One Water Partnership
Following the success of Blue Water Congregations, Blue Water Baltimore is proud to announce a continued partnership with Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake (IPC) on a program called One Water Partnership, to engage congregations in the Jones Falls Watershed in environmental stewardship. IPC was recently awarded a $199,300 grant through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation for this program that will raise awareness about human impacts on the Earth and accelerate the implementation of pollution-reduction projects on congregational property in Baltimore’s Jones Fall Watershed.
There are over 250 congregations in the Jones Falls Watershed, representing communities who look to their place of worship for leadership and guidance. This program will engage 30 of these congregations, 15 of which will participate in at least six acts of stewardship over the two year period of the project. These 15 congregations making a deeper commitment will sign a Covenant to each other, acting as a support group to ensure they continue to lead as stewards of the Earth in their communities.
The restoration goals of the program include treating and/or removing 15,000 square feet of impervious surface, developing nutrient management plans at eight congregations, planting 150 trees at congregations, and installing up to 5,000 square feet of rain gardens.
Blue Water Baltimore will work with IPC to educate congregations about the impacts of urban polluted runoff and assist them in identifying stormwater reduction and greening actions they can take on their property. In addition to reducing stormwater, congregations can also earn credits to reduce the amount of their stormwater remediation fees. Program partners University of Maryland Sea Grant Extension and Interfaith Power & Light will work to provide congregations with opportunities for environmental stewardship.
Check out One Water Partnership’s web page here for more details and to register.