“How beautifully leaves grow old. How full of light and color are their last days.” – George Burns Fall foliage in Maryland this year was unpredictable yet still delighted with breathtaking fall color, even if it was short-lived in some areas of the state. We began the season discussing possible leaf outcomes from this summer’s Read the Rest…
“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…
It’s a new day for Maryland’s Bays Governor Wes Moore recently announced a new strategy for how Maryland will deploy state resources to improve water quality in our waterways by better aligning our ongoing Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Coastal Bays cleanup efforts with the latest science. A major study released in May by leading Chesapeake Read the Rest…
Maryland’s boating and swimming season is in full swing and the Maryland Natural Resources Police is urging Marylanders to take proper precautions to ensure safe enjoyment of Maryland’s waterways this summer.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources today announced the summer schedule for ‘Es Mi Parque’ Spanish-language activity events at state parks throughout Maryland. The Es Mi Parque program was launched by the Department of Natural Resources in 2016 as a pilot project to improve customer service and reduce access barriers for the Hispanic community. It Read the Rest…
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced that beginning today, state resident first responders and law enforcement officers will receive a $40 discount for an Annual State Park and Trail Passport. The passport, which allows unlimited day-use entry for all of Maryland’s state parks and park facilities for one year, is otherwise available for $75 Read the Rest…
Renewing Our Commitment to our State Parks Although our state parks welcome visitors all year, the arrival of spring means that visitation of Maryland’s vast public lands is about to increase. As I have made my way to Maryland Department of Natural Resources facilities across the state, I have seen the exemplary preparedness and dedication 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…
Ranger-led and Self-guided Hikes Available Across Maryland The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) invites all Marylanders to take a First Day Hike —Maryland’s annual tradition for a fun, healthy way to welcome the New Year. Maryland State Parks will be offering First Weekend hike opportunities across the state from December 31, 2022 – January Read the Rest…
Migrating Pollinators Take Center Stage September 24 The Maryland Department of Natural Resources invites everyone to Merkle Wildlife Sanctuary to celebrate the fall migration of the monarch butterfly with the annual Monarchs and Milkweeds at Merkle event on Sept. 24 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Activities in this free event include tagging and releasing Read the Rest…
Nonprofit Provides ‘Small Grant, Big Impact’ Funds for 15 Projects The Maryland Park Service was awarded 15 improvement project grants by the Friends of Maryland State Parks through the organization’s program, “Small Grants, Big Impact!” This funding is for projects that focus on conservation, environmental education, and outdoor recreation, and are important additions benefitting Maryland 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…
Maryland Teens Complete Outdoor Jobs Skills Program More than three dozen young Marylanders celebrated their graduation from the Conservation Jobs Corps August 2 after five weeks of job training, conservation education, hard work, and fun. The ceremony was held at Sandy Point State Park in Anne Arundel County with former Veterans Conservation Corps crew leader Read the Rest…
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…
‘Project Butterfly & Bumblebee’ Includes Activities and Donation Opportunities This spring, the Maryland Park Service has launched Project Butterfly & Bumblebee, an ongoing slate of programs and activities to educate the general public about the role pollinators play in maintaining diverse ecosystems and the nation’s food supply. Pollinators are any insect or animal that transfers 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.
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…
Planting Seeds for Future Growth Recent cold weather aside, spring is in full swing, and this year is definitely one to celebrate. As flowers begin to bloom and birds begin to nest, we are pleased to return to many of our favorite warm-weather traditions — including burning socks and planting trees! In fact, I recently Read the Rest…
Young Angler Events Return Across Maryland Youth anglers of all ages are encouraged to hone their fishing skills at any of Maryland’s nearly 50 youth fishing rodeos spread out across the state this year. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is working with dozens of organizations in 14 counties crisscrossing the state to offer 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…
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…
DNR Raising Awareness on Keeping Parks Clean and Green Maryland State Parks have surpassed visitation records the past two years, and 2021 is on track to meet or exceed these unprecedented numbers. Although visitation to Maryland’s parks is traditionally heavy in spring, numbers ramp up even more significantly during the Memorial Day weekend, the unofficial 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…
Annual Adventure Runs May 1 through Oct. 31 The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announces the annual Maryland Park Quest returns for 2021, running from May 1 through Oct. 31. In this beloved annual tradition, more than 25 Maryland State Parks, will offer opportunities to engage families in outdoor activities to experience Maryland’s vast cultural, historical, 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…
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…
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…
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…
Welcome to the Fall Foliage and Festival Report for October 1, brought to you by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
‘MCC Strong’ Members Completed 1,700 Service Hours The Maryland Department of Natural Resources honored 31 members of the 2019-2020 Maryland Conservation Corps during their virtual graduation program on August 5. The virtual ceremony commemorated the students’ completion of 10 months of job training, conservation work, and stewardship with the Maryland Park Service. Members from across Read the Rest…
Program Provides Experience and Skills Training for Young Adults 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…
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…
Governor Larry Hogan has issued an executive order on March 30, 2020, which institutes a Stay at Home directive and says that no Maryland resident should be leaving their home unless it is for an essential job or reason, such as obtaining food or medicine, seeking urgent medical attention, or for other necessary purposes. While Read the Rest…
Information for our Patrons, Customers, and Friends Governor Larry Hogan and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources are taking proactive steps to minimize the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in Maryland. Following Governor Hogan’s emergency actions to protect public health during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources will remain operational, but we Read the Rest…
Weekends in February Offer Inspiring Programs In celebration of Black History Month, Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State Park and Visitor Center invites everyone to free, family-friendly programs every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in February. The park, located near Harriet Tubman’s birthplace in Dorchester County, is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and houses Read the Rest…
Maryland Public Lands Hosting 40 Hikes Across State The Maryland Department of Natural Resources invites everyone to join a First Day Hike, Maryland’s annual tradition for a fun, healthy kickoff to the New Year. On Jan. 1, 2020, the Maryland Park Service will offer 40 guided hikes on 33 state lands and parks, as part Read the Rest…
Benefits, Discounts Provided for Those Who Serve In recognition of Veterans Day, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources announces its numerous resources available to veterans. In February 2019, joined by more than 100 veterans, Governor Larry Hogan proclaimed 2019 as the Year of the Veteran in Maryland. This yearlong observance honors United States veterans and Read the Rest…
A Natural Expression of Gratitude to Our Veterans Governor Larry Hogan declared 2019 the Year of the Veteran, a yearlong observance to raise awareness of the brave service and sacrifice our United States veterans and families have made for Maryland and our country. While our nation will celebrate on Veterans Day, the governor’s declaration is Read the Rest…
Fire Prevention Message Spreads Through Public Lands The public is invited to join the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Aug. 9 in honoring one of the country’s iconic conservation heroes on his birthday. For 75 years, Smokey Bear has served as a national symbol for wildfire prevention — the longest running and most recognizable public Read the Rest…
Fifty Years Young, The Department’s Mission Continues July 2019 marks exactly 50 years since Governor Marvin Mandel replaced the former Board of Natural Resources with a cabinet-level Department of Natural Resources and our operations began. As we celebrate this milestone, DNR is really proud of the fact that our work is making a difference in Read the Rest…
Stewardship and Real-World Job Training for Young Adults 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…
Maryland Was Made for Great Outdoors Month June marks the official start of summer — although it feels like it really began weeks ago — and June also marks National Great Outdoors Month. While this is a national celebration, no one does outdoors better than Maryland! The State of Maryland features a unique array of Read the Rest…
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