Latest news with #MarylandDepartmentofNaturalResources
Yahoo
19 hours ago
- Yahoo
PHOTOS: Black bear travels to Herndon after traversing Maryland
HERNDON, Va. () — A black bear was spotted roaming the neighborhoods of Herndon on Monday — the latest in its adventure around the DMV. Neighbors in the Alabama Drive and Hillwood Court area woke up to a 'bear-y' shocking surprise. A large black bear with a tracking collar was spotted exploring people's yards. Black bear spotted in Bethesda area days after it was captured, relocated from Langley Park According to the Herndon Police Department, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources is tracking the male yearling. People should be cautious of the bear, give it some space, and do not approach, police said. Black bear spotted in Langley Park area on Memorial Day It was confirmed to DC News Now that this black bear was the same bear that was spotted traversing Maryland. On May 26, the bear was first seen hanging out in a tree in someone's yard in Prince George's County before he made his way to another backyard in Bethesda a week later. The bear was last seen in the 800 block of Elden Street. The block has been shut down in both directions as a result. Police said anyone who comes into conflict with the bear should call the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources at (855) 571-9003. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Biologists discover stunning turnaround in one of US' most critical oyster populations: 'We've seen a rebound'
After decades of population decline, Chesapeake Bay oysters are thriving again, the Washington Post reported. A vibrant oyster population is essential to water cleanliness and aquatic biodiversity. As one of nature's best natural filtration systems that remove sediments and pollutants, they filter as much as two gallons of water hourly. Their healthy reefs are also habitats for other species like striped blennies, American eels, skilletfish, and blue crabs, per Ocean Find Your Blue. However, overharvesting, disease, and environmental factors like drought and habitat decline have affected these aquatic species for decades. The rebound is a result of better ecological conditions and conservation work from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and Maryland for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. Based on their research, conditions have allowed for more successful reproduction or "epic, generational spat sets," as Lynn Waller Fegley, Maryland Department of Natural Resources' director of fishing and boating services, told the Washington Post. Those spats, which refer to larvae that attach to hard surfaces as they develop into mature oysters, have not only increased in number but also in distribution through the bay. Maryland isn't the only DMV state to see thriving oysters again since Virginia's conservation effort allowed it to harvest one of the highest bushel amounts since the late 1980s — 700,000 of them. Reliable oyster harvesting affects local livelihoods, which is why the past unstable population caused some to leave the business due to fluctuations that made profits impossible. A 2020 report from the Chesapeake Bay Foundation stated that Maryland received about $9 million annually from oyster operations. In Virginia, one of the nation's top oyster producers, the state's economy gets $1.1 billion from seafood, and oysters are a major part of that, according to Virginia Tech. "In the last five years, we've seen a rebound," Allison Colden, executive director of Maryland for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, told the Washington Post. Other areas are also thriving with aquatic conservation — Cabo Pulmo in Mexico is seeing rebounding coral reefs, and an emergency hand-feeding program to help Florida manatees has been suspended as their food source, seagrass, has revived. Do you think America is in a housing crisis? Definitely Not sure No way Only in some cities Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Clean water that supports aquatic life and industry isn't something to take for granted. If these revivals remain steady, it marks progress toward a cleaner and safer planet for all. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Thousands flocked to Maryland state parks with new registration on holiday weekend
Thousands of visitors made reservations for Sandy Point State Park over the weekend, and Greenbrier State Park 'sold out' on Memorial Day, according to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. The busy weekend for waterfront activities was the first that required visitors to pre-register before entering the two parks. DNR spokesperson Gregg Bortz said that 'rollout of the new day-use reservation system went successfully,' with feedback from visitors being 'largely positive.' Sandy Point in Annapolis had just under 1,200 visitors Sunday and over 1,400 on Monday, according to the DNR. Over 300 people came to Greenbrier, in Washington County, on both days, running out of all 365 reservations available for Monday. The day-use system is in effect for the two parks on weekends and holidays through Labor Day, with the number of reservations available each day are set by management depending on parking and other park activities that day. Reservations can be made through the Maryland Park Service's online reservation system. Later in the summer, the day-use system is coming to North Point State Park in Edgemere as well as Point Lookout and Newtowne Neck in St. Mary's County. Have a news tip? Contact Dan Belson at dbelson@ on X as @DanBelson_ or on Signal as @danbels.62.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Thousands flocked to Maryland state parks with new registration on holiday weekend
Thousands of visitors made reservations for Sandy Point State Park over the weekend, and Greenbrier State Park 'sold out' on Memorial Day, according to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. The busy weekend for waterfront activities was the first that required visitors to pre-register before entering the two parks. DNR spokesperson Gregg Bortz said that 'rollout of the new day-use reservation system went successfully,' with feedback from visitors being 'largely positive.' Sandy Point in Annapolis had just under 1,200 visitors Sunday and over 1,400 on Monday, according to the DNR. Over 300 people came to Greenbrier, in Washington County, on both days, running out of all 365 reservations available for Monday. The day-use system is in effect for the two parks on weekends and holidays through Labor Day, with the number of reservations available each day are set by management depending on parking and other park activities that day. Reservations can be made through the Maryland Park Service's online reservation system. Later in the summer, the day-use system is coming to North Point State Park in Edgemere as well as Point Lookout and Newtowne Neck in St. Mary's County. Have a news tip? Contact Dan Belson at dbelson@ on X as @DanBelson_ or on Signal as @danbels.62.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Yahoo
Black bear spotted in Langley Park area on Memorial Day
PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, Md. () — A new furry friend was spotted in a Prince George's County neighborhood — but it wasn't the typical bunny or cat. A black bear was seen just after noon on May 26 in the 8300 block of Tahona Drive in the Langley Park area, the Prince George's County Police Department said on . Memorial Day: How it came to be, and how it evolved Residents were advised not to approach the bear and to take any pets or food indoors. If you see the black bear, you are encouraged to contact the Maryland Department of Natural Resources at (410) 260-8888. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
