In celebration of Earth Day, the Jones Falls Watershed Association in partnership with Tree Baltimore, Volunteer Maryland, Greater Homewood Community Corporation and the students and teachers of the Barclay School will host a tree planting on Thursday, April 22, from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at the Barclay School.
The group will be planting more than 22 new trees on the grounds of the school to enhance an ongoing school yard greening project. Volunteers are making a difference by cleaning up the environment, building an environmental stewardship ethic among students, and strengthening community ties between the school community and neighborhood residents.
This partnership project is a result of a broad public/private effort, with each organization and agency playing a role to make this and other greening initiatives happen. This was a site where the Maryland Port Administration removed blacktop to hard surfaces that contributed to pollution to streams like the Jones Falls, and replanted grass. The Parks and People Foundation previously installed raised vegetable gardens and planted trees. The school has an active greening committee made up of faculty, students, neighbors and staff support from the Greater Homewood VISTA program.
Project funds have been provided by Tree Baltimore, The Chesapeake Bay Trust and Constellation Energy.
About the Partners
The Jones Falls Watershed Association works to protect and restore the health and beauty of the Jones Falls Watershed through restoration, monitoring, advocacy, and citizen awareness. More information can be found on www.jonesfalls.org or by calling 410.366.3037.
TreeBaltimore is part of the Mayor's Greener Baltimore initiative that seeks to double Baltimore's tree canopy from 20 to 40 percent within 30 years. With this initiative, Baltimore joins the ranks of cities across the country that are aggressively working toward building a sustainable urban forest. For more information on TreeBaltimore, visit www.baltimorecity.gov/government/recnparks.
The Greater Homewood Community Corporation (GHCC) set a goal of planting at least 40 trees in each of 40 neighborhoods in north central Baltimore, for a total of 1,600 trees in honor of their 40th anniversary. GHCC will plant in city parks, on school grounds, on private property, and along neighborhood streets with the help of residents, community organizations, schools, and businesses. Since 1969, GHCC has been rooted in strengthening neighborhoods, and is committed to the growth of a cleaner and greener future. For more information, visit GHCC's website.
Image courtesy of GHCC.