Maryland Department of Natural Resources Press Releases

• Published on April 2, 2025 - 20:29 GMT

  Board of Public Works Approves $4.85 Million for Recreation and Land Conservation in Anne Arundel, Cecil, Frederick, Howard, ...

  April 2, 2025 Funding approved for DNR’s Program Open Space, Local Parks and Playgrounds Infrastructure and CREP Permanent Easement programs A passive park is planned along Saltworks Creek in Annapolis. Photo by by Paul Henning, submitted to the 2019 …

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• Published on April 2, 2025 - 20:29 GMT

  Maryland Arbor Day 2025 Celebrates Growing Interest in Tree Planting

  April 2, 2025 State Forester Anne Hairston-Strang holds the governor’s proclamation of April 2, 2025 as Maryland Arbor Day during today’s Board of Public Works meeting. Photo by Joe Andrucyk, Office of the Governor. Governor Wes Moore proclaimed April 2, …

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• Published on March 31, 2025 - 18:15 GMT

  Safe Storage of Hunting Firearms Keeps Them Out of the Wrong Hands

  March 31, 2025 Shotguns are stored in a vertical rack at a Department of Natural Resources/Becoming an Outdoors Woman firearm safety and shooting event. Maryland DNR photo. With the close of Maryland’s deer seasons, many hunters have already put their …

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• Published on March 27, 2025 - 22:37 GMT

  Cold Water Safety: Rising Air Temperatures Don’t Equal Warm Water Temperatures

  March 27, 2025 Dress for the water temperature, not the air temperature, and always wear a life jacket. Paddlers and small boat operators should use extreme caution on the water this spring. Maryland DNR photo. With rising outdoor temperatures on the way …

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• Published on March 27, 2025 - 13:07 GMT

  Western Maryland Rail Trail Repaved and Ready for Spring

  March 27, 2025 The Western Maryland Rail Trail is newly paved. Maryland DNR photo. The Western Maryland Rail Trail in Washington County is freshly repaved and ready for warm-weather hiking and biking this spring. Over time, roots from trees had caused the …

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• Published on March 26, 2025 - 19:59 GMT

  Maryland Fishing Report – March 26

  Gregory Garland went fishing with his mom on the youth trout fishing day, and based on the smiles they had a wonderful time at 15 Mile Creek. Photo by Cassidy Garland. Maryland’s second second annual youth trout fishing day was beautiful and sunny, perfect …

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• Published on March 26, 2025 - 17:29 GMT

  Harford County Fisherman Named 18th FishMaryland Master Angler

  March 26, 2025 State record holder for rock bass, Thomas Over Jr,. reaches new milestone Master Angler Thomas Over Jr. holds a trophy-sized striped bass that was caught and released in January. Photo courtesy of Thomas Over Jr., used with permision. Thomas …

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• Published on March 25, 2025 - 13:23 GMT

  Friends of Maryland State Parks Group Awards Funds Through 2025 ‘Small Grants, Big Impact!’

  March 25, 2025 Funds support important projects in parks statewide Friends of Maryland State Parks presented grant funds to Assateague State Park. Maryland DNR photo. Friends of Maryland State Parks has awarded 22 grants totaling $37,855 to state parks …

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• Published on March 24, 2025 - 18:30 GMT

  Maryland Clean Marina Certified in Queen Anne’s County

  March 24, 2025 Marina and boatyard improvements improve local water quality and help restore the Chesapeake Bay Cedar Point Marina General Manager Jake Boulay and Office Manager Shelby Cunningham display their Maryland Clean Marina certificate. Maryland …

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• Published on March 21, 2025 - 15:40 GMT

  Natural Heritage Program Spotlight: Max Ferlauto, Entomologist

  March 21, 2025 Bumblebee. Photo courtesy of USGS-PWRC The arrival of spring for many wild animals and plants means emerging from a period of quiet and slumber – but that is not true for the small staff of the Natural Heritage Program. Our biologists have a …

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• Published on March 21, 2025 - 14:58 GMT

  Leaf Language and Root Words: How Plants Communicate

  March 21, 2025 Evening Sun by Pamela Brumbley, submitted to 2016 Maryland DNR Photo Contest. The human world is so fraught with communication it can feel overwhelming at times. Getting out into nature can be a relief for those of us looking for some peace …

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• Published on March 21, 2025 - 14:19 GMT

  Native Animal Profile: Red-winged Blackbird

  March 21, 2025 Red-wing Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus). Maryland DNR staff photo. Red-winged blackbirds are not rare, but they certainly are beautiful! Chances are you have spotted them many times or heard their call, “Conk-la-REE!” Their scientific name …

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• Published on March 21, 2025 - 13:58 GMT

  Wild Acres In Action: A Local Outdoor Classroom

  March 21, 2025 Fifth-graders after helping plant six new spice bush and witch hazels (Lindera benzoin and Hamamelis virginiana). Photo by R.M. Greene Recently we received this correspondence from a Master Naturalist working in Silver Spring at a Middle …

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• Published on March 20, 2025 - 15:04 GMT

  Keep Maryland Beautiful Grants Award $238,751 for Conservation Efforts for 2025

  March 20, 2025 Keep Maryland Beautiful grants include funds for land trusts to increase their capacity; many, like American Chestnut Land Trust in Calvert County, have used funds to enhance land stewardship practices and increase community programming and …

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• Published on March 19, 2025 - 20:45 GMT

  Maryland Fishing Report – March 19

  Photo by Tommy O’Connell Spring is making its presence known, and the warm sunny days are bringing out anglers. Maryland’s special youth trout fishing day is Saturday, March 22 and the traditional opening day of trout season is March 29. No matter what you …

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• Published on March 19, 2025 - 19:24 GMT

  Board of Public Works Approves $15.3 Million for Park Improvements and Land Conservation in Baltimore City and Several Counties

  March 19, 2025 Funding approved for DNR’s Program Open Space, Local Parks and Playgrounds Infrastructure, Recreation Communication Board, and Rural Legacy programs Funds were approved for the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy will acquire a 399-acre easement …

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• Published on March 18, 2025 - 18:40 GMT

  Maryland Youth Fishing Rodeo Schedule Set for 2025 Season

  March 18, 2025 Dozens of events offer safe and free fishing for children and teens A young angler with his catch during a 2024 youth fishing rodeo near Easton. Maryland DNR photo. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) encourages youths ages 3 …

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• Published on March 17, 2025 - 19:18 GMT

  Maryland DNR 2024 Fall Oyster Survey Records Solid Reproduction for Fifth Consecutive Year 

  March 17, 2025 Oysters measured during the 2024 fall survey. Photo by Robert Bussell, Maryland DNR. Oyster populations in the Chesapeake Bay are faring well, according to preliminary results of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ annual Fall …

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• Published on March 17, 2025 - 17:58 GMT

  Wolf Den Run State Park Trail Added to Jeep ‘Badge of Honor’ Program

  March 17, 2025 Trail nominated by Maryland’s off-road enthusiasts to join national program Four vehicles traverse an off-highway trail at Wolf Den Run State Park. Photo courtesy of Ken Kyler. An off-highway vehicle trail at Wolf Den Run State Park is now …

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• Published on March 13, 2025 - 20:27 GMT

  Maryland Natural Resources Police Report: Winter 2024-25

  March 13, 2025 Officers conduct foot patrol through known hunting areas in search of illegal hunting activity, permanent stands, bait locations, and more in pursuit of poachers. Maryland DNR photo. The Maryland Natural Resources Police issued various …

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