Students from the Baltimore School for the Arts learn life lessons while rock climbing with Outward Bound, Jug Bay, a special section of the Patuxent River and a fresh water tidal marsh containing countless numbers of birds, animals, insects and plants, and Elk Neck State Park, a beautiful getaway for family traditions.
Working to repopulate the bay's oyster population, hunting as a means of controlling the deer population in Maryland, and charter boat captains talk about spending every day with a rod and a reel.
Elementary students become horseshoe crab scientists, raising living fossils in their classroom, growing pains in the Western Maryland paradise of Deep Creek Lake, and hunting for two Maryland rarities - the Frosted Elfin butterfly and Wild Lupine.
A Sportsman's Paradise, The Sacred Places, To Horse and Away
Silent Invasion, Wild Encounters, Vixen and Kits.
A grassroots movement is making its way across MD that encourages the use of native plants and gardening techniques.
Maryland is graced with the beauty of rare wild orchids that grow in out-of-the-way places around the state.
Covered bridges still survive throughout Maryland as touchstones to our past. Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, the ultimate water dog! It is a growing movement all over the nation, converting former rail lines to hiking and biking trails.
The delicate flutter of the butterfly marks the beginning of Spring - and triggers a new season of passionate "hunting" among butterfly lovers, peregrine falcons are trained to hunt game for their handlers, much like they have since medieval times, sheepdog trainers coax the ancient herding instinct from their dogs.
The annual ritual of collecting sap from maple trees, the Sika, a tiny species of deer, is the focus of wildlife enthusiasts for its unusual habits in the wild, Maryland DNR ecologist Dave Brinker searches the forest to find the Great Horned Owl.
The hobby of wild mushroom hunting, DNR ecologist Dave Brinker’s annual census of this elusive tiny Owl, The Assateague Island pony herd has been roaming the island for centuries.
As a young man, John Taylor’s passion for birds drove him to the artist’s canvas; it’s the landscape that draws Maryland artist Kevin Fitzgerald to the land…the gentle lure of color and light; Maryland’s beauty inspires some local painters to capture on canvas the frosty wilds of Western Maryland.
One of the state’s best kept secrets is Gunpowder State Park, a rural oasis just outside of Baltimore; biologist David Brinker finds the second known nesting pair of endangered goshawks in the entire state of MD; a diverse collection of volunteers wade through Maryland’s streams each year, collecting valuable data.
Janes Island, often called the Caribbean of the Chesapeake, offers visitors everything from camping to kayaking; learn how to navigate Maryland's unique network of water trails by kayak or canoe; visitors to Calvert Cliffs come to savor the peace of quiet forest trails through one of the most unique ecosystems in southern Maryland.
An Urban Oasis: Every imaginable activity is available to visitors at Patapsco Valley State Park, the oldest State Park in Maryland. Like Nowhere Else: New Germany State Park offers visitors camping in all seasons, fishing, boating, hunting and both downhill and cross country skiing. Peninsula of Plenty: Elk Neck State Park is a beautiful getaway for family traditions.
A Chesapeake Passage: Follow some modern day adventurists as they retrace the trail of Capt John Smith who charted these waters more than 400 years ago. The Sacred Places: Kayakers pitch their tents on windswept beaches and seek inspiration on the Chesapeake Bay. Blue Ribbon River: Regardless of the time of year, The Gunpowder River has something to offer all outdoor enthusiasts.
American Sentinel: The story of Fort McHenry includes the Battle of Baltimore and inspiration for the Star-Spangled Banner. Solemn Fields: Antietam National Battlefield in Sharpsburg commemorates the bloodiest single-day battle in American history. A Manor of Time: Hampton National Historic Site in Baltimore County is an estate whose history mirrors that of the United States.
To Trap a Raptor: A rare irruption of the Snowy Owl brings this arctic bird of prey to Assateague Island, with DNR Biologist Dave Brinker hot on its trail. Walking Over Winter: Although deep snow has hidden your favorite trails, don't cancel the hike… strap on some snow shoes! Cub Scouts: Biologists survey black bear cubs newly born in Maryland.
The Invasive Chase: The intrusive Snakehead fish... it is tracked by officials, hunted by anglers, and grilled by gourmet chefs. Chesapeake Treasure Hunt: The Bay has transformed discarded bottles from decades past into smooth, glittering gems. Battle for the Beach: As the Atlantic Ocean erodes the coast, beach replenishment methods push back against the tide.
Charm in the Middle: Smith Island is the perfect getaway for peace, quiet, and genuine Chesapeake charm! Out of Time: Once expected to replace Fort McHenry, Fort Carroll now sits nearly forgotten in the mouth of the Patapsco River; overgrown and a refuge for colonial nesting birds. Parker’s Last Stand: Uncovering a pristine War of 1812 Battlefield beneath a quiet Kent County farm.
Beneath the Beaten Path: Cave diggers dare to explore subterranean worlds that have never been seen by human eyes. Appalachian Gem: Threaded by the Appalachian Trail, Greenbrier and South Mountain State Parks are treasured getaways. Return to the Classics: Ralph Cattaneo takes classic wooden boats, once condemned to decay, and lovingly restores their elegant splendor.
Where the Waters Meet: At the junction of the Potomac River & Chesapeake Bay, Point Lookout State Park is brimming with beauty and history. Sifting for History: An archaeological dig in Crownsville makes an emotional discovery as they uncover slave quarters once thought lost. Relief for Pitchers: The Carnivorous pitcher plants of Nassawango Creek Preserve hang in a delicate ecological balance.
Degrees of Action: The Adventuresports Institute at Garrett College trains guides for whitewater, rock climbing, and everything in-between. A Tern in the Tide: Once in danger of vanishing into the bay, the restored Poplar Island is now a haven for nesting sea birds. The Invasive Chase: The intrusive Snakehead fish... it is tracked by officials, hunted by anglers, and grilled by gourmet chefs.
A Chesapeake Passage: Follow some modern day adventurists as they retrace the trail of Captain John Smith who charted these waters more than 400 years ago. Charm in the Middle: Smith Island is the perfect getaway for peace, quiet, and genuine Chesapeake charm! Return to the Classics: Ralph Cattaneo takes classic wooden boats, once condemned to decay, and lovingly restores their elegant splendor.
Blue King of the Chesapeake: A look at how the iconic blue crab population is fairing in Chesapeake Bay. Hook, Line, & Sinker: Take a tour of casual fishing spots across the state and awaken your inner-angler! Road to the Past: Archaeologists explore a rural field in Western MD to connect the dots of a storied historic road.
A Tern of Fortune: In the shadow of Ocean City, efforts are underway to protect shore bird nesting habitats. A Twist of Fate: Drama unfolds at The Hunt Cup, Maryland's classic countryside horse race. Crewing a Classic: Inside an unassuming garage, Karl Nisson crafts a classic Chesapeake boat: The Smith Island Skiff.
Any Given Sunday: Hunters and their canine companions compete in the annual Retriever Gun-Dog Championship. Walking Over Winter: Although deep snow has hidden your favorite trails, don't cancel the hike strap on some snow shoes! Paddling the Big Water: Environmentalists Don Baugh & Tom Horton take a long kayak trip to spread the word about climate change on the Chesapeake.
Stories include: Water Woman, Treading the Tred, They Called Her Moses.
Stories include: Of Trout & Trees, Marshland Mosaic, and Futures in Forestry.
The Eagle's Return: Conowingo Dam on the Susquehanna River is one of the best places in the world to watch Bald Eagles. Pilot Park: It's weekend flying at its best -- from the ground. Ice Skippers: Racing the wind on Maryland ice boats.
Tangier Time and Tide: Tangier Island in the Chesapeake Bay is sinking and residents are nervous about the future. The Highest Praise: Bottlenose Dolphins return to the Chesapeake Bay.
Trapping muskrat, a local delicacy, in Dorchester County; fire in the forest makes way for new beginnings.
An insect infestation seventeen years in the making; tracking a threat to the Chesapeake; exploring Maryland’s prehistoric past.
New state park caters to off-road vehicles; uncovering the history of Catoctin Furnace; citizen scientists track changing bird populations.
Horseshoe Crabs in the classroom; photographer David Harp captures Chesapeake beauty at the edge of the water; the gentle lure of color and light draws one Maryland artist to the land.
Cecil County hosts world-class equestrian competition; an endangered salamander makes a comeback; a hands-on lesson in Maryland’s past.
A day on a charter boat trot lining for blue crabs, kayaking the ghost fleet of Mallows Bay-- a National Marine Sanctuary; a new system of towers unravels the mystery of migration.
Terrapins nest along the Patuxent River; nesting common terns find sanctuary on an artificial island.
Young waterman harnesses the power of TikTok; the hunt for hellbenders in the Casselman River; artificial reef balls create new underwater habitats.
Maryland State Parks from the sky; weekend retreat for women teaches outdoor skills; ice fishing on Deep Creek Lake.
Tracking monarch migration; rediscovering the Mason-Dixon line; encouraging minority engagement with the Chesapeake Bay.
Discovering Maryland’s stretch of Appalachian Trail; learning to live with beavers.
Department of Natural Resources biologists search for massive prehistoric fish, mountain biking Patapsco State Park, legends of the landscape.
Bird watching and tagging, scientists search for the bog turtle and release wood turtles, rock climbing and bouldering in MD state parks.
The mystery of the missing wild turkeys; training Natural Resources police dogs; stream surveyors test the waters.
Angling for glory at a bass fishing tournament; on the hunt for an endangered bee; the fast-growing sport of disc golf
Explore the history and ecosystems of this dynamic coastal environment, shaped by natural forces of change.
Middle schoolers face fears through outdoor education; growing Maryland’s future forests; teens compete for the state archery championship.
Volunteers work to safeguard migratory birds from the dangers of urban development in Baltimore. As temperatures drop, foraging enthusiasts hunt for edible mushrooms and connect to their heritage in the Fall woods. At the Natural History Society of Maryland, a passionate crew of nature-lovers curate a treasure trove of wild wonders.
Glider pilots soar over Western Maryland in engine-less planes, while students at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore major in aviation. Biologists work to protect Maryland's marshes - and the threatened saltmarsh sparrow - from rising tides. Archaeologists, historians and descendants explore the stomping grounds of one of Maryland's most notorious frontiersmen, Thomas Cresap.
Sculptor David Bacharach uses invasive plant material and trash to construct an immersive work of "land art" at Irvine Nature Center in Baltimore County. Biologists track the journey of the elusive American eel from the Sargasso Sea into Maryland's waterways, where dam removals and eel ladders are enabling these slimy fish to access their historic habitat upstream.
Open-water swimmers share the draw of distant horizons, and the importance of ensuring safely swimmable waterways. A public art project highlights Baltimore's "ghost rivers": the historic streams and creeks that were encased in brick and concrete to become storm-water sewers as the city expanded. DNR biologists work to restore ecologically important underwater grass beds across the state.
A family of Maryland cowboys and cowgirls show off their barrel-racing and bull-riding skills at local rodeos. Expert boaters celebrate Delmarva's watermen heritage with high-speed extreme boat docking. Forestry students at Allegany College climb, chop and toss while preparing for the Mid-Atlantic Woodsmen Competition.
Maryland, like the rest of the world, faces a biodiversity crisis. More than 1250 native plant and animal species have been designated state-rare, threatened or endangered–while others have vanished altogether. From an Appalachian "bioblitz", to scuba diving for oysters, to a controlled burn of a unique seasonal wetland, learn how Marylanders are fighting to protect the state's legacy of life.