vacant lots Archives - Urban Waters Learning Network

Science You Can Use: Baltimore’s Urban Waters Actionable Science Flood Team

May 16, 2023

With issues like vacant lots and urban flooding, the Patapsco Watershed/Baltimore Region Urban Waters Federal Partnership is working with a variety of stakeholders to create solutions through actionable science—or “science you can use”—in the Baltimore region watersheds. Significant strides in greening vacant lots have brought more opportunities and resources to the community; and by prioritizing cross-discipline and cross-jurisdictional partnerships, the Baltimore Actionable Science Flood Team is moving forward work on building community resilience to future flood impacts in the region.

Renew the Blue River

August 24, 2020

Blue River (MO) Urban Waters Federal Partnership Since 2011, the EPA Urban Waters Federal Partnership program has expanded to 20 different locations nationwide. In June 2013, the Blue River in Kansas City, MO became a federal partnership location, setting out … Continued

Turning Vacant Lots into Green Spaces: Baltimore’s Experience and Replicable Tools

February 1, 2016

Recorded webinar presenting Baltimore’s Green Pattern Book, a tool created as part of the city’s Growing Green Initiative to help guide the greening of vacant land by city agencies, nonprofit organizations and individual residents.

Green Pattern Book Baltimore USDA

October 12, 2015

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Addressing Baltimore’s Vacant Land Problem

August 1, 2015

Baltimore, Maryland, home to over 30,000 vacant and abandoned lots and numerous economically disadvantaged neighborhoods, is also home to some of the most innovative job creation strategies and vacant lot reclamation projects in the nation.

Vacant Lots to Greenways in Kansas City

July 15, 2015

Heartland Conservation Alliance (HCA) was created as an alliance of diverse partners who share a vision and work collectively to conserve natural areas, connect people to nature and convene partners. Their mission is creating multiple benefits for people by focusing on projects that save Kansas City’s valuable natural resources and give them back to benefit the community—“ecological democracy.”

Greenways: The Urban Waters Experience

February 10, 2015

Recorded webinar presenting 3 successful efforts to convert brownfields and vacant city lots into parks, green spaces and greenways.

Cleveland Botanical Garden Transforms Vacant Property Using Green Methods to Reduce Runoff

April 8, 2014 | Cleveland, OH

The Garden is a nonprofit organization whose mission is “to spark a passion for plants and cultivate an understanding of their vital relationship to people and the environment.” Their commitment extends beyond the gardens and into the community through various projects and programs that work to engage people in learning about the importance of a healthy environment.