Maryland Department of Health encourages residents to participate in annual Walk Maryland Day events

BALTIMORE, MD—The Maryland Department of Health is encouraging Marylanders to take part in today’s 6th annual Walk Maryland Day through planned walks across the state, while maintaining social distancing and wearing face coverings. The event is a highlight of the state’s month-long celebration of “Walktober,” which focuses on Maryland’s official exercise. Walk Maryland Day 2020 urges all Marylanders to Walk […]

Governor Hogan announces new attendance record for Maryland state parks

ANNAPOLIS, MD—Governor Larry Hogan on Monday 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 visitors in 2019, with three months still remaining in the year. During peak season in July, state parks attracted 3.4 million visitors, compared to 2.5 million during […]

Angler catches Maryland record gray triggerfish

OCEAN CITY, MD—The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has recognized Logan Liddick of Carlisle, Pa. as the new Maryland state record holder for the gray triggerfish (Balistes capriscus). The 34-year-old angler caught the 6.0-pound, 20-inch long fish on Sept. 25, while fishing near a shipwreck 14 miles off the coast of Ocean City. Using both clams and squid for bait, […]

Governor Hogan calls for systemic reforms to Maryland Environmental Service

ANNAPOLIS, MD—In a letter to General Assembly leaders (below) on Wednesday, Governor Larry Hogan called for bipartisan systemic reforms to the governance structure, oversight, and management of the Maryland Environmental Service (MES). Recent developments have brought to light serious issues with regards to the lack of financial oversight and controls in place at the corporation, including concerns with how MES […]

Maryland gears up for first-ever ‘Walktober’

BALTIMORE, MD—Fun fact: walking is Maryland’s official state exercise. This October, the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) is partnering with state and local agencies, nonprofits, and communities across Maryland to host Walktober, a month-long series of activities and virtual webinars promoting the state’s official exercise. Walktober features the October 7 celebration of the sixth annual Walk Maryland Day, as well […]

Governor Hogan announces statewide efforts to prepare for Tropical Storm Isaias, Marylanders urged to exercise caution

For the latest Tropical Storm Isaias coverage, click here. ANNAPOLIS, MD—As the East Coast braces for Tropical Storm Isaias, Governor Larry Hogan announced on Monday that the State of Maryland has activated a government-wide response to prepare for severe conditions. A Tropical Storm Warning is now in effect for most jurisdictions, in addition to several severe weather watches and warnings […]

Maryland Natural Resources Police enforcing ‘Operation Dry Water’ to curb impaired boating

NOTTINGHAM, MD—The Independence Day holiday weekend means more boaters on the water, which can also bring an increase in boating incidents and fatalities. From July 3-5, the Maryland Natural Resources Police will partner with the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators and the U.S. Coast Guard in the Operation Dry Water campaign of awareness and enforcement to reduce boating […]

Chesapeake Bay blue crab population shows healthy spawning stock

BALTIMORE, MD—The Maryland Department of Natural Resources on Wednesday announced the results of the 2020 Blue Crab Winter Dredge Survey, a cooperative effort with the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, which estimates the number of blue crabs in the Chesapeake Bay annually. The 2020 results showed that the Chesapeake Bay blue crab population maintains a healthy number of spawning-age female […]