About the Department of Natural Resources
The Department of Natural Resources leads Maryland in securing a sustainable future for our environment, society, and economy by preserving, protecting, restoring, and enhancing the state’s natural resources.
Josh Kurtz is a lifelong outdoor enthusiast and conservationist, passionate about the beauty of our state and all the resources it has to offer.
Under the Moore/Miller administration, Secretary Kurtz leads teams across the state, working to improve water quality and bay resilience, restore and conserve forested land, expand access to our state parks, monitor and slow the spread of invasive species, and ensure the state maintains sustainable fisheries.
Kurtz previously served as the Maryland executive director of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, and has also served as policy and government relations director for The Nature Conservancy in Maryland, where he created and led advocacy campaigns leveraging strong relationships with partners and industry leaders to build support for policies regarding conservation and climate change in both the Maryland General Assembly and the DC City Council.
Kurtz lives in Crownsville, Maryland, with his wife, Samantha, and their son. He holds a master's degree in public policy from George Mason University and a bachelor's degree in wildlife conservation from the University of Delaware.