Catch A Great Holiday Gift At The DNR Online Store

2010 Maryland Fishing License Now Available

ANNAPOLIS, MD (December 14, 2009) — The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) online store at www.shopdnr.com, is a great, green alternative to avoid the last minute shopping crowds, offering a wide variety of gifts for everyone on your list.

Released just in time for the holiday season, catch a 2010 Maryland Fishing License. It’s the perfect gift for an avid angler or just a fair-weather fisherman. The fishing license also comes with a 2010 fishing guide, filled with vital information for anyone who wants to pick up a rod and reel, including important changes in the rules and regulations since last year. It’s a gift that’s sure to go over swimmingly.

Instead of just wingin’ it, pick up a wildlife conservation print for that bird-watcher or art lover, or get your paws on a black bear conservation stamp, hat, stuffed animal, or t-shirt for the wildlife enthusiast. Proceeds from the sale of wildlife gifts help to fund wildlife monitoring and restoration efforts.

For your hiking or boating companions, consider the 2010 Maryland State Park Passport. The Passport is a great value as it gives free day-use entry for up to 10 people in a vehicle to any of Maryland’s 65 state parks; free boat launching at all facilities; and a 10 percent discount on state-operated concessions and boat rentals. Waterproof and tear-proof trail guides and reusable cotton bandana maps make great gifts for any hikers, horseback riders or mountain bikers.

Future, current, or retired firefighters will enjoy a limited edition centennial forest fire truck. Environmentalists will delight in the Gift of Trees that gives not only to them, but to future generations and the environment by planting a tree through DNR’s Forest Service’s Tree-Mendous Program.

DNR’s 2010 Natural Resource Calendar featuring winning photographs from the 2009 DNR Photo Contest makes the perfect gift for anyone on your list, and the best part is they will think of you all year. A subscription to the Natural Resource Magazine is another great gift that keeps giving all year long.

All of these gifts may be purchased online at www.shopdnr.com and delivered by Christmas if ordered by December 18.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages more than 461,000 acres of public lands and 17,000 miles of waterways, along with Maryland's forests, fisheries, and wildlife for maximum environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land conservation, DNR-managed parks and natural, historic, and cultural resources attract 12 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland's effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state's number one environmental priority. Learn more at www.dnr.maryland.gov