Arbor Day Poster Winners Announced
Levi Rentch of Piney Elementary School in Carroll County won first place in the 2026 Maryland Fifth Grade Arbor Day Poster Contest, sponsored by the Maryland Forest Service.
Schoolyard Forests Program Grows in MD
For Earth Week in April, three state agencies collaborated to increase participation in the Schoolyard Forests Program. Since 2024, the program has completed more than 45 school planting projects.
State Has 2 More FishMD Master Anglers
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has recognized Josh Porter of Baltimore and Hien Tram of Burtonsville as FishMaryland Master Anglers for catching 10 different species of fish at trophy size in Maryland.
DNR Photo Contest Accepting Entries
Photographers and nature enthusiasts who enjoy Maryland’s outdoors are invited to submit their most beautiful images of the state’s flora and fauna to the Department of Natural Resources 2026 Photo Contest.
A Historic Year for Maryland Oysters
Gov. Wes Moore has announced a historic year for oyster reproduction in Maryland waters.
Free Trees Available for MD’s Backyard Buffer Program
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is offering free tree seedlings to landowners statewide who have a creek, drainage ditch, stream, or other waterway on or near their property through the Backyard Buffer program.
New Reservation System for MD State Parks
The Maryland Park Service has launched a new, modern reservations management system that will provide visitors a faster way to reserve campsites, cabins, mini-cabins, pavilions, and other amenities at 37 Maryland state parks.
MD Oyster Season Extended for 2 Weeks
Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources is moving forward with a two-week extension of the commercial oyster season to help watermen make up for lost harvesting opportunities after many waterways and parts of the Chesapeake Bay froze during frigid temperatures in January and early February. The change will extend the state’s commercial oyster season to April 14.
Entries Sought for Arbor Day Poster Contest
The 2026 Maryland Fifth Grade Arbor Day Poster Contest is now open for submissions. Maryland fifth-graders are invited to create original artwork showing how trees enrich our lives. Deadline to submit is noon April 1.
VFDs in Maryland Get Funds for Rural Wildfire Protection
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources Forest Service is providing Volunteer Fire Assistance grants to 55 volunteer fire departments in 17 counties across the state.
