Lawrence

🍁🍂 Maryland Fall Foliage Report 🍁🍂 Fall foliage continues to peak this week in Garrett and Allegany counties in western Maryland. Trees in central Maryland are at their midpoint, approaching peak foliage. Cooler temperatures should help prompt change. Keep an eye out for sugar maples, which show a range of red, orange, and yellow shades this time of year. “You can see a sunset in a single tree,” Forester Bob Schwartz said. On the Eastern Shore, watch out for the rare but stunning ash tree, the leaves of which turn a golden yellow this time of year. While the emerald ash borer beetle has caused significant damage to ash trees, efforts to fight the pest with biocontrols offer a glimmer of hope that ash may one day return to a place of prominence in Maryland forests. Read this week's full report: ow.ly/Pufg5100riG

🍁🍂 Maryland Fall Foliage Report 🍁🍂 Sunny days, cool nights and a heavy frost have accelerated leaf change in Western Maryland. The region is seeing its peak this week into next week. A little farther east in Washington County leaves are just starting to change, but a quick transition is expected. On the Eastern Shore, cedars are starting to change color. Maryland State Parks have some fun events planned to enjoy the fall weather and the spooky season – check out the Happenings section below! Read this week's full report: ow.ly/5jzK50ZW62L

📰: Deer Fall Breeding Season Increases Collision Risk for Drivers Deer mating season is right around the corner, which means deer will travel across roads in often unpredictable patterns at all times of the day and night in search of a mate. Most other wildlife are also more active at this time of year, as they search for food to prepare for the coming winter. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources reminds motorists to be vigilant. Read more: ow.ly/sv6z50ZVxE9

In the summer and early fall, chanterelle mushrooms can be found in Maryland. These distinctive mushrooms are orange, yellow, or red, and are prized for their savory, peppery taste. Chanterelles gained prominence in French cooking and are now one of the most popular foraged mushrooms. 🍄‍🟫 The funnel-shaped fungi grow directly out of the soil, often around hardwood trees like oak and beech trees. They’re first noticeable as small pins that emerge from the ground, before growing larger over time. They grow in patches, and you will sometimes find groups of them sprouting in close proximity (just make sure they’re not jack-o-lantern mushrooms, which are also orange but grow in big clusters and are not safe to eat). If you find chanterelles, mark your location – they’ll often return in the same spot year after year. Before foraging, make sure you have permission to pick mushrooms and confirm the identification of anything you find before cooking it. DNR’s Wild Maryland Cookbook has a chanterelle mushroom recipe, for pairing with white fish, salmon, eggs, veal, or on its own: 🍄 In a large sauté pan, heat butter or butter in the oil over high heat until it just begins to stop bubbling. 🍄‍🟫 Add chanterelles and sauté 2-3 minutes over high heat. If they quickly produce some liquid at this point, pour off the liquid and add more cooking “fat” to the pan & continue sautéing. 🍄 After 3 minutes, reduce heat to medium, push mushrooms to the edge of the pan and add at least 1 tablespoon of butter or olive oil to the center or opposite edge of the pan. 🍄‍🟫 Add garlic and shallots to the fat and cook until they are slightly colored. 🍄 Stir all of the contents of the pan together & continue to sauté until the mushrooms are just slightly brown but still juicy. 🍄‍🟫 If they seem at all dry, add 1/4 cup or so of chicken or vegetable broth and cook until the liquid is almost gone. 🍄 Add herbs, stir once or twice, and season with salt and pepper to taste. dnr.maryland.gov/cookbook/Pa…

📰: Maryland Department of Natural Resources to Begin Fall Trout Stocking for 2026 We will begin the annual fall trout stocking program the first full week in October. The program will bring thousands of hatchery-raised rainbow, brown, and golden rainbow trout to streams and impoundments across the state. This initiative provides recreational fishing opportunities for anglers of all ages and skill levels throughout the autumn months. Read more: ow.ly/3Ky250ZTcYJ

Look for the full Moon on September 26. It will rise at 6:45 p.m. September’s full moon has many names, both contemporary and older, and often they center around the harvest of crops. The name Corn Moon was recorded in 1722 as used by native peoples of Virginia, although it is unclear whether this is meant to be August or September. In contemporary times, the full moon closest to the autumnal equinox is known as the Harvest Moon.

Great news for Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay! Underwater grasses expanded by nearly 13% in 2025, adding more than 4,600 acres of critical Bay habitat in just one year. These underwater grass beds provide essential habitat for blue crabs, fish, waterfowl, and other wildlife while improving water quality, stabilizing sediments, and helping build a healthier, more resilient Chesapeake Bay. The gains are encouraging, and a great reminder of why protecting existing SAV, improving water quality, and continuing long-term monitoring and restoration are so important. Read the full Maryland DNR release here: news.maryland.gov/dnr/2026/0… #ChesapeakeBay #UnderwaterGrasses #SAV #BayGrasses #MarylandDNR #BayRestoration