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Maryland Lifts Statewide Ban on Outdoor Burning

Following a review of weather and ground conditions, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources has rescinded a statewide ban on open-air burning that was implemented to prevent the spread of wildfires across the state.  Extremely dry conditions that had persisted throughout the year led to an above average number of wildfires statewide in October, leading  Read the Rest…



Fall Foliage Report for November 7, 2024

All of Maryland is now past peak foliage for the year.  A drought that has affected Maryland throughout the year continues. As of Nov. 5, more than 53% of the state is experiencing severe drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. More than 83% of Maryland is experiencing moderate drought.  These dry conditions have made for  Read the Rest…


Maryland 2024 Volunteer Fire Assistance Grants Help Local Firefighters Enhance Wildland Fire Protection

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources Forest Service has awarded Volunteer Fire Assistance grants to 55 volunteer fire departments in 18 counties across the state this year.  The funding helps volunteer fire companies enhance wildland fire protection in rural communities. In 2024, 64 volunteer fire departments from 18 counties applied for funding assistance to help  Read the Rest…




Fall Foliage Report for October 24, 2024

In Western Maryland the foliage season is coming to a close, while trees on the Eastern Shore are hitting a midpoint. Trees in Central Maryland are at peak. “In Anne Arundel, the sun-splashed yellow hickory leaves are sprinkled through the forest canopy. The red black gum are prominent while sweet gum are reddening up,” says  Read the Rest…


Fall Foliage Report for October 17, 2024

Parts of Western Maryland are past peak foliage for the season, while on the Eastern Shore and Southern Maryland leaves are approaching their midpoint.  In Patapsco Valley State Park there are pockets of green, as well as holes in the forest canopy where winds have knocked down foliage. Foliage in Frederick is near its peak.  Read the Rest…



Maryland Fall Foliage Preview 2024

Welcome to the Maryland Fall Foliage Report for 2024. Fall officially begins on Sunday, September 22 at 8:44 a.m.  Many of Maryland’s trees are changing color earlier than usual this year due to drought. Marylanders can also expect to see more yellow and gold tones, and fewer reds and purples.  Forester Melissa Nash in Garrett  Read the Rest…


Sustainable Forest Management Public Discussion Scheduled at Pocomoke River State Park

The Maryland Forest Service invites the public to a question-and-answer session about sustainable state forest management on the Eastern Shore from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. October 16 at the Manokin Pavilion in Pocomoke River State Park.   Staff will share information on the Forest Service’s sustainable forest management plan and facts about Pocomoke State Forest  Read the Rest…


Certification Recognizes Maryland State Forests as Sustainable

Maryland state forests recently completed their annual recertification process Independent auditors recently reviewed the Pocomoke State Forest and Chesapeake Forest Lands, two state forests on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, and recertified them as sustainable, meeting international standards for forest management. Twenty-one years ago, the Chesapeake Forest Lands became the state’s first certified forests, a recognition now  Read the Rest…



Public Comment Sought for 2025 Maryland State Forest Work Plans

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is now seeking public comment on the proposed fiscal year 2025 annual work plans for the following state forests: Chesapeake/Pocomoke, Green Ridge, Potomac-Garrett, and Savage River. The comment period concludes Thursday, May 30, 2024. Annual work plans help the department identify priorities within the scope of the forests’ long-range  Read the Rest…



Forest Service Prepares for a Surge of Spring Tree Plantings as It Celebrates Maryland Arbor Day

Governor Wes Moore proclaimed April 3, 2024 as the 141th annual Maryland Arbor Day celebration. Following tradition, Maryland Department of Natural Resources Secretary Josh Kurtz presented tree seedlings to the members of the Board of Public Works at their meeting, chaired today by Lt. Governor Aruna Miller. “One of the most important things about Arbor  Read the Rest…


Maryland Department of Natural Resources: Number of Wildfires, Acreage Burned Increased in 2023

Acreage burned by wildfires in 2023 was more than double the 10-year average, with one significant fire responsible for the increase The number of wildfires and the acreage of land burned by wildfires in Maryland last year significantly outpaced the 10-year average, according to the Maryland Forest Service’s Annual Wildland Fire Report. The report, which  Read the Rest…


Maryland Forest Service Now Accepting Applications for the Community Forestry Catalyst Fund

The Maryland Forest Service is offering a new grant program to distribute $4.8 million in federal Inflation Reduction Act funds towards urban and community forestry projects during the next four years.  The Community Forestry Catalyst Fund expands resources for Maryland’s ambitious commitment to enhance its forest cover and tree canopy through the state’s 5 Million  Read the Rest…


Maryland Fifth Graders Invited to Submit Arbor Day Posters for 2024

Annual contest taking submissions until March 1, 2024 The Maryland Department of Natural Resources and Forest Conservancy District Boards invite all Maryland fifth graders in private and public schools to participate in the annual Arbor Day Poster Contest. The theme for 2024 is: “Trees Are Terrific…in All Shapes and Sizes!” to celebrate the importance of diversity of tree species within  Read the Rest…


Maryland Forest Service Awards Volunteer Fire Assistance Grants for 2023

Funding provided to 52 volunteer fire departments in 17 counties The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Forest Service awarded Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) grants to 52 volunteer fire departments across the state to enhance wildland fire protection in rural communities. For 2023, the Maryland Forest Service awarded grant funds totaling $149,325 in match funding  Read the Rest…



Public Input Sought on State Forest Work Plan Update

Additional silviculture operation proposed for Potomac-Garrett State Forest in FY24 The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is seeking public comment on an additional silvicultural operation proposed as an inclusion to the Potomac-Garrett State Forest Annual Work Plan for fiscal year 2024. The comment period concludes November 17​, 2023. The proposed harvest is being added to  Read the Rest…




Maryland Fall Foliage Forecast 2023

“Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall.” -F. Scott Fitzgerald Fall officially kicks off Saturday, September 23, 2023—the same day as the autumn equinox—in the Northern Hemisphere. Many of us in Maryland are looking forward to leaving behind the days of record-breaking heat and welcoming clear, blue skies, cooler evenings  Read the Rest…


Maryland Department of Natural Resources Purchases Former Bay Club Golf Course to Preserve Open Space in Worcester County

Partnership with Lower Shore Land Trust Adds to Chesapeake Forest Lands The Maryland Department of Natural Resources, in partnership with Lower Shore Land Trust, today announced the  purchase of the former Bay Club near Berlin, Worcester County, from Carl M. Freeman Companies. Formerly a golf club, this purchase will help  conserve 672 acres in the  Read the Rest…


Secretary’s Message – May 2023

Maryland’s Sustainable Forestry is Reason to Celebrate This past month we celebrated Arbor Day twice – a state commemoration the first Wednesday of April and then national Arbor Day on the last Friday. From the cleanliness of our air to the health of the Chesapeake Bay, the importance of forest conservation to every aspect of  Read the Rest…


When Marylanders Register Their Vehicles, They Can Now Support the Environment and Statewide Tree Plantings

Motor Vehicle Administration, Department of Natural Resources Partnership Provides Option for Tree-Mendous Maryland Donations There is a new way for Marylanders to help restore tree cover and mitigate the harmful effects of pollution in the “Old Line State.” The Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration, in partnership with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources,  Read the Rest…




Maryland Department of Natural Resources Seeking Public Comment for 2024 State Forest Work Plans

Input Accepted Through April 21 The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is seeking public comment on the proposed fiscal year 2024 annual work plans for the Chesapeake/Pocomoke, Green Ridge, Potomac-Garrett, and Savage River state forests. The comment period concludes Friday, April 21, 2023. Annual work plans help the department identify priorities within the scope of  Read the Rest…



Maryland DNR Announces 2022 Volunteer Fire Assistance Grants

Local Departments Get Funding to Enhance Wildfire Protection The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Forest Service announced the awarding of Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) grants to 53 volunteer fire departments in 15 counties across the state. The projects to be funded help volunteer fire companies enhance their wildland fire protection in rural communities.


Maryland Fifth Graders Invited to Submit Arbor Day Posters for 2023

Annual Contest Taking Submissions until January 20, 2023 The Maryland Department of Natural Resources and Forest Conservancy District Boards invite all Maryland fifth graders in private and public schools to participate in the annual Arbor Day Poster Contest. The theme for 2023 is: “Trees Are Terrific…and Cool our Communities!” All entries must be delivered to a local Maryland Forest Service  Read the Rest…


Marylanders Reminded to Hire Licensed Tree Experts

Make Sure Work is Legal, Safe, and Insured Now that leaves are fallen, many Marylanders will prepare for winter by trimming live trees or removing dead trees. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has a few important suggestions that homeowners should follow before hiring a contractor to do the work.


DNR at Maryland State Fair for 2022

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…


Maryland State Forests Earn Sustainability Certification for 19th Consecutive Year

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…


Arbor Day Celebrated at Maryland’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities

Colleges Eligible for Tree Campus Higher Education Award As part of celebrating the 150th National Arbor Day on April 29, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources announces that all four Maryland historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) have completed the first step to be eligible to apply for the Arbor Day Foundation’s Tree Campus Higher  Read the Rest…






Public Comment Sought for 2023 Maryland State Forest Work Plans

Forest Service Seeks Input on Proposals Through March 4 The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is seeking public comment on the proposed fiscal year 2023 annual work plans for the following state forests: Chesapeake/Pocomoke, Green Ridge, Potomac-Garrett, and Savage River. The comment period concludes March 4, 2022. Annual work plans help the department identify priorities  Read the Rest…





Maryland’s Fire Teams Complete COVID Vaccination Deployment

Emergency Responders Helped Prevent A Different Kind of ‘Wildfire’ Maryland’s interagency firefighters and emergency medical technicians, usually deployed to help fight wildland fires nationwide, have completed several deployments to assist mass COVID vaccination efforts in Maryland and other East Coast states. Maryland provided 20 Incident Management Team members and Emergency Medical Technicians to staff this  Read the Rest…


Maryland Receives Funding to Develop Wood Energy Projects

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…


Maryland Forest Action Plan and Strategy Finalized

Focus on Growing Forests, Habitats, Markets, and Jobs The Maryland Forest Service has released its Maryland Forest Action Plan, which contains an assessment of statewide forest conditions and a strategy that identifies major goals and actions to reach them. Working collaboratively with partners and stakeholders, the Maryland Forest Service developed a Forest Action Plan Strategy,  Read the Rest…


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