Using Virtual Reality, Students Help Visualize Climate Change Solutions at Point Lookout State Park

You’re on a walkway in a park. You can see trees, a road, a marsh and a coastline against a vibrant blue sky all around you. Then, you hear the toll of a bell. The marsh expands, the water edges up the grass. Another bell and the water creeps up to the base of the roadway. Eventually you are surrounded by water.

Each sound of the bell represents 10 years passing, allowing viewers to see the effects of climate change and rising sea levels in a virtual space all around them. What you’re seeing is part of a series of projects by landscape architecture students at the University of Maryland, College Park to use virtual reality to visualize climate change at Point Lookout State Park, as well as possible adaptations to shifting conditions. Read more.

Hunting Ancient Species: Prehistoric Shark Teeth Can Be Found at Public Lands Near You

Walking the sandy shorelines of the Chesapeake Bay can be a tranquil and rewarding experience for lovers of Maryland’s outdoors. Some beachcombers pursue sea glass and shells, while some have been lucky enough to find prehistoric fossils including shark teeth and ancient artifacts such as arrowheads. Read more.

Beneficial Use of Dredged Material: Maryland Clarifies Potential from a Muddy Term

A secret to restoring the Chesapeake Bay is just waiting to be unearthed. “Beneficial use” is the practice of putting dredged material to work — restoring marshes, stabilizing shorelines, and creating storm-resilient landscapes.

This summer the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and The Nature Conservancy hosted a workshop for local planners and practitioners to learn more about the beneficial use of dredged materials. Read more.

Secretary’s Message: Maryland Fights for Stronger Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement

Last week, Maryland Department of Natural Resources staff joined representatives from other jurisdictions in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed to make changes to the revised 2014 Bay Watershed Agreement that guides Bay-related environmental and water quality outcomes and goals for six states and Washington, D.C.

The initial draft of the newly revised agreement received a significant amount of public feedback when it was released over the summer, with many submitted comments calling for Bay partnership members to commit to a firm timeline for meeting pollution reduction goals and to strengthen environmental outcomes. Meeting these goals and outcomes has long been viewed by scientists and advocates as one of the most effective ways to improve overall water quality and increase populations of fish, crabs, and other wildlife that depend on the Bay.

We heard the feedback and Maryland representatives are working to strengthen the revised Agreement in response. Read more.

2025 Maryland Natural Resource Photo Contest Winners Announced - Fan Favorite Voting is Ongoing

Winners have been chosen for the annual Maryland Natural Resource Photo Contest, with the grand prize going to Christopher Michael for his fun photo of a river otter, titled “Waterways Wanderer.” The judges also selected first through third place winners in four seasonal categories—winter, spring, summer, and fall.

This year’s contest received more than 1,800 photo submissions.

Still to be determined is the Fan Favorite, which will be chosen by popular opinion on the department’s Facebook page. Followers are encouraged to “like” their pick when the photos are posted on October 1, with votes taken through close of business on October 15. The four finalists are pictured in the collage at right.

All the winners will have their images published in the department’s 2026 annual calendar, which will be available for sale later in the fall. Next year's contest will begin early in 2026 - keep your eye out! 

Fifth Annual Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill Rides into Cecil County October 16-19

This world-class equestrian event features elite U.S. and international riders competing in the sport of Eventing. Beyond the excitement in the arena, the event offers fun for the whole family, with live music, delicious food, shopping, Kids’ Corner and the fan-favorite Corgi races. Tickets are available on the Maryland 5 Star website. 

Registration for the 2025 Outdoor Recreation Summit is OPEN!

The Office of Outdoor Recreation is gearing up for the 2025 Maryland Outdoor Recreation Summit, happening October 28-30 in Baltimore City. The summit will feature outdoor excursions, dynamic speakers and sessions, and plenty of networking and social events. Registration is still open.

Maryland Fall Foliage Report Offers View of the Season

Get the latest updates on the natural sights and fall outdoor activities in Maryland when you check out our weekly Fall Foliage Report, tracking the changing season into November. Sign up for the weekly newsletter on the DNR website. 

Download the New MD Outdoors App

MD Outdoors is the official app for the state’s outdoor enthusiasts, hunters, and anglers. The MD Outdoors app replaces the AccessDNR app, which will no longer be supported. Users will need to remove the old app and download an updated version from the DNR website.

Current DNR app user should be aware that many of the app’s features will work, but will be phased out. For hunters, reporting a harvest will only work in the new app. 

Download the free MD Outdoors app today!

Android device users can download the app at this link

Apple device users can download the app at this link.