What Can I Do?
Leave grass clippings on your lawn after mowing to recycle essential nutrients and water back into the lawn. The grass clippings will decompose back into the soil without any additional effort on your part, and help to make your lawn healthier for the future. For more information on eco-friendly lawn care, click here. |
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Bay Fact
Marylanders originally had to rely on boats to cross the Chesapeake Bay. Planning for a bridge began in 1927, but boats like the Kent Island-Sandy Point Bay ferry continued to be the only way for cars to cross the Bay. When the original span of the Bay Bridge opened to traffic on July 30, 1952, it was the world's longest continuous over-water steel structure. More info... |
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From the desk of...
Martin O'Malley, Governor of Maryland
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Governor O'Malley with others kyaking in Maryland's Coastal Bays. |
Last month I had an opportunity to kayak to a wonderful location in one of Maryland's coastal bays. Skimmer Island in Sinepuxent Bay is a breeding and nesting ground for colonies of two species of birds that are endangered in Maryland, black skimmers and royal terns. The island also contains the most important nesting beach in our state for horseshoe crabs.
Because of erosion, the sandy island had shrunk from 7 acres in 1998 to just over 2 acres by last winter. During late March and early April of this year Skimmer Island received clean sand from maintenance dredging of the entrance to Sunset Marina in West Ocean City as part of a public-private partnership between the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and Sunset Marina. Senator Ben Cardin was a leader in this joint restoration effort, helping to get the approvals to make it happen.
Like the Chesapeake Bay, Maryland's Coastal Bays are extraordinary natural, cultural and economic resources. Replenishing areas like Skimmer Island not only restores important wildlife habitat for endangered species, but also retains our State's unique heritage for future generations. I look forward to spending more time exploring our coastal bays.
I have enjoyed fishing, kayaking, cycling and other outdoor activities already this summer, and hope you and your family will do so as well. Maryland has a fantastic variety of outdoor locations and opportunities. Enjoy them safely, and have a wonderful time!
Sincerely,
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Help Maryland State Parks - Vote for Maryland!
 Vote for Maryland Parks in the Plant a Tree Program
Maryland is once again competing against all 49 other states in a battle for $100,000 toward planting trees in State Parks - and you can help! All it takes is one click of your mouse to vote, and Odwalla will donate $1 to Maryland State Parks. Votes are limited to one per email address, however an additional vote is granted with an access code "MDPV11" found in the Odwalla Welcome Map, available at all Maryland State Parks. Tell everyone - share with family and friends! Click here to vote! |
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BayStat Team Meeting Update
At its June meeting the BayStat team planned for the upcoming Chesapeake Bay Program Executive Council meeting on July 11 in Richmond, Virginia. The meeting theme is "Get Grounded in Your Watershed", with an emphasis on local restoration efforts and activities that citizens can do in their own back yards.
Also at the BayStat meeting, the University of Maryland and the Department of Agriculture discussed the new Phosphorus Site Index that farmers will use to develop agricultural nutrient management plans. The agencies plan to complete technical evaluations to support changes to recommended phosphorus application rates on Maryland farm fields beginning in the spring of 2013.
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Maryland Government at Work for the Bay
 
Boating Safety Refresher Available Online
Recent drownings and boat accidents serve as grim reminders that simple safety precautions can save lives. Boating safety information is easy to access online and can help boat operators refresh their knowledge and operate more safely. Maryland law requires anyone born on or after July 1, 1972, to possess a certificate of boating safety education in order to operate a motorized vessel. But the information is available online to everyone. See more... |
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New Factsheet Explains Bay Jargon
Do you find TMDL, WIP and other Bay restoration acronyms confusing? These and other terms that slip off the tongues of Bay experts are explained in a 4-page fact sheet available from EcoCheck, a partnership between the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science (UMCES). Check it out... |
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Marylanders Taking the "Buy Local Week" Challenge
Over 2,500 people have already taken the challenge for Buy Local Week, July 23-31. The challenge is simple, "I pledge to eat at least one thing from a local farm every day during Buy Local Week!" Fresh food from local farms is tasty as well as healthy. Take the challenge... |
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Help Available for Stranded Sea Turtles and Mammals
Sea turtles and marine mammals sometimes come into the Chesapeake Bay. To report animals that are dead, visibly injured, entangled or appear to be in need of help, call the 24/7 hotline at 1-800-628-9944. Reports of the location of healthy animals are also welcome at the hotline. More info... |
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Native Plant Information Available Online
The Native Plant Center, a new website, makes selection of native plants for your yard or garden truly easy! With a database of over 400 native plants, the site has advanced search capability to help you choose native plants that match your location, sun exposure and soil conditions. One advantage of native plants is that they thrive naturally without needing constant watering or fertilizer. Check it out... |
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Maryland Promotes Bay Seafood
Chesapeake Bay seafood is good eating almost any time, but will get special attention this fall. October 2-9 will be From the Bay, For the Bay Dine Out week in restaurants throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. Over 150 restaurants have already committed to participate, and more are still signing up. Further details... |
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Shopdnr.com
If you want the best trail guides around, do your shopping in the Maryland Department of Natural Resources' online store. Most of the guides are printed on tear-proof and waterproof material. Check out the store now! |
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