BALTIMORE, MD—The University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science (UMCES) released its annual report card this week with the overall Chesapeake Bay earning a grade of C+ (55%), the highest grade since 2002. The 2023/2024 Chesapeake Bay and Watershed Report Card is the 17th annual ecosystem report card. Overall, the health of the Chesapeake Bay is improving slightly, with 11 […]
BALTIMORE, MD—The state has a new FishMaryland Master Angler, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced this week. Eric Packard is the 11th Master Angler in Maryland history. The award was given to Packard after he caught ten different species of fish in Maryland. The FishMaryland program has been around since 2019, and Packard is one of 11 people who […]
BALTIMORE, MD—The Board of Public Works has approved Maryland Department of Natural Resources items totaling $6.3 million in grants to local governments and land trusts to improve parks and protect land with perpetual conservation easements. The Antietam Creek Waterway Trail will be receiving a grant of $480,000, which will be used to provide new access to and parking for the […]
BALTIMORE, MD—As summer officially gets under way, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is reminding people to take safety precautions when swimming in public areas. The DNR stresses the importance of swimming near a lifeguard, staying sober while in or near the water, and never swimming alone. DNR officials also recommend wearing a life jacket or personal flotation device […]
BALTIMORE, MD—Boating accidents are on the rise, and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Police will be stepping up patrols to help reduce boating under the influence incidents. This holiday weekend marks the Fourth of July, and NRP expects more boaters in local lakes, ponds, and rivers. With the increase in boaters, NRP is also increasing its efforts to educate […]
BALTIMORE, MD—Following a 12-month pilot program, Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) has taken delivery of 275 Axon body-worn cameras, and has officially implemented an agency-wide program in which every sworn officer will wear cameras while on-duty. The cameras will now be worn by every officer while on duty. The cameras, which are equipped with high-definition recording capabilities, improved low-light performance, […]
BALTIMORE, MD—The Maryland Department of Natural Resources released new data this week that shows a record high of oysters harvested by commercial shellfish operations in the state. The DNR reports that 466 commercial shellfish operations leased 7,478 acres of state waters in 2023. The total harvest for 2023 was 94,286 bushels, which is an increase from 94,257 bushels in 2022. […]
BALTIMORE, MD—The Maryland Department of Natural Resources recently released data demonstrating that the state’s spring wild turkey harvest was close to setting a new record. The 4,959 birds harvested during the regular and junior turkey seasons is only 7% lower than the record-breaking harvest achieved in 2023. According to the DNR, the average to excellent reproductive success of wild turkeys […]