Before John Smith arrived and even before the glaciers melted to create the Chesapeake Bay, Indigenous Peoples had called the land that is now Maryland home. Indigenous sites in Maryland have been dated as early as 12,000 years ago by archaeologists. Many Indigenous People lived along the then Susquehanna River, using the resources provided by Read the Rest…
News from the Office of Gov. Wes Moore ANNAPOLIS, MD—Governor Wes Moore today presided over a meeting where the Board of Public Works approved the purchase of an exceptional 42-acre lodge property surrounded by Savage River State Forest in Garrett County. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources was approved to purchase the property—which also includes Read the Rest…
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources honored 39 members of the 2023-2024 Maryland Conservation Corps during their graduation program at Wye Island Natural Resources Management Area. The August 1 ceremony capped the members’ completion of 10 months of job training, conservation work, and stewardship with the Maryland Park Service.
Officers were awarded for lifesaving action, exceptional conservation enforcement, and more The Maryland Natural Resources Police held its annual award ceremony to recognize the achievements made by conservation law enforcement officers and civilians in 2023. The officers were presented honors by Maryland Department of Natural Resources Sec. Josh Kurtz and Natural Resources Police Acting Lt. Read the Rest…
The Maryland Park Service today graduated 21 new State Park Rangers following four weeks of training. The rangers were honored in a ceremony at Elk Neck State Park and NorthBay Adventure Camp.
Rehabilitated eagles are ambassadors for environmental action and the Endangered Species Act Two winged representatives from the Maryland Park Service attended the White House this month. Rehabilitated bald eagles Buck and Mo, along with a contingent of Maryland Park Service Rangers, were invited to the White House to celebrate the anniversary of the Endangered Species Read the Rest…
“Two sounds of autumn are unmistakable … the hurrying rustle of crisp leaves blown along the street … by a gusty wind, and the gabble of a flock of migrating geese.” —Hal Borland A Department of Natural Resources drone captured this patchwork of autumnal beauty over the Burkholder off-road vehicle trail area of Potomac-Garrett Read the Rest…
“In the entire circle of the year there are no days so delightful as those of a fine October.” Alexander Smith Fall days are here – blue skies, clouds like giant marshmallows, and gobs of sunshine. The only thing missing is the cooler daytime temperatures characteristic of fall weather. Crisp autumn air causes leaves Read the Rest…
“I cannot endure to waste something as precious as autumn sunshine by staying in the house.” – Nathaniel Hawthorne Most of us are rejoicing after seeing the sun for the first time in days. Tropical Storm Ophelia brought drenching rain to Maryland’s coastal region last weekend, with additional rain stretching into the western portion of Read the Rest…
Maryland Teens Complete Outdoor Jobs Skills Program The Maryland Park Service graduated 33 young Marylanders from the Conservation Jobs Corps after four weeks of job training, conservation education, hard work, and fun.
Program helps launch careers for environmental stewards The Maryland Department of Natural Resources honored 35 members of the 2022-2023 Maryland Conservation Corps during their graduation program at Wye Island Natural Resources Management Area. The August 3 ceremony capped the members’ completion of 10 months of job training, conservation work, and stewardship with the Maryland Park Read the Rest…
Supporters Provide ‘Small Grants, Big Impact’ The Friends of Maryland State Parks Foundation recently awarded 19 grants totaling $31,280 to Maryland State Parks statewide, through the organization’s “Small Grants, Big Impact” initiative. These funds will provide resources to parks throughout the state for fishing education, bike repair stands, reforestation, and the purchase of kayaks and Read the Rest…
After Four-Week Training Program, Rangers Hit the Ground Running The Maryland Park Service recently graduated 20 new State Park Rangers, having held their graduation ceremony on Feb. 24 at Elk Neck State Park and NorthBay Adventure Camp, following four weeks of training. Since the Maryland Park Service’s modern ranger school program was established in 2009, Read the Rest…
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…
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…
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…
Working to Protect Our Resources for Generations to Come I know we are not supposed to have favorites, but one of my favorite programs at the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is our conservation corps. These important programs provide workforce and leadership training to youth and veterans, which is important not just for our Read the Rest…
With record levels of investment in recent years, Maryland State Parks are expanding, with new parks and facilities being opened and existing properties undergoing upgrades. Statewide, landscape restoration projects are also underway to improve wildlife habitat, restore streams and shorelines, and plant trees. These efforts are designed to ensure that Maryland’s award-winning state park system Read the Rest…
Program Provides Career Training for Environmental Stewards The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) honored 35 members of the 2021-2022 Maryland Conservation Corps during their graduation program on August 3. 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 Read the Rest…
Protective Applications Help Birds Avoid Glass The Maryland Department of Natural Resources and Safe Skies Maryland recently partnered to install special window treatments that reduce and prevent bird collisions with windows at the department’s Tawes State Office Building headquarters in Annapolis.
Award-Winning Program Provides Practical Experience and Skills Training The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is now recruiting members for the Maryland Conservation Corps, an award-winning AmeriCorps program that engages young adults aged 17-25 in extensive conservation, environmental, and natural resources management projects across the state. The department seeks to hire 35 full-time members who will Read the Rest…
It’s hard to find a bigger fan of Maryland’s state parks than Ranger Melissa Acuti. As Chief of Interpretation with the Maryland Park Service, she creates and supports statewide park-based programs like First Day Hikes, Junior Rangers, Scales & Tales, Es Mi Parque, and Park Quest. Anyone who has participated in any of these programs Read the Rest…
Conservation Officers Cited for Going Beyond the Call of Duty The Maryland Natural Resources Police held its annual award ceremony at Sandy Point State Park Oct. 2 to recognize contributions to conservation law enforcement made by officers in the year 2020. During a year that presented many challenges and difficulties, NRP officers remained steadfast and Read the Rest…
‘Small Grants, Big Impact’ Program Launched in 2020 Maryland State Parks are completing 15 projects with the assistance of a new grant program of the Friends of Maryland State Parks, improving trails and habitats and enhancing opportunities for kids and adults to learn about aquatic river life, pollinators, terrapins and more. Launched in 2020, the Read the Rest…
Rededication of Restored 1872 Election House Part of Community Event The Maryland Park Service joins with Garrett County organizations on Aug. 28 to host a Women’s Equality Day Celebration including a historic march reenactment and event at Sang Run State Park from 11 a.m to 2 p.m. This event commemorates the ratification of the 19th Read the Rest…
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…
Young Adults Can Gain Practical Experience and Skills Training The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is now recruiting members for the Maryland Conservation Corps, an award-winning AmeriCorps program that engages young adults aged 17-25 in extensive conservation, environmental and natural resources management projects across the state. The department seeks to hire 35 full-time members who Read the Rest…
Participants Can Support Nature and Win Park Prizes The Maryland Park Service is challenging Marylanders everywhere to join a new tradition — Create Your Own State Park at home! Begun during the pandemic in 2020, this innovative series of activities — with prizes available for participants — teaches Marylanders how to provide their own place Read the Rest…
Customers Can Now Book Several Campsites at Big Run Campers looking to reserve a campsite on Maryland’s public lands can now use the Department of Natural Resources online reservation system to book one of 18 primitive sites at Savage River State Forest’s Big Run campground in Garrett County.
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…
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…
Welcome to the Fall Foliage Report for November 12, brought to you by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Fall colors have finally reached their peak in Southern Maryland and the lower Eastern Shore. Plan a drive or hike to get out and see the foliage this weekend!