Metropolis Baltimore Greening and Cleaning Effort

The Harris Creek Watershed (246) Stormwater Project
Humanity Initiative
Creating Community through Horticulture and Gathering Spaces

The Baltimore Harbor Watershed Association (BHWA) has taken on a Stormwater Project in the Harris Creek Watershed. This encompases 1270 acres and extends from Clifton Park to the Harris Creek Outflow in Canton (2700 block Boston St). It's purpose is to significantly reduce Trash and Pollution from going into the Baltimore Harbor. It plans to do this through Community Education and Implementing Best Management Practices for Stormwater Management. We know that currently there is 3-5 tons of Trash being deposited in the Harbor each month. To be successful,it is necessary not only to educate but to have the Stormwater Plan accepted by the 20 Communities in the 246 Watershed. The concerns of the Community Stakeholders need to be addressed as well. The Plan is to understand not only the Stormwater Plans but how best to Improve the Neighborhoods and Help in the Stregthening of these Communities.

The Approach we are taking is to Partner with other Community minded Groups by focusing on the Greener,Cleaner Efforts. The Humanity Initiative is derived from the recently held Conference entitled "Humana Metropolis Baltimore" sponsored by the Maryland Historical Society and the Parks and People Foundation and places emphasis on "Green,Healthy,Neighborly,Safe,Equitable and Efficient" in an effort to connect the Green Spaces throughout Baltimore City and bring more people out of their houses and enjoy Life. Lenneal Henderson felt that three other features should be added,namely "creative,communicative and artistic". Scot Spencer from the Anne Casey Foundation thought that "diversity concerns" should also be added. The Sum of adding these is to put into place a collective effort to connect green parks,community gardens and markets in hope of improving the Quality of Life in these Communities.

Equation for accomplishing this.

Greening Efforts Gathering Spaces Expanding the Effort Value Added Aspect

Community Gardens Enlive with Education Include more people
Parks and Entertainment Create New Programs
Converting vacant lots,
alleys,asphalt playgrounds

The First Meeting on collecting the inventory in Watershed 246 took place Sept 1,2009 and Assets will be reported in the next e-blog. Raymond Bahr MD BHWA