Sustainability Open House on 6/26, Extreme Heat Alert System, Jobs & Funding Opportunities, Staff Updates, and more. | |
Dear Baltimore Office of Sustainability Friends,
Happy Birthday, Baltimore!
In 1729, a charter that created Baltimore was approved, establishing “Baltimore Town’ as 60 one-acre lot the following year. Now a city of over 92 square miles of land and water, Baltimore’s 295th anniversary will be commemorated on July 26th at Live Baltimore’s annual bash. You can learn more about Baltimore's history here. Alternatively, you can celebrate at home or in your neighborhood by enjoying some of your favorite Baltimore-centric activities. As you celebrate, please remember that it is Plastic Free July and limit or eliminate your use of plastic while saluting our City. Living plastic free, or even limiting your use of plastic, helps protect the planet and all its inhabitants in many ways, particularly wildlife that can be injured or perish when they consume plastic waste and become caught in it. Appropriately, July is also Wild About Wildlife Month and July 28th is World Nature Conservation Day so it’s an ideal time to reduce or eliminate plastic in honor of the wildlife who share the planet with us.
Happy Reading!
Baltimore Office of Sustainability Staff
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Meet the New Baltimore Beyond Plastics Interns | This month, we shine a light on the two most recent additions to our Baltimore Beyond Plastic (BBP) internship program. BBP is a youth-led, action-oriented organization dedicated to merging public health, environmental advocacy, and legislation to change the world. The internship program kickstarted in 2016 and since has advanced environmental justice in Baltimore through community organizing and support of environmental legislation. | | |
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Mikayla Makel (pictured left, credit Baltimore Office of Sustainability), is a rising junior at the Baltimore campus of Bard High School Early College. As someone who was born and raised in Baltimore, Mikayla was drawn to the internship program’s opportunity to not only learn more about the city’s environment, but also to take actions to improve the city. Since joining the BBP cohort, Mikayla has advanced her knowledge of environmental justice and the “Black Butterfly” theory. In addition, she reports having formed strong ties with other interns in BBP and other youth leaders from different youth-led organizations.
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Marquise Culp (pictured right, credit Baltimore Office of Sustainability) is a rising sophomore at Baltimore Polytechnic Institute who aspires to go to Howard University to study business & finance. Long-term, Marquise aims to work in the real estate industry. Today, Marquise is a very involved student that has interest in engaging with community, building a professional network, and gaining work experience. Aside from his participation in Baltimore Beyond Plastic, Marquise volunteers his time as a member of Recycling Club, Gardening Club, and the School Newspaper Club.
Both are particularly excited about the upcoming book talk event on The Black Butterfly: The Harmful Politics of Race and Space in America being organized by the BBP interns and hope it will help get more youth involved in environmental justice work in Baltimore.
| You don’t have to be a climate scientist or city planner to help improve the sustainability and resilience of Baltimore. Everyone has a story to tell about making Baltimore a stronger, safer, and more equitable place. We’ve been collecting stories on our website, and we invite you to share yours with us by posting on social media with the hashtag #EveryStoryCounts and/or by emailing us. | | |
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Baltimore Awarded Funds to Create Two Watershed Master Plans
On June 20th, Maryland DNR announced that they would be funding the creation of Watershed Master Plans for Gwynns Falls and Baltimore Harbor watersheds. These plans will guide flood prevention planning and take into account climate change-related flood risks. These plans will also help Baltimore City advance its rating in FEMAs Community Rating System which currently earns all National Flood Insurance Policy holders a 25% discount. Read more here.
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Welcome Natalie Cohen, Baltimore Office of Sustainability's Reimagine Middle Branch Program Manager
Natalie Cohen (pictured right, credit Baltimore Office of Sustainability) recently joined the Office of Sustainability as the Reimagine Middle Branch Program Manager. For the past seven years, Natalie has focused on the creation and stewardship of urban greenspaces throughout the Mid-Atlantic that provide equitable access to nature, serve as wildlife habitat, and boost climate resiliency. Natalie grew up swimming and playing in the Patapsco River and is excited to reconnect South Baltimore communities to this incredible asset. In her free time, you can find Natalie in the garden, thrifting, or lounging in Baltimore’s lovely parks.
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Sustainability Highlights | | |
Sustainability Open House Launches Recent Plans | |
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On June 26th, the Baltimore Office of Sustainability launched the Climate Action Plan Update and the latest Disaster Preparedness Plan during its annual Open House at the Middle Branch Fitness and Wellness Center. Over 140 guests dropped in to learn more about climate action in Baltimore and how they can become involved while enjoying free food, activities and picking up sustainable giveaways such as plants, reusable utensils and more. The event was free, all ages and open to the public.
Missed the event? Click on the hyperlinks to read Climate Action and the Disaster Preparedness & Planning Project (DP3) Plans.
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Guests received resources and information about climate action. Credit: Baltimore Office of Sustainability | | |
Keep Cool During Extreme Heat Days | |
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Heat indexes of 105 degrees and over can cause a wide range of public health issues including mental health stressors. During Code Red activations, it is recommended to monitor stress levels and reduce risks that are associated with extreme heat. Here are some tips to help get you through the summer:
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Diet: Eat water-based fruits and vegetables like watermelons, oranges, peaches, plums, pineapples, and raspberries. Limit alcohol consumption during Code Red activations. Also, STAY HYDRATED.
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Environment: Utilize the city’s Cooling Centers which can be found here.
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Weatherize your home: Use cooling curtains, place ice trays in front of fans, unplug heat producing appliances when not in use.
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Clothing: Place t-shirts in the freezer and change them often, use cooling patches or personal fanning devices that are sold at most pharmacies to bring your body temperature down.
You can find more tips to beat the heat from the Baltimore County Department of Health here.
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July Sustainability Commission Meeting: Wednesday, July 17th from 4-6pm. Join the Commission on Sustainability each month to learn about initiatives, projects and programs intended to make the city more sustainable, more equitable and more climate resilient! Over the next three months, the Commission agenda will be based around the theme of Energy & Economy, with this month's agenda providing an overview of recent legislation.
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Volunteer: Affordable Produce Delivery Days 2024: Thursday mornings, July – December at Civic Works Firehouse. Civic Works' Real Food Farm needs delivery drivers for the Affordable Produce Delivery Program (APDP). APDP provides fresh local produce delivered weekly to the older adults (55+) of Baltimore City at a reduced cost.
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2024 Baltimore City Generational Health Summit: Saturday, July 27th from 10am-3pm at 4001 Clifton Ave. This FREE event will highlight the importance of Black health as attendees discuss topics such as chronic disease prevention, nutrition, mental health, women's and men's health. Hosts will be providing FREE health screenings, wellness resources, nutrition demos, workout sessions, and more.
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Home Composting Workshop at Harwood Community Garden: Friday, July 26th from 6:30-7:30pm at Harwood Community Garden. The hands-on workshop will cover the benefits of compost, the setup and steps to creating successful compost, and how to treat common problems that might arise.
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Queer Climate Cabaret Call for Proposals: Due by Friday, July 26th. Thanks to a community outreach grant from MD Climate Partners, Vital Matters is commissioning a performing artist to create an imaginative, entertaining act based on or responding to the Maryland Climate Plan for a Queer Climate Cabaret(QCC), which will take place at Creative Alliance in Baltimore on October 17, 2024.
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Fruit Trees 101: Saturday, July 27th at 11am at Filbert Street Garden. Join Filbert Street Garden for a workshop with Charles DeBarber and their Master Gardener to learn about growing fruit trees in Baltimore City. This workshop will cover the ins and outs of planting and helping your fruit trees thrive, from seed to pruning needs.
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Lunch & Learn: Race and the Road: Fighting the “Highway to Nowhere” (Virtual): Thursday, August 8th from 1-2pm. Drawing from his book, Stop the Road, Stories from the Trenches of Baltimore’s Road Wars, Evans Paull gives an up close and personal account of Baltimore’s 40-year battle over expressway plans.
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Exploring the Soil Food Web: Wednesday, August 14th from 6-8pm at 2159 W Rogers Ave. This field day is a combination discussion and hands-on workshop, focused on the microbiome of healthy soil and the ways that healthy soil supports healthy plants and people! Tickets are $15 per person.
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Job Opportunities: Baltimore City Government: City government has many job openings available, including several roles that involve coordination with the Office of Sustainability – a Climate Action Project Specialist, three Planner II roles and a Capital Budget Analyst with the Department of Planning, Redevelopment Strategy Planners with the Department of Housing & Community Development, and an Administrative Support/Community Aide role for Camp Small with the Department of Recreation and Parks.
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Job Opportunity: Civic Works: Civic Works is recruiting for a Director of Energy Programs.
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Job Opportunity: Maryland Energy Administration: MEA is hiring for several Energy Specialist positions.
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Free Fall Baltimore Grant Program: Deadline: Extended to July 21st. Each year BOPA provides grants to Baltimore City-based organizations, local venues, and individual artists/creatives to produce free cultural events during October.
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Project FEED Pilot Grant Program: Deadline: July 22nd. This grant program offered by BMORE Beautiful provides funding to organizations operating in Baltimore’s designated food deserts to increase access to free and healthy produce in these neighborhoods.
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Love Your Block Grants: Deadline: August 1st. Love Your Block is a community engagement grant designed to support small projects that have a clear public benefit, the focus is on reducing litter while enhancing the overall aesthetic of the neighborhood.
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USDA Foundational and Applied Science Program Grants: Deadlines vary: August 1st through November 14th. These grants cover research, education, and extension projects with a wide variety of topics and eligible entities. Application deadlines vary depending on program area.
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DPW Small Business Development Program: Deadline: August 11th. The program has been developed to assist local, mall, and minority or woman-owned business enterprises to become ready to support City utility construction work. Scholarships are available to cover the cost of training.
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CBT Outreach & Restoration Grant Program: Deadline: August 22nd. This grant program encourages outreach, community engagement activities, and on-the-ground restoration projects that involve residents in restoring local green spaces, waterways, and natural resources.
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Healthy Environment, Healthy Communities Grant Program: Deadline: October 24th. This program can support environmental outreach, education, and engagement projects, environmental action projects, and larger-scale restoration projects in the communities of the Back River and Patapsco River (including Gwynns Falls, Jones Falls, Baltimore Harbor, and the main stem of the river) Watersheds and the Curtis Bay and Surrounding areas.
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Turtle Tips: Swimming Safety | |
The hot, humid days of summer are upon us here in Baltimore. What better way to beat the heat than swimming! Here are a few reminders to stay safe when you hit the pool or beach this summer.
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Provide close and constant attention to children you are supervising in or near water. Never assume someone else is watching unless it has been explicitly stated.
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Don’t rely on any flotation device other than a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket. Rafts and noodles are fun in the pool, but aren’t as fail-safe as a life jacket, especially for young children and inexperienced swimmers.
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Get swim lessons and make sure everyone in the family knows what to do in case of a water emergency. The Red Cross offers free learn-to-swim courses and pool/water safety courses along with the usual CPR/first aid courses. Lessons may also be available at Baltimore City pools.
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Check the water safety of a beach or river before you go. Swimming 48 hours after rainfall is discouraged due to higher bacteria and contaminant levels. MDE provides status updates here.
A list of City pools and splash pads can be found here. Splash pads are a great, safe alternative to beat the heat for those who can’t swim.
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We Love Feedback
Tell us what you want to hear! Do you have ideas on newsletter content? Or would you like to nominate an organization or person to be featured? Email us at sustainability@baltimorecity.gov.
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Our Mission
The Office of Sustainability develops and advocates for programs and policies that improve Baltimore's long-term environmental, social, and economic viability.
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417 E Fayette St, 8th Floor
Baltimore, MD 21202
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Newsletter Contributors: Joanna Birch, Floodplain Manager; Natlaie Cohen, Reimagine Middle Branch Program Manager; Amy Gilder-Busatti, Sustainability Manager; Grace Hansen, Coastal Planner; Erica Pinket, Climate & Resilience Planner; Ava Richardson, Sustainability Director; Valerie Rupp, Climate and Resilience Program Manager; Ebone Smith, Community & Youth Engagement Coordinator; Rachel Whiteheart, Environmental Planner | | | | |
