Five Pillars of Outdoor Recreation
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The Office of Outdoor recreation strives to serve the citizens and visitors to Maryland and share with them the wonders of outdoor recreation. We abide by these five pillars and depend on them to guide our actions. These “five Es” are as follows:
Environmental Conservation & Stewardship
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Garrett College students participate in Fly Fishing for University Students program at Savage River State Forest
Partnership with Together Outdoors announce around equity mini-grant program through which Maryland projects will be funded by this office
Next - April-May 2024: Fly Fishing for University students program engaged +20 individuals from 4 schools (Frostburg University, Garrett College, Towson University and Salisbury University) in Fly Fishing on state lands through connecting them with local guides.
- June-September 2024: Mini Grant Equity program collaboration with Together Outdoors (a section of Outdoor Recreation Roundtable) work to fund Maryland projects around recreation to increase stewardship and conservation.
Education & Workforce Development
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Maryland Conservation Crew 2016 members participate in Trout Stocking at the Avalon Area of Patapsco Valley State Park in Howard County, MD.
Maryland Conservation Crew 2016 members participate in Trout Stocking at the Avalon Area of Patapsco Valley State Park in Howard County, MD.
Members of the Maryland Climate Crew Network concluded their Fall 2023 green job training cohort with a leadership retreat at Thorpewood
Members of the Maryland Climate Crew Network kick off their Fall 2023 green job training cohort with team-building challenges at Outward Bound in Gwynns Falls-Leakin Park in Baltimore City
Climate Crew Network members from Defensores de la Cuenca’s Fall 2023 cohort participate in a bike basics and safety training with the Washington Area Bicyclist Association
Climate Crew Network members from Grow Home and Howard EcoWorks’ Spring 2024 cohorts visited Jug Bay to learn about wildlife biology and stewardship
Climate Crew Network members from Defensores de la Cuenca’s Fall 2023 cohort participate in a seed collection and kayak training at Seneca Creek State Park
Members of the Maryland Climate Crew Network concluded their Fall 2023 green job training cohort with a leadership retreat at Thorpewood
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The office is currently working towards a number of projects which will be updated as they are completed.
Economic Development
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WheelzUp’s partnership with Rocky Gap State Park provides visitors with the opportunity to recreate with guides and instructors as well as this great outfitter with increased exposure and opportunity for growth.
WheelzUp’s partnership with Rocky Gap State Park provides visitors with the opportunity to recreate with guides and instructors as well as this great outfitter with increased exposure and opportunity for growth.
- May 2024: The ice cream trail pairs a trail on a state land with a MD dairy and was created in partnership with the Department of Agriculture.
Exercise Health & Wellness
First Lady Dawn Moore attends a wellness event and participates in Forest Bathing, highlighting the importance of mental health and physical health.
First Lady Dawn Moore attends a wellness event and participates in Forest Bathing, highlighting the importance of mental health and physical health.
DNR staff enjoy time outdoors participating in a forest bathing activity.
Summer interns enjoy a hike to Kilgore Falls, a portion of Rocks State Park in Montgomery County, MD.
- February 2024: A Forest Bathing guided hike was put together for members of DNR, who enjoyed the fresh air and time in nature as well.
- March 2024: Hike & Unplug Event featured First Lady Dawn Moore, Chesapeake and Coastal Forest Bathing Guide Monserrat Pizarro and a collection of high school students from high schools as they learn more about the importance of unplugging and reconnecting with nature.
- June 2024: Summer interns and their supervisors enjoyed a short hike to Kilgore Falls, a satellite portion of Rocks State Park, to enjoy some time bonding with nature.
Equity, Access & Inclusion
The Es Mi Parque (It’s My Park) initiative works to increase stewardship activities to the Spanish-speaking patrons in Maryland’s state parks! This program started in 2016 and is still going strong.
The Es Mi Parque (It’s My Park) initiative works to increase stewardship activities to the Spanish-speaking patrons in Maryland’s state parks! This program started in 2016 and is still going strong.
Deep Creek Lions Club’s 51st blind ski program provides visually impaired kids and their families to recreate on slopes in Western MD.
Spanish Workshop provided at Ranger School gives park rangers the tools to communicate with park patrons in Spanish!
Engaging the Spanish Speaking Community” at the Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education to provide teachers, interpreters and more with the skills to cater their programs to a more diverse audience.
Friends of Patapsco Valley State Park holds a variety of programs including accessible paddling, cycling, fishing, playgrounds and hiking (& hunting coming soon!). Visit
www.pvspforeveryone.org for more information!”
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- January 2024: We presented a Spanish Workshop with Spanish-speaking members of Chesapeake and Coastal Service to increase the linguistic and intercultural communication skills of Park Rangers and provide them with the skills to give the best outdoor recreation service to park patrons for the 2024 season and beyond.
- February 2024: February 2024: We presented “Engaging the Spanish Speaking Community” at the Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education to provide teachers, interpreters and more with the skills to cater their programs to a more diverse audience.
- February 2024: We began an inter-unit advisory group to craft policy around eBike management and regulations on state land.
- February 2024: Supported Deep Creek Lion’s Club blind ski program which hosted 20 visually impaired skiers and their families for a Monday to Wednesday adventure including pizza dinner, equipment and fun on the slopes at WISP resort in western Garrett County, MD. This project included 12 breakfast volunteers, 37 high school volunteers, and 20 adult ski volunteers. Contact
dclions@gmail.com for volunteering and donation information!
- April 2024: Collected information on adaptive and ADA initiatives throughout the agency.
- May-September 2024: Supporting the Es Mi Parque (It’s My Park) initiative to increase stewardship activities to the Spanish-speaking patrons in Maryland’s state parks and other outdoor natural spaces!
