Common Waters is a blog that focuses on environmental issues affecting the Chesapeake Bay region (New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Delaware, and the District of Columbia), with an emphasis on areas of concern affecting watersheds that surround Baltimore City. Created by Valerie Butler who has a B.S. in biology and has worked for many federal, state and local environmental research organizations. Find out more about what’s being done to protect our waterways, environmental film fests and other outdoor events.
After watching this beautiful, simple film, you will want to run outside, grab a few hundred friends and make some words yourself. Never has the sense of urgency about climate action been so creatively expressed. Its relevance for Baltimore’s budding Sustainability Plan cannot be underestimated. While you are inspired and raring to go, head on over to 350.org and sign up to receive their action notices. We are scheming ways to help Baltimore develop a Climate Action Plan , neighborhood by neighborhood. Drop us a line with your ideas — either via the "contact us" page or on our social networking site’s discussion forums. Yes, we need to lean on our elected officials ( federal , state , and local ), and YES — there is a lot we can do ourselves.
Wayne’s Wholesale Nursery provides plant material in a wide variety of seasonal color and specialty plants grown in their covered greenhouses. The nursery is experienced in custom and contract growing, with clients that include The Smithsonian Institution, Arlington National Cemetery, and the U.S. Dept. They also stock several varieties of the "bread and butter" greenroof plants.
Heathcote is an intentional community located in Freeland Maryland just 30 mile north of Baltimore City. It sits on 112 acres some of which is in a community land trust the other owned by several community members. All of the houses and communal facilities are renovated farmhouses and old grain mills. Additional houses have been built using straw bale. There are many efforts within the community to use renewable resources and become energy independent. Whether you decide to live at Heathcote or just take part in one of there exciting permaculure classes you can always expect to enjoy and organic/ vegetarian meal(s), some of which is fresh from the garden, music, hiking, lounging in a stream-side hammock or helping out with some of the many natural building projects. Heathcote is a drug-free and smoke-free community and is currently looking for members. To find out more about everyday life at Heathcote one of its members has started a blog called Hippie Chick Diaries . You can also go to their website or take a visit to the farm.
Go for Change and Jana Murrell, Miss Earth US 2008, interviewed Cheryl Wade, Ilya Goldberg and Mick the Pirate at the Mill Valley Garden Center and Farmers Market to get caught up on some exciting developments in local food production and how you can fill up at Baltimore Biodiesel.
Since 1993, the Potomac Conservancy has worked to protect the health, beauty, and enjoyment of the Potomac River and its tributaries. Its primary focus is the protection of the Potomac’s water quality through land protection and sound land use practices. In addition, they work to preserve and restore the Potomac’s scenic landscapes and enhance river-based recreational activities. The Conservancy works with landowners to provide practical conservation options, with services ranging from hiring a contractor to plant trees to referring interested landowners to federal and state conservation programs. Recent and ongoing projects include forest conservation law revisions, enforcement issues with illegal tree cuttings and conservation area violations, and a C&O Canal setback rule and funding. Visit their website to learn more about the Conservancy’s programs, events, and how you can help.
Since 1989, Trees for the Future has been helping communities around the world plant trees, through seed distribution, agroforestry training, and country programs. Focusing on developing countries, they equip rural communities with the knowledge and materials necessary to turn degraded lands and farms into sustainable production. Since their inception a decade ago, they’ve planted around 50 million trees in Central America, Africa, and Asia. For a list of projects, resources, or information on how to get involved, visit their website.
Our bi-monthly e-newsletter has tips and advice to accelerate greening your business. As a special thank-you, you’ll receive access to our special report, “4 Success Secrets of Becoming Green Blooded.” Privacy policy: We promise to never sell, rent, trade or share your e-mail with any other organization.
View the dynamic, moving GOforChange: Greening Baltimore video
