Program Updates - Patapsco River Baltimore
2017
Stormwater Management Technician Training Program
The Baltimore Center for Green Careers has utilized the EPA’s Urban Waters Small Grants to create the Civic Works’ Stormwater Management Technician Training Program. The program aims to increase green employment for Baltimore’s willing yet underemployed workforce while also providing solutions for stormwater runoff issues. So far, roughly 30 students have graduated with all of them finding jobs in either the public or private sectors.
Read more about the success of this Green Careers program here.
Workplan Progress
On June 14, the partnership held a meeting which focuses on actionable science, green networking, accomplishments, and mapping efforts. The Office of Sustainability gave a presentation on the Growing Green Initiative. The partnership covered the Healthy Harbor report card for 2016 and focused on increasing outreach and messaging.
Forest Service supports roundtable follow-up
The Chief of the US Forest Service visited the Baltimore Field Station on January 12th as a follow up to the successful White House Roundtable discussion regarding green space and other environmental concerns in Baltimore. The visit was a signal of support from the Chief and confirmation of the commitment to implement solutions discussed. During the visit, the Chief also met with partners including: Humanim's DETAILS Deconstruction, Parks and People, and Green Street Academy to look at agriculture and youth engagement efforts.
2016
White House Roundtable on Green Spaces, Cleaner Water, and Stronger Neighborhoods
The Federal Baltimore Task Force at the office of the Parks and People Foundation convened the White House Roundtable on Green Spaces, Cleaner Water, and Stronger Neighborhoods on October 14th. The event identified issues, opportunities, and solutions related to the three topic areas. The Urban Waters Federal Partnership was highlighted as a key resource in reaching goals such as cleaning up waterways and involving citizens in the process to create a sense of ownership over their natural spaces. The Baltimore Urban Waters Partnership will be the venue for tracking and supporting the advancement of the action items from the meeting.
Read the Roundtable Summary here.
Reclaiming Vacant Properties 2016 Conference
Around 1,000 participants from various communities attended the conference themed around "In the Service of People and Place," which examined how reclaiming vacant properties can improve the quality of life of those in surrounding areas. Baltimore Urban Waters Partners presented on strategies for addressing vacant land in the City of Baltimore. At the close of the conference, members of the Patapsco and Middle Blue River Urban Waters Partnerships discussed strategies for vacant land greening.
More information on the conference can be found here.
Floating Wetlands
On January 28, the National Aquarium, a partner organization at the Patapsco River Baltimore location, unveiled a plan to build floating wetlands in Baltimore's Inner Harbor. The green space will bring vegetation, interactive exhibits, kayaking, picnic spaces, and other educational activities to the waterfront. The plans call for work to begin by the end of 2016, with completion of the project set for 2019.
Read the article in the Baltimore Sun about this wetlands project.