December

Start The Holidays With A Tour Of AAMC's Lights On The Bay - 12-10-2003
Anne Arundel Medical Center’s holiday light show Lights on the Bay at Sandy Point State Park is now in full swing. This year’s show features a two-mile drive along the shore of the Chesapeake Bay where more than 60 spectacular animated and stationary displays illuminate the roadways.

Holiday Gift Ideas For Boaters - 12-8-2003
Gift Ideas for Safe, Smart and Clean Boating

MD DNR Recognizes Long-Time Employee by Dedicating Visitor Center - 12-5-2003
Recognizing that one man can make a difference, Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Secretary C. Ronald Franks today dedicated the North Point State Park Visitor Center to Sparrows Point resident Steve Takos, (pronounced TAY-kohs) who has volunteered countless hours since 1937 to restore many of the structures that existed when the area was home to one of the most popular amusement parks on the Eastern seaboard.

Good Firewood Still Available At Greenbrier State Park - 12-5-2003
Now that wintry weather has arrived, fireplaces and wood-burning stoves will once again be pressed into service to warm homes throughout the state. To keep these friendly fires burning requires lots of wood.

Forest Service Offers Tips On Selecting The Perfect Christmas Tree - 12-4-2003
If you don’t choose the right one, you may find yourself cleaning up fallen needles even before you get the first ornament on your tree.



November

How To Save Your Trees From The Next Isabel - 11-15-2003
Research shows that pruning can reduce the risk of windthrown trees



October

Bass Pro Shop Hampton, VA Store to Open November 13th - 10-24-2003
The newest Bass Pro Shops® Outdoor World®, a 105,000 square-foot sportsman's paradise, will open November 13th at the Power Plant of Hampton Roads retail development in Hampton, Virginia. Located at Pine Chapel Road and I-64, Bass Pro Shops® Outdoor World® Hampton's grand opening celebration will include exciting exhibits, top pros, special prizes and a full array of Bass Pro Shops products.

Ongoing Updates On Selected State Forests And Parks, Public Lands Reopening - 10-1-2003
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced the following openings of state forests, parks, natural resources management areas, natural environment areas and wildlife management areas.



September

Hurricane Isabel Photos - 9-26-2003
Hurricane Isabel photos from the Chesapeake Bay.

Hurricane Isabel Recreational Boat Losses Total Over $150 Million - 9-25-2003
Boat Owners Association of The United States reports that losses to recreational boats from Hurricane Isabel (not including marinas, other infrastructure or commercial vessels) will total over $150 million. Much of the damage occurred in the upper reaches of the Chesapeake Bay and Potomac River watersheds, far from the storm’s North Carolina landfall.

Hurricane Preparation Tips from BoatU.S. - 9-15-2003
Is your boat ready for storm surge, driving winds, and torrential downpours? With the peak hurricane season upon us, Boat Owners Association of The United States has these top five tips to help weather the storm:

Breezy Point Marina Virtual Tour - 9-6-2003
Take a 360° fully immersive virtual tour of Breezy Point Marina in Chesapeake Beach, MD.



August

Calvert Cliffs State Park - Calvert County, MD Virtual Tour - 8-11-2003
A virtual tour of Calvert Cliffs State Park located in Calvert County, MD.



June

July 4th Busiest Boating Day of the Year - 6-25-2003
Boat Owner’s Association of The United States is urging all boaters to prepare and operate with care this July 4th, traditionally the busiest boating day of the year.

Safe Boating and Excess Alcohol Don’t Mix - 6-25-2003
Natural Resources Police remind boaters of alcohol’s dangers on the water

Governor Ehrlich Announces $1.2 Million in Relief to Maryland Watermen - 6-25-2003
Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. hasannounced that the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will immediately begin the process of distributing $1.2 million in state funding to qualified, blue crab waterman affected by the past three crabbing seasons.



May

National Fishing & Boating Week June 1-8 - 5-23-2003
The Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatU.S.) is encouraging all boaters and fishermen to take advantage of the special events planned for the third annual National Fishing and Boating Week June 1 - 8.

MD Governor Authorizes DNR to Implement Mute Swan Management Plan - 5-12-2003
Demonstrating his commitment to preserving the integrity of the Chesapeake Bay’s fragile ecosystem, Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. today authorized the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to implement a statewide mute swan management plan.

Upper Chesapeake Voted to Top 25 Fishing Hot Spot by Field & Stream - 5-12-2003
Maryland’s upper Chesapeake Bay is listed in the country’s top 25 places to fish by Field and Stream magazine. Fishing destinations were selected for “extraordinary beauty, diversity, and unique personalities”. Without question, the upper Bay possesses these attributes. The upper Bay offers expansive views, a broad diversity of fishing opportunities, and unique challenges.

As Rockfish Abound, Anglers Asked To Remember Regulations - 5-12-2003
As anglers continue to enjoy the most successful striped bass fishing season since 1990, Maryland Department of Natural Resources Secretary C. Ronald Franks today reminded anglers of the importance of following fishing regulations to protect this invaluable living resource.

Power Catamarans Begin Inaugural Season on the Chesapeake - 5-12-2003
Travelers who participate in the Sunsail power catamarans' inaugural season on the Chesapeake Bay will find big savings when they book early.



April

Rockfish Season Opens With a Bang! - 4-22-2003
Capt. Greg Madjeski on the TempleM opened rockfish season with a bang on April 19th when Angler, Mike Singleton (Clifton, Va) caught this 51inch, 49lb 5oz Rockfish in the Chesapeake Bay just off the Patuxent River.

Chesapeake Photo Gallery Announces Lighthouse Exhibit - 4-2-2003
Chesapeake Photo Gallery, the only gallery in the Chesapeake Bay region to exclusively feature photography, announced today the dates of its next exhibit: “Lighthouses of the Chesapeake Bay Region” to run from April 1st through April 30th, 2003.



March

CBF Endorses Test of Sterilized Non-native Oysters in Chesapeake Waters - 3-7-2003
Controlled experiment not an "introduction" of an alien species

2003 Toyota Prius Chesapeake Bay River Sojourns - 3-7-2003
Summer paddling trips to take place on Susquehanna, Potomac, Patuxent and James Rivers

Two New England Students Join Effort to Save Skipjacks - 3-7-2003
Two seniors from Holderness School in Plymouth, N.H., are spending 10 days outside the classroom helping restore Chesapeake Bay skipjacks, the last commercial sailing fishing fleet in the country.

Boonsboro Angler Catches MD State Record Yellow Perch - 3-7-2003
Boonsboro angler Kevin Gladhill beat a yellow perch state record that has stood for nearly 20 years, while ice fishing in Deep Creek Lake on Saturday.

Latest Bay Grass Survey Shows Increases In Maryland's Coastal Bays - 3-7-2003
Bay grasses in Maryland’s Coastal Bays are increasing, according to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR).



February

Think Warm Weather, Think Antique & Classic Boat Fest - 2-24-2003
Ice-covered creeks got you in the winter doldrums? Think warm weather and the 16th annual Antique & Classic Boat Festival, set for balmy June 13 through June 15 at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum.

Maryland DNR to Begin Trout Stocking - 2-24-2003
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Fisheries Service is set to begin stocking nearly 429,000 adult trout in 127 lakes, ponds and stream sections across 18 counties in Maryland. Pre-season stocking will begin in mid-February, and the full season stocking will begin during the second week of March, in preparation for the opening day of trout season on Saturday, March 29.

MD Summer Flounder Regulations Proposed - 2-24-2003
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Service has submitted a proposal to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission for the following regulations for the 2003 recreational summer flounder fishing season.

Latest Bay Grass Survey Shows Increases In Maryland's Coastal Bays - 2-24-2003
Bay grasses in Maryland’s Coastal Bays are increasing, according to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR).



January

BoatU.S. and West Marine Form Strategic Alliance: West Marine Acquires BoatU.S. Retail Equipment Operation - 1-15-2003
BoatU.S., which has succeeded in building its ranks to a record 535,000 dues-paying members, has entered into a long term, strategic alliance with West Marine, the world’s largest boating supplier. Under the strategic alliance, West Marine will promote BoatU.S. membership and its consumer services while acquiring the BoatU.S. retail equipment operation, including its 62 marine centers, mail-order and wholesale components.

Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum Open House - 1-15-2003
ST. MICHAELS—The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum is inviting the public to view preliminary sketches of its next permanent exhibition building during an open house Wednesday, January 22, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the museum’s Steamboat Building.

Bay Foundation Completes Grant to Protect 200 Acres of Restored Stream Banks - 1-15-2003
RICHMOND, VA. -- Using a grant from the Virginia Water Quality Improvement Fund and other federal and state incentive programs, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) has completed agreements with several Virginia landowners that will permanently protect nearly 200 acres of restored stream banks (or buffers) in Virginia's Chesapeake Bay watershed. The agreements, called conservation easements, will help permanently restore and protect water quality in tributaries flowing to the Bay.

Romance Is In The Water At The Baltimore Aquarium - 1-15-2003
Romance is in the water at the National Aquarium in Baltimore, and couples of all stages can experience memorable escapades among the splendor of the sea throughout the Valentine’s season.

DNR Finalizes Chapman’s Forest Plan to Guide Future Use and Protection - 1-15-2003
Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Secretary J. Charles Fox has announced the approval of the final Land Unit Plan for the Chapman’s Forest property in Charles County. The plan identifies a long-term vision for the 2,180 acre property and outlines the future management, protection, and conservation of the property’s significant cultural and natural resources while allowing opportunities for appropriate public use, access and natural resource-based recreation.

St. Mary’s Landowner Donates Fifth Land Easement - 1-15-2003
Maryland landowner and businessman Paul Facchina has signed his fifth conservation easement to the Maryland Environmental Trust (MET) on 222 acres of land in St. Mary’s County. He is just the fourth individual in the Trust’s 30-year history to permanently preserve over 1,000 acres of land -- and the first to do so since 1986.

Long Beach Marina Pledges to Minimize Pollution - 1-15-2003
Long Beach Marina in Baltimore has vowed to take measures to protect Maryland’s waterways. By signing the Clean Marina Pledge, new owner George Anagnostou has committed to do his part to keep Maryland’s waterways free of harmful chemicals, excess nutrients and debris. A total of 163 boating facilities have now taken the Clean Marina Pledge.

Sandy Pt Polar Bear Plunge - 1-10-2003
In 2002 alone, this unique event has raised an incredible $401,000 and attracted nearly 2,000 Plungers. Now in its 7th year, the Plunge promises to be another fantastic day with great food, music, costumes galore and a special grand prize drawing which all participants are eligible to win.