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In Maryland, “environmental justice” is defined as “equal protection from environmental and public health hazards for all people regardless of race, income, culture and social status” (Climate Solutions Now Act of 2022). In 2025, Governor Wes Moore signed Executive Order 01.01.2025.17 Valuing Opportunity, Inclusion, and Community Equity (VOICE)​ identifying opportunities for the State government to take a whole-of-government approach to addressing environmental inequities in the state.

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR)​​ is committed to advancing environmental justice in Maryland and implementing its programs and policies so all communities experience the environmental and health benefits from management of the state’s public lands, waterways, and natural resources. The Department adopted a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice, and Accessibility Statement to guide its work internally and externally:

DNR Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice, and Accessibility Statement​


Maryland DNR commits to fostering a culture and workforce that is inclusive, equitable, and representative of the State’s diversity. We are committed to increasing accessibility to our public lands, waterways, and natural resources for all communities to enjoy. By engaging and understanding communities that have historically been left behind, we strive to address and remove systematic barriers that perpetuate environmental injustices. Through this work, we celebrate these values within nature, our partnerships, and the communities we serve.​

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Coming Soon: DNR’s First Environmental Justice Strategic Plan

DNR is creating its first Environmental Justice Strategic Plan to advance environmental justice through the agency’s work by establishing goals, actions, and metrics to track the agency’s progress. The Governor’s Executive Order 01.01.2025.17 Valuing Opportunity, Inclusion, and Community Equity (VOICE) requires all agencies to create an Environmental Justice Strategic Plan with input from the public and interested partners.

DNR invites you to participate in this process and provide input on how DNR should advance environmental justice through its programs, policies and decisions. We will have multiple opportunities to provide input prior to releasing a draft strategic plan for review in Summer 2026.

Current and future opportunities to provide input:

• Email: If you are interested in providing input, please email comments to Sumi Selvaraj​​, Environmental Justice Officer ​ using this form​.​​
  
• Strategic plan webinar and workshop: DNR will host a webinar introducing DNR and why we are creating a EJ Strategic Plan. Please check back in February for details.​
  

Resources and Opportunities

 

Learn more about DNR’s programs and focused on increasing access to natural resources and other environmental justice resources in Maryland:

• Learn
  • About DNR’s Mission and Vision
  • Educational Resources from DNR
  • ​Careers, Internships, and Volunteer Opportunities
    
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• Funding
  • DNR’s Grants and Loans Center highlights direct grants, project grant programs, reimbursement programs, and low to no-interest loans provided by the department.
• Visit State Lands
  • Maryland State Parks Programs​
  • Accessibility for All in DNR’s programs and facilities
  • Maryland Outdoors app​
• State of Maryland Environmental Justice Resources
  • Governor Moore’s Executive Order 01.01.2025.17 Valuing Opportunity, Inclusion, and Community Equity (VOICE)
  • Maryland Department of Environment MDEnviroScreen Mapping Tool
  • Maryland Department of Environment Environmental Justice Team​​​
    

For general inquires:

• Email: ​[email protected]
  
• Telephone: Call toll-free in Maryland at 1-877-620-8DNR (8367) (Weekdays 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.)
  
• Out of State: 410-260-8DNR (8367) (Weekdays 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.)
  
• TTY users call via the MD Relay 711
  
• By US Mail:
  Maryland Department of Natural Resources
  580 Taylor Avenue
  Tawes State Office Building
  Annapolis, MD 21401