Grants and Loans Center

Specialized Educational Programs

The Department of Natural Resources educational programs are widely diverse, covering a variety of natural resource subjects and some target very specific material and audiences.

Included are boating and firearm safety programs, K-12 school focused programs and instructional resources, as well as technical land planning assistance and scientific resources to help landowners, boat owners, hunters, hikers, fishermen and all citizens be better stewards of Maryland’s natural resources.

The department's “educational” programs are not just informational. Stakeholders utilizing these resources have significant positive impacts on Maryland’s Natural Resources.

Boating Education

The Natural Resources Police Boating Safety Education Program administers the mandatory boating safety education program and promotes and educates people on Boating Safety.

Deer Management Project

Helps Maryland’s residents resolve urban and suburban deer problems and manage the Deer population at levels compatible with various Maryland landscapes.

Advice to individuals experiencing deer damage problems explains several damage abatement techniques that can be useful in reducing or controlling deer damage.

Lethal deer management techniques kill deer. Non-lethal deer management techniques do not harm deer, but can be useful in decreasing the amount of damage that deer can cause. They are intended to supplement, not to replace, deer population management.

Outdoor Learning and Watershed Stewardship

Through the Department of Natural Resources new Grants Gateway, this opportunity is offered primarily to support costs associated with providing outdoor learning field investigations away from school campuses for students in pre-Kindergarten through grade 12, as part of comprehensive Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences (MWEEs) that contribute to school environmental literacy programs. School systems (districts), higher education institutions, and local and state agencies working in partnership with schools are encouraged to apply.

Hunter Safety Course

The Natural Resources Police Hunter Safety Section administers the mandatory hunter education requirement; they also promote and educate people on Hunting Safety.

Hydrogeology and Hydrology Program

Provides technical assistance and information to county and local governments and to state agencies relating to hydrogeology and hydrology in Maryland.

Reforestation Law

Forest land cleared for state funded road construction must be replaced within the same county or watershed as the impacted area. If impossible, the constructing agent must deposit into the Reforestation Fund, ten cents per square foot or $4,356 per acre.

This fund is used by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to plant replacement trees on public lands such as schools and parks.

Roadside Tree Law

Protect roadside trees by ensuring their proper care and protection and in the interest of promoting and maintaining safe, unobstructed, and aesthetically pleasing public road rights-of-way.

Millions of trees grow along the more than 30,000 miles of improved roads in Maryland. The trees growing along our roadways and in our communities are an important urban and community resource. They provide aesthetic, environmental, economic, and social benefits.

Tree-Mendous Maryland

Encourages Marylanders to plant, care for and maintain trees to help restore and protect the natural environment, in particular, our greatest natural resource, the Chesapeake Bay.

Purchase native trees for public land planting at reasonable prices.

Give the "Gift of Trees" to honor or memorialize a friend or family member or celebrate a special occasion.

Water Wise

Thousands of Marylanders have learned the basic information needed to prevent the tragedies that occur on the water.

Programs are designed for every age group and can be customized for your needs.

Programs are simple, fun, take about an hour, and best of all they are free.

Focus is on the importance of personal flotation devices, the dangers of alcohol consumption while on the water, hypothermia, and water and boating safety awareness.

Wild Acres Program

Wild Acres is now exclusively an online resource that gives Maryland property owners information on improving their property's backyard habitat for wildlife.

We no longer certify properties, nor do we mail out certificates or information packets due to budget constraints.

The department is a leader in providing services to the public directly through Web applications and online information.