Tag: state parks

Federal cuts hit Deep Creek Lake State Park

Cumberland Times-News

MCHENRY — Jake Bonner, a member of the Maryland Conservation Corps, partially funded by the federal AmeriCorps program, is proud of the work of his crew, based at Deep Creek Lake State Park.

“We did a lot of trail work, chain-sawing, replacing signs, assisting with park events, and helping wherever we could,” said Bonner. The work was an “amazing way” to build a strong resume to pursue his goal of being a full-time park ranger.

His crew’s accomplishments included assisting Habitat for Humanity and the Deep Creek Dunk, clearing invasive plants at New Germany State Park, helping Maryland Special Olympics events at Wisp Resort, and treating hemlocks at Swallow Falls for insect infestation. The MCC’s work also took members to other state parks, including Rocky Gap and Assateague Island.

On April 26, Bonner and his co-workers and tens of thousands of other young workers across the nation — working in a multitude of sectors — were blindsided when the administration’s Department of Government Efficiency cut Americorps funding.

AmeriCorps, first authorized in 1993, is a public-private partnership. Volunteers receive stipends during their one-year service requirement and can receive scholarships at the end of their service. Before the cuts, the program had 700 staff members and supported 200,000 members.

In Maryland, AmeriCorps employed 4,949 members and funded 25 service programs.

In response to the cuts, Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown helped lead a coalition of 24 states and the District of Columbia suing the Trump administration to save AmeriCorps.

“In Maryland alone, programs that educate children, care for the elderly and rebuild homes are being wiped out overnight,” said Brown.

Calling the White House’s actions “unlawful, arbitrary and capricious” and in “defiance” of the Constitutional separation of powers, the suit said the program’s participants and beneficiaries were not given sufficient public notice of its termination.

Bonner would certainly agree. He was working at Fort Frederick State Park’s Market Fair when he and other Conservation Corps crew members, preparing for a lunch break, were told that funding had been cut, and they needed to go home.

“Both crews and the staff around us were extremely emotional, not knowing what was going to happen and when/if we’d see each other again,” said Bonner, who shared a house provided by the state near Deep Creek. “We went from being complete strangers to an inseparable group of friends and colleagues.”

Bonner credits members of the Maryland Park Service staff for being “incredibly supportive” and said he’s hopeful “we will find a way to keep going.”

Answering critics who say AmeriCorps dollars are “wasteful spending,” Bonner says: “All across the state now, we have MCC members who are left jobless, still volunteering with parks while we still can, because we love what we do, and we still want to get things done. It was never just a job to us. It was our chance to pursue our careers and do what we love in a way that helps people. Unfortunately, our absence will definitely be felt.”

Founded in 1984, prior to AmeriCorps, the Maryland Conservation Corps joined AmeriCorps in 1994. AmeriCorps’ administrators have consistently weighed costs and benefits, publishing reports in 2024 detailing the significant short, medium and long-term return on investments in areas like school dropout prevention, weatherization of homes and serving families at risk of homelessness.

DOGE cuts will also severely hamper the work of ASTAR (Appalachian Service Through Action and Resources), a statewide program based at Frostburg University. The program includes 26 site partnerships, many between Frederick and Garrett counties.

Nineteen of the 26 programs will be completely shut down, said Patrick O’Brien, director of civic engagement at Frostburg.

“Nonprofits in rural areas are usually pretty small,” said O’Brien. ASTAR, he added, is an “intermediary program that builds capacity,” placing members at non-profits like food pantries, Special Olympics Maryland, the Children’s Literature Center and Evergreen Heritage Center, a historical farm that hosts middle schoolers on field trips. ASTAR also places students in Frostburg’s Education Department as interns in schools, helping with lesson plans and technology.

“I am a product of AmeriCorps,” said O’Brien, formerly a business major. “The program changed my views and my life, shifting my focus to civic engagement and service.”

Grants Given To State Parks

April 14th, 2025 by WCBC Radio

Friends of Maryland State Parks has awarded 22 grants totaling over $37,000 to state parks across Maryland. Funding through the non-profit’s “Small Grants, Big Impact” program will support projects that enhance cultural history education, protect dunes, expand recreation, and promote conservation. Grants range from $900 to $2,000. Deep Creek Lake State Park received funding to expand a rain garden, and plant native species around the park’s aviary.

Maryland Park Service Graduates 20 New State Park Rangers

Southern Maryland Chronicles

The Maryland Park Service recently graduated 20 new State Park Rangers after they completed four weeks of training. The graduation ceremony took place on February 24, 2023, at Elk Neck State Park and NorthBay Adventure Camp. This is the 13th class of new State Park Rangers since the modern ranger school program was established in 2009.

Ranger school focuses on the primary jobs of the Maryland Park Ranger, which include operations, maintenance, interpretation, and customer service. During the four-week training, students participated in intensive practical exercises and written exams. The training was designed to simulate real-world scenarios, allowing rangers-in-training to execute emergency response, park operations, search and rescue missions, resource management, and more.

To become fully certified, rangers must also complete one year of operational experience. The new rangers will work in different regions, and they are as follows:

Central:

Nicole Staab, Rocks/Susquehanna State Park
Margaret White, Rocks/Susquehanna State Park

Eastern:

Brian Bokulic, Janes Island State Park
Ashley Brown, Pocomoke River State Park
Kirby Brown, Assateague State Park
Michael Fray, Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State Park
Erin Swale, Assateague State Park

Southern:

Samuel Behrens, Point Lookout State Park
Matthew Gregory, Southern Maryland Recreational Complex
Aubree Moore, Southern Maryland Recreational Complex
Calvin Ogburn, Southern Maryland Recreational Complex
Riley Schwertz, Point Lookout State Park

Western:

Travis Anthony, Cunningham Falls State Park
Emily Hendershot, Rocky Gap State Park
Ryan Keller, Herrington Manor State Park
Noah Manges, New Germany State Park
Cecilia Melton, South Mountain Recreation Area
Scott Offutt, Cunningham Falls State Park
Andrew Ogle, Deep Creek Lake State Park
Christine Smith, Deep Creek Lake State Park

“Maryland Park Rangers represent the vanguard of the Park Service mission – ‘to manage the state’s natural, cultural, historical, and recreational resources, to provide for wise stewardship and enjoyment by people,’” said Maryland Department of Natural Resources Secretary Josh Kurtz. “I thank each of them for their commitment to their duties, sharing and preserving our most treasured lands and waters now and for future generations.”

The Maryland Park Service takes pride in their ranger school program, which ensures that their rangers are highly skilled and competent in their duties. With the graduation of the 13th class of new State Park Rangers, the Maryland Park Service continues to maintain the quality of service they provide to the public.

State parks list events

From The Garrett County Republican

Friday, Dec. 21

Science Room open. Scavenger hunts available all day.

Saturday, Dec. 22

11 a.m., What’s That Reptile? — Come to the Discovery Center to learn about the reptiles and amphibians in the center, and you may have a chance to touch these amazing cold-blooded creatures.

1 p.m., Roving Naturalist — Meet some of the folks that care for the animal ambassadors in the Discovery Center. During this time, live animals will be out for a close-up, hands-on experience.

Sunday, Dec. 23

11 a.m., Snowflake Discovery — Join the naturalist to learn about snowflakes. Make a snowflake craft and try to capture “snowflake prints” if weather permits.

2 p.m., Aviary Feeding — Join us to learn some interesting facts, hear each bird’s story, and watch these amazing raptors eat.

To read the full article click here.

Gov. Hogan: Veterens will get free admission to all state parks

In honor of Veterans Day, Governor Larry Hogan today announced that all military veterans, including residents and non-residents, will be granted free admission and entrance to the network of 72 state parks managed by the Maryland Park Service.

The governor’s announcement directly impacts over 414,000 veterans living in Maryland with the highest concentrations residing in Prince George’s, Anne Arundel, Baltimore and Montgomery counties, and Baltimore City, and the region’s more than 1.4 million veterans

For more information click here.

Casselman River Bridge State Park

Casselman River Bridge State Park is located near Grantsville, Maryland on historic National Road (Route 40). The park spans four acres. It is known for it’s stone bridge, which was one of a kind when it was built in 1813. This park is perfect for anglers, history nuts, and kids. Spruce Forest Artisan Village and Penn Alps Restaurant and Craft Shop are located next to the park.

Grab a picnic basket and enjoy the day in Casselman River Bridge State Park!

For more information, click here or call 301-895-5453.

New listing! 2247 Herrington Manor Rd Oakland - GA8373774 - $191,000 - Walk to State Parks