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.
The meteorological fall season comes to a close on December 1, and we are beginning to experience consistently cooler temperatures and brisk winds across Maryland. Fall foliage enthusiasts who bundle up and head east will be rewarded with leaves of crimson, amber, and gold adorning the Eastern Shore’s beautiful waterfront landscapes. A few pops of Read the Rest…
The corn mazes are wrapping up, farmers markets are shifting to their winter offerings, and the trees across Maryland are preparing for their winter break. But there are still opportunities to see fall color, especially in the central and eastern parts of the state. A good way to enjoy the remaining fall days is with Read the Rest…
The fall foliage this year has been a moving target, and we find ourselves entering November with some lackluster conditions. We are generally seeing a pattern from western Garrett County in the past peak stage to lots of green with pockets of color in far eastern Maryland. With the recent wind and rain, we’re seeing Read the Rest…
Halloween week is here and this year’s fall foliage has been full of tricks and treats. We’re seeing a wide range of conditions based on location, elevation, and tree types. The wild weather has been throwing things off kilter too, making it difficult to predict what will happen next. Regardless, with the uptick in wind Read the Rest…
Here we are, mid-October, and reports indicate that the leaves are dropping quickly. With wet conditions the past few days and some wind in the forecast for the weekend we may see significant leaf loss through the next week. Fall seems to have taken hold across the state with the west near or at peak 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…
Welcome to the Fall Foliage Report for November 5, brought to you by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Although recent wind and rain have sent much of Maryland past peak foliage, the southern part of the state is looking very colorful.
Welcome to the Fall Foliage Report for October 29, brought to you by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. We are looking forward to a full moon Hallo-weekend with peaking foliage in parts of central Maryland!
Welcome to the Fall Foliage Report for October 22, brought to you by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. This season continues to bring on the best fall color Maryland has seen in years, as Washington and Frederick counties reach peak foliage.
Welcome to the Fall Foliage Report for October 8, brought to you by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. The western corner of Maryland is seeing peak foliage setting in, headlined by the vivid yellows, reds, and oranges of maple leaves. Elsewhere, Maryland forests are exhibiting scattered spots of color, with the real fall showing Read the Rest…
K-9 Ruckus Helps Track Down Clues Following an investigation of illegal hunting and baiting in Patapsco Valley State Park, Maryland Natural Resources Police charged a Glen Burnie man with 17 infractions, including several weapons-related violations. On Nov. 25, officers responded to a report of deer stands and bait within the park. With the help of Read the Rest…
Patapsco River Surges Back to Life One of the most important dam removal projects in the Mid-Atlantic is officially complete. Project partners announced today that the Bloede Dam removal and river restoration is finished and a significant portion of the Patapsco River now flows freely through Patapsco Valley State Park. After 18 months, often spent Read the Rest…
Annual Event Highlights Volunteerism and Stewardship The Maryland Department of Natural Resources invites everyone to Patapsco Valley State Park for Family Fun Day on April 28, a free annual event that encourages a love for the outdoors, along with volunteering and stewardship of our state’s public lands. The event takes place from 1 p.m. to Read the Rest…
March is a time of fluctuating weather, a sort of back-and-forth pull between seasons. Spring is beginning to win out and signs are seen everywhere. Daffodils are opening up, spring peepers are calling out on warmer nights and anglers are fishing for stocked trout and other freshwater fish and even trying their luck on the Read the Rest…
Participation Triples Thanks to Warm Weather The Maryland Department of Natural Resources welcomed approximately 3,700 hikers on 36 hikes at 32 state parks this New Year’s Day as part of the annual First Day Hikes initiative. Hikers trekked about 8,500 miles on trails in every corner of Maryland. Maryland Park Service rangers, staff and volunteers Read the Rest…
Welcome to the Fall Foliage and Festival Report for the weekend of Nov. 17 and 18, brought to you by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Forester Rob Clarke succinctly wraps up the final report for 2018 with, “Let the raking begin!”
Welcome to the Fall Foliage and Festival Report for the weekend of Nov. 10 and 11, brought to you by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. The good news is that leaf peepers have an excellent chance of catching fall foliage at its peak in many parts of the state. However, predictions are that this Read the Rest…
Welcome to the Fall Foliage and Festival Report for the weekend of Nov. 3 and 4, brought to you by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. There is hope for Maryland leaf peepers after all. This is the weekend to take in some brilliant autumnal colors.
Program Brings Young People into Natural Resource Management The Maryland Department of Natural Resources recently welcomed 35 new members to the Maryland Conservation Corps. Each year, this award-winning AmeriCorps program attracts young adults, aged 17-25, to work in comprehensive natural resource management projects and assist with conservation and environmental education efforts at public lands and parks throughout Maryland.
Partnership Effort Restoring Patapsco River, Improving Public Safety Conservation leaders, federal and state officials, and other partners gathered today on the Patapsco River to celebrate the removal of Bloede Dam – an effort that has been a decade in the making, and will have major benefits for fisheries, public safety, recreation, and the health of Read the Rest…
Stargazing Events Light up August Weekends Several Maryland state parks will offer opportunities to observe the Perseid meteor shower and other celestial vistas in August. Commonly referred to as “the Perseids,” this spectacular display of meteors is one of the most popular astronomical events of the year. At peak Aug. 11-13, between 60 and 70 meteors per Read the Rest…
Note: If you’re looking for the June 13 report, please click here. The northern snakehead has gotten a lot of press attention and has been called “Frankenfish.” It inspired a movie called “Snakehead Terror” about 8-foot long fish terrorizing a lakeside community, which helped create a common belief that snakeheads can walk on land. In Read the Rest…
An investigation into illegal shooting on private property has resulted in the arrest of a Glen Burnie man on 13 criminal charges and the seizure of four guns from his property. Kevin Patrick Chetelat, 55, will appear in Anne Arundel County District Court in Annapolis March 24 for a preliminary hearing on the charges, which Read the Rest…
Also, Officers Rescue Dog from Burning Boat, Make Arrests for Stuffed Owls and State Park Damage A Florida man was fined and sentenced Thursday in federal court to probation and community service for illegally transporting snakes and lizards in a case investigated by Maryland Natural Resources Police. William Carl Bartlett, 66, of Eastpoint, was ordered Read the Rest…
More Than 1,200 People Brave Cold for First Day Hikes The Maryland Department of Natural Resources welcomed 1,227 hikers at more than 30 state parks this New Year’s Day as part of the annual First Day Hikes initiative. Maryland Park Service rangers, staff and volunteers guided the brave souls through 2,500 miles of paths and trails, where Read the Rest…
Welcome to the Fall Foliage and Festival Report for the weekend of Nov. 18-19, brought to you by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and Maryland Office of Tourism. Well the Maryland leaf peeper season is coming to a close. While there are some spots of red and yellow in St. Mary’s County and some oaks peaking in Read the Rest…
Welcome to the Fall Foliage and Festival Report for the weekend of Nov. 4 – 5, brought to you by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and Maryland Office of Tourism. In November we’re starting to think of oyster dressing, pumpkin pie and turkey dinners, despite the fairly mild temperatures and presence of still-green leaves on Read the Rest…
Welcome to the Fall Foliage and Festival Report for the weekend of Oct. 28 and 29, brought to you by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and Maryland Office of Tourism. Well, this is the weekend for ghosts, goblins and other fright-worthy tricks and treats, and there are lots of Halloween events for everyone to enjoy!
Welcome to the Fall Foliage and Festival Report for the weekend of Oct. 21 and 22, brought to you by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and Maryland Office of Tourism. The Mid-Atlantic region is basking in the glow of an Indian summer, and if you’re planning to head west this weekend, you should meet with good Read the Rest…
Award-winning AmeriCorps Program Engages Young Adults in Natural Resource Projects The Maryland Department of Natural Resources recently welcomed 35 new members into the Maryland Conservation Corps. This award-winning AmeriCorps program involves young adults aged 17-25 in comprehensive natural resource management projects and substantial conservation and environmental education efforts at public lands and parks throughout the state.
Effort will improve public safety, health of Patapsco River and Chesapeake Bay Construction workers broke ground this month on a major project to restore the health of the Patapsco River and Chesapeake Bay and improve public safety in Maryland’s Patapsco Valley State Park. Workers are relocating a sewer line and preparing the site in preparation Read the Rest…
Important Public Safety and River Restoration Project Starts After Labor Day The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced today that the Bloede Dam, located along the Patapsco River, is scheduled to be removed from Patapsco Valley State Park over the next two years, with completion scheduled for late spring 2019. Construction staging and trail closures Read the Rest…
Ten-Month Program Includes Work with the Maryland Park Service The Maryland Department of Natural Resources honored 32 members of the 2016-2017 Maryland Conservation Corps Thursday during their graduation program. The ceremony at the Wye Island Natural Resource Management Area in Queen Anne’s County capped the students’ completion of 1,700 hours of work with the Maryland Park Service.
“Es Mi Parque” Engages and Serves State Park Visitors The Maryland Department of Natural Resources kicked off a new citizen outreach program, “Es Mi Parque,” or “This is My Park,” designed to better serve the growing Hispanic population at state parks throughout Maryland. The first outreach event of 2017 took place June 10 at Sandy Point State Park in Annapolis.
Environmentally-Friendly Play Space Accessible to All One of Maryland’s oldest state parks is set to unveil a brand-new amenity, a completely reconstructed playground with up-to-date features. The new Hollofield Play Space at Patapsco Valley State Park will contain nature-based elements, such as simulated hollow logs, tree stumps, rocks and toadstools.
Over Two Dozen Participate in Fishing Event The Maryland Department of Natural Resources partnered with Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing March 30 to host a fishing event at Lost Lake in Patapsco Valley State Park.
Maryland Natural Resources Police officers made three fisheries cases, charged a deer poacher and cited a man for dumping and burning rubbish on state land in recent enforcement action. Three Somerset County men were charged Sunday with multiple counts of illegal harvesting from state waters and falsifying records to hide their activity.