supported by Governor Hogan’s Read the Rest…
Funds Support Market Opportunities for Forest Products Industry The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Maryland Forest Service has been awarded nearly $250,000 for a Wood Innovations Grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to develop priority projects with the Maryland Wood Energy Team. This partnership with the Maryland Clean Energy Center, Maryland Department Read the Rest…
‘Deputized’ Ambassadors Help Promote Maryland Outdoor Recreation A hunting outfitter, a nonprofit running club, a special needs sports facility, and an outdoors television program have been named Maryland Outdoor Recreation Ambassadors in Wicomico County for their efforts to promote and expand access to the state’s outdoor recreation opportunities. Maryland Commerce Secretary Kelly M. Schulz and Read the Rest…
Recruitment Down but Spawning Stock Remains at Above Average Levels The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced the results of the 2021 Blue Crab Winter Dredge Survey, a cooperative effort with the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, which annually estimates the number of blue crabs in the Chesapeake Bay. The 2021 results showed that Read the Rest…
May in Maryland – Time for Boats, Birds, and Cicadas! Spring weather means boating season — and I am among the thousands of Marylanders eager to get out on the water. Heavy traffic is expected again on our waterways as outdoor recreation continues to increase. Keep an eye out for our boater safety reminders this Read the Rest…
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Baltimore District (Corps) and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources have entered into an agreement allowing the Corps to use sand from the Outer Continental Shelf for scheduled beach nourishment as part of its Atlantic Coast of Maryland Shoreline Protection Project. The Read the Rest…
Four Baltimore Organizations Help Promote Outdoor Recreation Two nonprofit organizations and two private businesses have been named Maryland Outdoor Recreation Ambassadors, recognized for their efforts to promote and expand access to the state’s outdoor recreation opportunities. Governor Larry Hogan, Maryland Commerce Secretary Kelly Schulz and Maryland Natural Resources Secretary Jeannie Haddaway-Riccio named the ambassadors during Read the Rest…
Maryland’s Waterway Users Get Ready Maryland’s boating season is on the horizon, and the Maryland Natural Resources Police is encouraging Marylanders to take proper precautions to ensure waterway safety. In 2020, Maryland had 155 reportable boating accidents; 64 of those accidents caused injuries and six were fatal, resulting in a total seven deaths. These numbers Read the Rest…
Exelon Makes Initial Payments of More than $5.7 Million to Maryland under $200 Million Agreement Incorporated into Dam Relicensing Maryland has received the first payments, totaling more than $5.7 million, under an agreement that requires the owner of the Conowingo Dam to invest in environmental projects and operational enhancements to improve water quality in the Read the Rest…
Maryland Legislature Urges Change to Federal Rules to Spur Harvest of Invasives The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is pleased to report that the Maryland General Assembly passed legislation aimed at helping the state control the invasive blue catfish population by reducing burdensome regulatory roadblocks that have disincentivized markets. Senate Joint Resolution 4, sponsored by Read the Rest…
Celebrating Our Earth this Spring As we continue to recover from the pandemic, I am more enthused than ever to welcome back spring and get outside. April in particular is a month full of events and opportunities to highlight our state’s amazing natural resources. In fact, it is becoming known as “Earth Month” for its Read the Rest…
Public, Private Sector Partners will Promote State’s Status as Recreation Destination The Maryland Department of Commerce and Maryland Department of Natural Resources have announced that 18 Marylanders from the public and private sectors have been named as the state’s first Outdoor Recreation Ambassadors. As part of their responsibilities, the ambassadors will work to enhance the Read the Rest…
Grants Supports Communities, Projects and Schools The State of Maryland and the Forever Maryland Foundation are proud to announce that 91 Keep Maryland Beautiful grants totaling $312,500 have been awarded toward environmental education, community cleanup, and beautification projects through the Keep Maryland Beautiful program. These annual grants are funded by Maryland Environmental Trust, a unit of the Maryland Read the Rest…
Governor Hogan Addresses DNR Crews That Battled Fires in 11 States Maryland’s wildland firefighters who served on interagency crews nationwide through the busy and challenging 2020 wildfire season were honored recently in a virtual recognition event. Governor Larry Hogan addressed the firefighters with a recorded greeting and Maryland Department of Natural Resources Secretary Jeannie Haddaway-Riccio Read the Rest…
Carroll County Youth Awarded Grand Prize The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced winners of the annual fifth-grade Arbor Day poster contest. Three schools in Maryland that are home to the top winners will benefit with tree plantings this spring. The poster contest is judged annually by a panel of forestry experts and special guest Read the Rest…
Record Visitation Reflects Growing Interest in Outdoor Recreation Amid Pandemic Lt. Governor Boyd K. Rutherford and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced a 45 percent increase in final attendance for Maryland State Parks in 2020 compared to the previous record-setting visitation attendance in 2019. In 2020, Maryland State Parks welcomed 21.5 million Read the Rest…
Ranger Nita Settina Honored by National Association of State Park Directors Maryland Park Service Superintendent Nita Settina was presented with the Distinguished Service Award by a premiere national association of state park professionals. The National Association of State Park Directors (NASPD), an organization dedicated to supporting and promoting state parks, presented the award at its Read the Rest…
Annual First Day Hike Tradition Adapts and Grows The Maryland Department of Natural Resources estimates that 16,237 visitors took part in First Day Hikes in Maryland State Parks during the three-day period from January 1-3, 2021. Following safety provisions to prevent spread of COVID-19, and taking advantage of the long New Year’s weekend, hikers engaged Read the Rest…
State Has Now Provided More Than $9 Million For Farmers, Watermen, and Producers; Part of More Than $600 Million In Emergency Economic Relief At the direction of Governor Larry Hogan, the Maryland Departments of Agriculture (MDA) and Natural Resources (DNR) have now provided more than $9 million in COVID-19 relief funding to farmers, watermen, and Read the Rest…
Weekend Of Self-Guided Walks on Maryland Public Lands The Maryland Department of Natural Resources invites everyone to take a First Day Hike, Maryland’s annual tradition for a fun, healthy way to welcome the New Year. This year, the Maryland Park Service will offer self-guided hike opportunities across the state from January 1-3, 2021. As always, Read the Rest…
Nominations for Next Year’s Award Now Being Accepted The Maryland Sport Fishery Advisory Commission presented its inaugural award for lifetime achievement to two individuals: the late fishing legend Bernand “Lefty” Kreh, and Baltimore County resident Kenneth Lewis. The Maryland Sport Fisheries Achievement Award was established by the commission to honor individuals who have provided sustained Read the Rest…
Governor Hogan Addresses 62nd Basic Class; Force at Near-Record 268 The Maryland Department of Natural Resources Police is proud to welcome 27 new officers to our agency. In front of supporting family, friends, and officers, the former recruits raised their right hand and took an oath to protect Maryland’s citizens and natural resources.
Expansions and New Easements Benefit 17 Maryland Counties The Board of Public Works today unanimously approved recommendations of nearly $20 million in Rural Legacy Program grants for conservation easements and expansion in 17 Maryland counties. Funding from these grants will permanently protect more than 4,500 acres of working farms, forests, marshes, open space, shorelines, and Read the Rest…
State Approved to Provide $3 Million in Direct Assistance The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announces applications will be available Nov. 4 are available through Feb. 28 for economic relief funds for the commercial seafood industry through the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES), for those who have been affected by the Read the Rest…
Funding for Resiliency in Baltimore City, Anne Arundel, and St. Mary’s Counties The Board of Public Works today approved funding for two Resiliency through Restoration projects and one Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund grant, to help Maryland’s communities enhance their ability to withstand the impacts of climate change, erosion, flooding and extreme weather.
Visitors Number 17.1 Million and Counting State Officials Continue to Promote Safe Outdoor Activity During Pandemic Parks Follow All Federal and State Health Guidelines Governor Larry Hogan today announced that the Maryland Park Service is reporting a total of 17.1 million visitors to date in 2020, already surpassing the previous record of 14.9 million total Read the Rest…
Department Awards $26.2 Million through Grants Gateway The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced the awarding of $26.2 million to improve water quality, increase flood resiliency, and help grow the next generation of Maryland’s environmental stewards.
Annual Report Shows Improvement in Several Areas and Tributaries The Maryland Department of Natural Resources reports a second consecutive year of underwater grass loss in certain portions of the Chesapeake Bay in 2019 due to record high rainfall and stream flows into the bay. Some areas of Maryland’s portion of the bay, however, have shown Read the Rest…
Projects Funded Statewide for Improved Boating Access, Navigation, and Safety The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is providing $13.5 million in Waterway Improvement Fund grants in Fiscal Year 2021 to enhance and improve public boating access facilities, water safety, and navigation throughout the state. This funding will go toward 43 projects in 17 counties, along Read the Rest…
Annual Winter Dredge Survey Finds Normal Fluctuation The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced the results of the 2020 Blue Crab Winter Dredge Survey, a cooperative effort with the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, which estimates the number of blue crabs in the Chesapeake Bay annually. The 2020 results showed that the Chesapeake Bay blue Read the Rest…
Marylanders Encouraged to Grow Native Trees and Other Plants The Maryland Park Service is planting more than 10,000 trees in honor of the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, April 22, 2020. From the shores of Assateague Island to the mountains of Western Maryland, rangers will plant native trees on public lands to mark the occasion. Read the Rest…
Maryland Supports Hands-on Learning about Nature The State of Maryland once again recognizes April as Environmental Education Month in Maryland, in recognition of public and private efforts to help children experience and learn about their natural world. This year’s proclamation also recognizes this year as the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, which is April 22.
In Maryland, Fishing Springs Eternal! Each March I look forward to the return of the osprey. While this generally happens before spring’s official arrival on the equinox, it makes me feel that spring – and fishing season – have arrived. March is also when the Department of Natural Resources resumes our weekly Maryland Fishing Report, Read the Rest…
Anglers, Hunters Sought for Cookbook Contributions The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is putting out a call to all wildlife and cooking enthusiasts to submit their favorite recipes featuring Maryland species for possible inclusion in a cookbook.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is supporting a joint resolution proposed by the Maryland General Assembly that will move the state closer to controlling the invasive blue catfish population by commercial harvest. A native of the Mississippi River basin, blue catfish were introduced to the mid-Atlantic in the 1970s. Since then it has exploded Read the Rest…
Carroll County Youth Awarded Grand Prize The judging is complete for the annual fifth-grade Arbor Day poster contest sponsored by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Three schools in Maryland that are home to the top winners will benefit with tree plantings this spring. The poster contest is judged annually by a panel of forestry Read the Rest…
State Developing Leaders to Address Climate Challenges The Hogan administration today recognized 40 professionals as Maryland’s first class of Climate Change Professionals, an international credential administered by the Association of Climate Change Officers, during the meeting of the Board of Public Works. These professionals earned their certifications by participating in six days of training provided Read the Rest…
Property Adjacent to Rosaryville State Park will Expand Recreation The Board of Public Works today approved the Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ acquisition of nearly 200 acres in Prince George’s County. The property is adjacent to Rosaryville State Park and its acquisition will expand the park’s offerings including equestrian opportunities and an expanded trail network. Read the Rest…
State, Partners Working on New Market Strategies The Maryland Department of Natural Resources, the Maryland Department of Commerce, and other state agencies are working with partners across the state to direct grants, programs, and strategies for building new markets for Maryland’s forest products industry. Overall market decline and sudden losses such as the closure of Read the Rest…
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