Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay Underwater Grasses Expanded Nearly 13% in 2025

Underwater grass abundance increased in the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries last year. In Maryland’s portion of the Bay, underwater grass coverage expanded from 36,799 acres in 2024 to 41,419 acres in 2025, an increase of nearly 13% in a single year. Bay-wide, SAV acreage reached an estimated 89,385 acres – up 7% from 83,252 acres in 2024. 

The 2025 acreage represents about 36% of Maryland’s 114,065-acre restoration target, demonstrating meaningful progress while underscoring the opportunity for continued recovery. Read more.

DNR Begins Major Modernization and Maintenance Projects at Somers Cove Marina in Crisfield

The Maryland Departments of Natural Resources, in partnership with the Maryland Department of General Services and Maryland Department of Transportation, has begun work on  long-planned, major upgrades to Somers Cove Marina in Crisfield.

Known as the “Gateway to the Chesapeake” for boaters throughout the eastern seaboard, Somers Cove is the state’s largest public marina. The $30 million project will provide enhanced service for Chesapeake Bay boaters as well as economic and flood prevention benefits for the community of Crisfield. Read more.

DNR Report Marks Five Years of Upward Trajectory for Maryland’s Oyster Populations

A new Maryland Department of Natural Resources report details the significant growth of the oyster population and substantial progress toward the state’s oyster management goals for the past five years. The report is part of the department’s commitment to assess the three areas of oyster management—sanctuaries, public fishery areas, and aquaculture—every five years. The 2021-2025 Oyster Management Review, which found that the state has met or made positive progress toward its objectives in all three areas. Read more.

Natural Resources Careers Camp Gives Students a Hands-On Look at Conservation Careers

Campers learned about the educational paths and skills needed for careers in conservation at the annual weeklong residential camp. Campers aged 16 or older could also earn two college credits from Allegany College of Maryland by completing an optional exam.

Students interested in attending the 2027 Natural Resources Careers Camp can now register online through the Maryland Forestry Foundation website. Read more.

New DNR Tool Helps Direct Better Marsh Restoration and Protection

The new Marsh Resilience Portfolio is a feature on the department’s Maryland Coastal Atlas mapping tool that provides data on marsh areas. The information provided by this tool will better direct restoration efforts to marshes that can safeguard communities from flooding and other coastal risks over time. Read more.

Tree-Mendous Maryland Program Expands Support for Community Forestry

Maryland communities now have more opportunities to care for the trees and forests in their neighborhoods and public spaces through the Tree-Mendous Maryland Program. Since its creation, Tree-Mendous has supported tree planting in more than 3,000 communities, parks, and schools statewide.

Legislation signed during the Maryland General Assembly session earlier this year updates the program’s purpose to recognize community participation in both tree planting and stewardship, including community forestry activities that maintain and care for native trees and shrubs. Read more.

Maryland Natural Resources Police Report: Summer 2026

The Maryland Natural Resources Police took action on alleged violations of criminal and natural resource laws from June through August of this year. During the summer months, individuals were charged for violations including illegal commercial crabbing and clamming operations, weapons charges, fishing violations, crimes on public lands, wildlife violations, and other offenses. Read more.

Secretary’s Message: Conserving and Protecting Natural Resources is a Team Sport

In late September, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources held our third annual Maryland Outdoor Recreation Summit. This event brings together outdoor experts and enthusiasts–from government, businesses, universities, and the general public–to help shape the future of this growing and vital industry.

One of the most important takeaways from this annual event, which was held this year in the Ocean City area, is the incalculable value of the partnerships the Department of Natural Resources relies upon to conduct our mission. Read more.

Maryland DNR Announces 2026 Photo Contest Winners

The annual Maryland Natural Resource Photo Contest winners have been chosen. The grand prize, and first place in the spring category, goies to Kyle Smith for his photo of a remarkable moment in nature – an Eastern Whip-poor-will on a branch while a squirrel sneaks up behind it. In addition to the overall grand prize winner, the judges selected first through third place winners in four seasonal categories—winter, spring, summer, and fall. 

Congratulations also go to Fan Favorite winner Stephen Talabac for his stunning photo capturing the historic October 10-11, 2024  widespread display of the northern lights. Talabac’s photo was chosen by DNR’s Facebook followers from four Photo Contest runners-up

All of these images will be featured in the Maryland Department of Natural Resources 2027 “Observing Nature” calendar, which will be available to order soon on the DNR Online Store.

Keep Maryland Beautiful Grant Program Accepting Funding Applications for Community Projects in 2027

The Maryland Environmental Trust, in partnership with the Maryland Department of Transportation, Maryland Department of Agriculture, and the Chesapeake Bay Trust, is now accepting applications for this year’s Keep Maryland Beautiful Grants program. The deadline to apply is December 1, 2026. About $349,000 is available for this year’s grant round. Awards will be announced in March 2027. Read more.

Public Comment Open for South Mountain House Restoration

The Department of Natural Resources, in partnership with Preservation Maryland and many interested stakeholder groups, is seeking public input on the future of the South Mountain House near Boonsboro, known most recently as the Old South Mountain Inn.

The South Mountain House is located directly adjacent to the iconic Appalachian Trail near the Dahlgren campground in the heart of the South Mountain Recreation Area. Input from hikers and history buffs alike is welcome as we plan for the future. Learn more and participate in the public survey at the Preservation Maryland website.

Fall Hunting is Underway in Maryland!

October highlights include small game and fall turkey seasons, continued archery hunting for deer, and muzzleloader season later in the month. Hunting licenses are on sale now and valid through July 31, 2027. Maryland’s hunting regulations, seasons and bag limits can be found in our online Hunting and Trapping Guide for 2026-27. 

Also, be sure to order our Limited Edition MD250 Hard Card.

This durable, waterproof card for your fishing, hunting, and boating licenses honors the state’s wildlife and outdoor history.

The artwork on the card is a relic of Maryland’s past. It served as the frontispiece for Maryland Conservationist magazine, published by a predecessor agency of DNR, between 1924 and 1947. Read more about the MD250 hard card license.