MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

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General​ Information​

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MORE FROM DNR

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Photo by Tonia Quade, submitted to the 2015 Maryland DNR Photo Contest

New MD Outdoors Licensing System Now Online ​​

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ new online licensing system, MD Outdo​ors, is now available for residents and visitors to purchase Maryland hunting and fishing licenses as well as associated stamps and permits, boat and off-road vehicle renewal registration, and other services.
The best of friends, Vinny Spilker, Kayson Blachowicz and Cullen Goles take their fishing seriously when fishing for Chesapeake Channa. Photo courtesy of the “Fearsome Threesome”
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Maryland Fish​ing Report
​ – ​​September 10​​

September is a remarkable month, with one foot dragging along a little summer weather and yet taking another noticeable step into fall. It is the best of both worlds and fishing could hardly be better.

​Oysters
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Secretary’s Message – Maryland is Experiencing a Bivalve Boom​

Oysters in the Chesapeake Bay are in the midst of a comeback. During the pa​st 20 years, the oyster population in the Maryland portion of the Chesapeake Bay has tripled​, according to this year’s stock assessment conducted by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science.
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This silver maple at Green Ridge State Forest is the biggest Big Tree on Maryland public lands. Maryland DNR photo.

‘Big Tree Centennial Contest’ Offers Prizes for Exploring Maryland’s State Forests​​

In partnership with the Maryland Forest Service, the program is offering its Big-Tree Centennial Contest​, encouraging the public to explore Maryland state forest and to report back on any trees larger than 15 feet in circumference.
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St. Clement's Island lighthouse and 25 in 2025 button ​​​​​​​​​​

Maryland State Parks Adventure Challenge 25 in 2025​​​​

The Maryland State Parks “25 in 2025” Adventure Challenge is here! This program challenges you to get out to visit Maryland State Parks and complete at least 25 themed ​challenges- before November 15, 2025.
​​ New Germany State Park in Garrett County. Photo by Melissa Nash, Maryland Forest Service.​​​​​​​​​
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Maryland Fall Foliage Preview 2025​​

Welcome to the Maryland Fall Foliage Report for 2025. Fall officially begins on Monday, Sept. 22, but we’re expecting to see color changes in the coming weeks. Our weekly reports featuring observations from Department of Natural Resources’ foresters, naturalists, and rangers throughout the state will be posted every Thursday into November.​

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The Benefits of Urban and Community Forestry

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Trees offer multiple benefits for our communities, improving both the environment and the quality of life for those who live in it. Trees promote social interaction, strengthen community pride, and improve quality of life. Exposure to green spaces reduces stress, improves mood, and promotes physical activity. Learn more about how The Trees of Maryland Connect Us.

​ LEARN MORE​​​​ ​​​​
​​​Mature tree in a park with the sun setting in the background 
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