Street Trees Save Lives The life of a street tree isn’t an easy one. Urban trees face stress resulting from the heat island effect, concentrated air & water pollution, compacted soils, and vandalism resulting from vehicle and pedestrian traffic – to name just a few. Yet street trees are a crucial part of city life….
You have a new tree! This is the beginning of a very long and beautiful friendship. Congratulations! Photo: Mature northern red oak in the woods of Druid Hill Park Care for your tree and it will care for you (and future generations!): Depending on its species, a tree will live for a few decades or…
Medstar Harbor Hospital (MHH), one of two waterfront hospitals in Maryland, sits on a 30-acre campus directly on the Patapsco River. An extensive lawn and numerous parking lots had for years caused rainwater and pollution to flow off the property directly into the river, and subsequently into the Chesapeake Bay. As part of a 15-year…
What are native, non-native, and invasive plant species? Native species have co-evolved in specific ecosystems for thousands of years. Native plants are anchors of healthy, biodiverse communities. They have adapted to local soils and climate conditions. Each species plays a necessary role in the delicate web of life and preserves the balance and beauty of…
In this year’s highly contested race for mayor of Baltimore City, candidates had yet to address the environment as a top tier issue. A coalition of local organizations, Baltimore Blue+Green+Just (BBGJ), hosted an environmental forum to change that. More than 450 residents came out to Monday’s forum to ask candidates about their plans to make…
Eight attempts at a Baltimore plastic bag ban have come and gone since 2006. Today, nine times proved to be the charm. This morning, Mayor Jack Young signed the Comprehensive Bag Reduction Bill into law. The signing drew dozens of advocates, city officials, press, and community members together. In Baltimore, plastic bags are everywhere. They…
Last Saturday morning – October 26, 2019 – Blue Water Baltimore, the Port of Baltimore, and HeartSmiles hosted a tree planting in honor of late Representative Elijah E. Cummings. More than 70 volunteers planted 73 trees along the Port’s Broening Highway. Each tree pays tribute to his outstanding leadership and dedication to Baltimore’s youth and…
Last week, a powerful storm flooded Baltimore’s most popular neighborhoods. Our waterways took a hit, too. On August 6, 2019, the storm dropped almost a half foot of rain in a two-hour span. Flash floods overtook many neighborhoods at the foot of the Jones Falls watershed. Some people posted dramatic photos of stranded cars and flooded…
Baltimore is trying to ban plastic bags…again. This time, the ban has a big chance of becoming law…with your help. In Baltimore, plastic bags are everywhere. They fly down our streets, get caught in trees, clog our waterways, and harm our wildlife. A bill to ban plastic bags in Baltimore City has been over a…
Over the past weekend, thousands of people have taken to Twitter to showcase why #WeAreBaltimore and #WeLoveBaltimore. Residents from all walks of life are sharing positive stories about their lives in Charm City. The outpour of pride and love for Baltimore has taken the world by storm. From world-class seafood to Edgar Allen Poe, there…