MNPS Field Trip: West Baltimore Wildflower Project- Vacant Lots to Green Spaces

Sponsoring Organization: Maryland Native Plant Society

We will be touring vacant lot sites that are being used as part of the West Baltimore Wildflower Project, a collaborative project with the goal of transforming unused vacant lots into low-maintenance, attractive green spaces that bring natural beauty into urban neighborhoods and positively impact the environment.

Vacant lots in this area have been planted with seed mixes of primarily native wildflowers and warm-season bunch grasses. We will only visit lots within a block or so of this location, but tour members will be given maps of all the locations in case they want to go on their own to see other sites. We will discuss what grows in these environments without direct human intervention as well as what we are attempting to alter through our treatments as part of the newly begun West Baltimore Wildflower Project. We will also discuss, more generally, the use of vacant lots and other urban brownfields as habitat restoration and conservation areas for native plants, and the process we have gone through to establish this project. Anna’s graduate advisor, Dr. Christopher Swan, will likely also be in attendance.

Leader:  Anna Johnson, PhD Candidate, UMBC, and MNPS 2013 grant recipient

ONLINE REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Limited to 20. First week of registrations, through June 25, is limited to members only.

Notes: Easy walking.

Bring: Water, sunscreen.  Wear closed-toe shoes and long pants.

Cancellation Policy: Walk may go in light drizzle. Cancelled if raining.  Contact Anna if unsure.

Contact: (for additional information; not to register)  Anna Johnson: annaj1@umbc.edu, 717-321-4945

Directions: Will be sent in confirmation email.