Some Baltimore resources

The ertswhile Nigel calls our attention to this master webpage of Baltimore sustainability resources, from the Urbanite. These ones are particularly interesting to me. Although note that in cities where you have a surplus of land supply, you need resources that help neighborhoods recapture lands as green resources. These days--well, really from 2003-2008, in a city like Washington, such lots get redeveloped with new houses.
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Charm City Land Trusts: This organization was formed to help neighborhoods provide permanent protection for community green spaces. It has partnered with community groups at the Amazing Port Street gardens, the Kensington Community Garden, and Woodland Nguzo Saba, a green space created from vacant lots on the 3300 block of Woodland Avenue in Park Heights.

Civic Works: This nonprofit has a “Community Lot” team that helps community groups plan and install ornamental and other gardens. Civic Works also has a perennial flower and vegetable plant giveaway to community gardeners a couple of times each year.

Community Greening Resource Network: This joint program of the Parks & People Foundation and the Maryland Cooperative Extension Service provides community gardens in Baltimore City with seeds, plants, tools, networking opportunities, and educational workshops.

Be-more Productive Baltimore: The product of an Urbanite Project collaboration, Be-more Productive Baltimore “encourages Baltimore residents to take a second look at community and neighborhood spaces and re-think possibilities for green productivity.” The website includes a downloadable resource guide called The Neighborhood Diagnostic Tool.

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These I already know about:

Baltimore Spokes: This website/ discussion forum provides an endless stream of bike/ transit/ climate-related news and commentary

Neighborhood Design Center: This nonprofit provides pro-bono design and planning services for community-sponsored initiatives. According to the website, “Architects, planners, landscape architects, engineers, and other design professionals … donate their professional services to help groups in the initial stages of neighborhood revitalization efforts.”

One Less Car: This statewide group, based in Baltimore, “advocates for providing safe and effective transportation alternatives for all citizens through education, lobbying, and facilitation between our communities, governments, and state and local representatives.” It also sponsors a “community pace car” program, enlisting citizens to put an official sticker on their bumper—and then follow the speed limit.

Parks & People Foundation : Through the “Revitalizing Baltimore” program, a government-private-nonprofit partnership, Parks & People provides technical assistance for community greening projects, from gardens to street trees. The organization also publishes the Guide to Neighborhood Greening. Their twice-yearly Community Grants program provides small sums for neighborhood greening efforts.

Transit Riders Action Council of Metropolitan Baltimore: Formed in late 2004, TRAC calls itself “the new voice of transit riders in Baltimore … TRAC stands up for riders and fights to build a better system.” Looking to drill into the minute details of bus schedules and new Light Rail proposals? Look no further.