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

Sponsoring Organization: Maryland Native Plant Society

For the second year in a row, we will tour vacant lot sites that are part of the West Baltimore Wildflower Project. This is the second year of this collaborative project, whose goal is to transform 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 discuss what grows in these environments without direct human intervention as well as what we are attempting to alter through our treatments. We will also discuss the process to establish this project, the progress made, and more generally, the use of vacant lots and other urban brownfields as habitat restoration and conservation areas for native plants.

You can see photos of the Harlem Park neighborhood, at baltimoresnapshot.smugmug.com.

Leader: Anna Johnson PhD, Univ Md-Baltimore Co, and MNPS 2013 grant recipient

ONLINE REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Limited to 25. Registration through July 22 is limited to members only.

Notes: Easy walking.

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

Cancellation Policy: Rain or shine, except in case of severe storms. Cancellation (if any) will posted on this website by 8:00 AM.

Contact: (for additional information; not to register)  Anna Johnson: annaj1@umbc.edu.

Directions: Will be sent in confirmation email.