Farm and Forest Land Preserved in 16 Maryland Counties
The Maryland Board of Public Works (BPW) has approved Governor Martin O’Malley’s request for $12.6 million in grants to local governments and land trusts for preservation of forest and farmland across Maryland through the State’s nationally renowned Rural Legacy Program. With the addition of the Mountain Ridge Rural Legacy area in Allegany County, there are now Rural Legacy areas designated in every county in the State.

The wetlands that once ringed the Inner Harbor years ago are now gone, taking with them the ecosystem's natural ability to filter water.

The National Aquarium and the Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore have teamed up to build and install a small floating wetland. They've modeled it after natural peat based floating islands found in the environment.

"It'll be that last line of defense as runoff comes off the landscape, it will be absorbed by this island, take nutrients out of the water, clear the water, introduce extra oxygen into the water,and create a refuge around it where fish will be attracted," said Dave Nemerson from the National Aquarium.

After years of shell-lacking, oyster beds get a boost from raw bars, caterers

Walking down the narrow street between the back of the Naval Academy Field House and restaurants on the City Dock of Annapolis it's hard not to miss the big green dumpster with an "Oyster Recovery" sticker. It's not trash inside but a necessary ingredient in the restoration of Chesapeake Bay oyster beds. With the help of local restaurants once plentiful stocks of oyster shells are being replaced one bucket at a time.Not so long ago, Maryland had so many oyster shells that Eastern Shore residents used them to pave driveways.

Winter Dredge Survey Results Indicate 60% Increase

The results of the most recent winter dredge survey show a dramatic 60% increase in Maryland’s crab population.  The survey indicates that 2008 management measures put into place through a historic collaboration with Virginia and the Potomac River Fisheries Commission are continuing to pay dividends with the crab population at its highest level since 1997.

Most Maryland communities now recycle electronics, which not only provide a source of valuable scrap metal, but can keep harmful chemicals out of area air and water. While some regions let you put your computers, cellphones and other small electronics with the regular recycling, most do not and in turn, have special days or drop-off points - always check with your local Department of Public Works.