To New Beginnings and Working Together |
Dear Baltimore Office of Sustainability Friends,
Happy New Year. The Office of Sustainability newsletter was started to share information of interest to our community. Each month, we pull together the most interesting themes, stories, and opportunities that we can find. This month, we think it is important to share some of the words of Mayor Brandon M. Scott from January 6th, on the events in Washington, D.C., about the connections to racial equity that also underlie and drive our work:
"What we’re seeing on Capitol Hill today is an attack on our democracy. Donald Trump’s policies, actions, and inactions have terrorized Black and Brown people across this country over the last four years. He has consistently stoked his base to act in hate. This behavior is not surprising to me, nor should it be for anyone. But let us not be desensitized.
This is what white supremacy looks like."
See the full text of the press release here. The Baltimore Office of Sustainability strongly believes that it is more imperative than ever to work towards dismantling systems of injustice for a more sustainable future. We are at a moment where we are poised to repair, regenerate, heal, and mend the fabric of our community. Let's do the work together.
In strength and solidarity,
Baltimore Office of Sustainability Staff
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Sandra McKenzie, Parishioner and Volunteer at God is King Center in Southwest Baltimore.
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Sandra McKenzie - God is King Center |
When Sandra McKenzie's church, God is King Center, first moved to Southwest Baltimore, she did what she always did and volunteered. At first, she just brought snacks, but soon, she and others in the congregation were preparing and serving meals to their new community on Sundays as well as organizing clothing and food drives.
In March, despite having to close for in-person services, the church continued to distribute home-cooked meals and other essential items outside the building, quickly going from serving dozens to serving hundreds of people each week. While it was a challenge at first, the work soon became second nature.
"And that’s when I realized, wait a minute, I am in love. Not just with this guy, but with the whole community. So it’s not a challenge anymore, because I’m feeding my family. That’s what it feels like. That’s how we see the Baltimore community."
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You don’t have to be a climate scientist or city planner to help improve the sustainability and resilience of Baltimore. Everyone has a story to tell about making Baltimore a stronger, fairer, and safer place for all of us. We’ve been collecting stories on our website, and we invite you to share yours with us by posting on social media with the hashtag #EveryStoryCounts and/or by emailing us.
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Farewell to Sustainability Coordinator Anne Draddy |
Best wishes to Anne Draddy, our Sustainability Coordinator! Anne has decided to resign from the Office of Sustainability after many years in public service and will finish up her work at the end of January. We are going to miss her and all that she has contributed to making Baltimore a more sustainable and equitable city.
Thank you, Anne, for protecting the trees, for reducing waste, for supporting local makers, and for crafting such an important vision of sustainability and equity in the 2019 Sustainability Plan - and for doing so with such passion and dedication. We know you are not yet done having a positive impact, and we're looking forward to finding out what you're up to next.
You can still email her (anne.draddy@baltimorecity.gov) to say farewell, thank her for her accomplishments, or ask questions about her plans for the future.
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Anne Draddy, Sustainability Coordinator, holding up "I commit" signs at the 2019 Sustainability Open House. |
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Bag Ban Implementation Postponed |
The Ordinance, commonly known as Baltimore’s Plastic Bag Ban, was originally slated for implementation on January 13th, 2021. The executive order suspends the date of implementation until July 9th, 2021, with the possibility of extension. This will ban single-use plastic bags at the point of sale, pickup, or delivery. Baltimore businesses must charge at least $0.05 for each alternative bag distributed at check out, of which $0.01 will be remitted to the city. We encourage businesses and residents to visit our website for additional information.
Now is a great time to start stocking up on reusable bags and helping spread the word!
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Sustainability Highlights |
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Clockwise from top left: Speakers Wellington Ashe, Farmer Chippy, Morgan Elliott, and host Albert Phillips |
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City Schools' Green Careers Panel |
T he College and Career Readiness Office at Baltimore City Public Schools led a Green Careers event on December 11 as part of its new Career and Technology Education Fridays series. The panel was moderated by one of our interns, Antonio, a junior at Reginald F. Lewis High School, and included speakers Wellington Ashe of Civic Works' Center for Sustainable Careers, Farmer Chippy of Plantation Park Heights, and Morgan Elliott of the Branches program at Parks & People Foundation.
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Prevent Utility Shut-Offs this Winter |
Swapping out light bulbs, lowering the thermostat, and unplugging appliances may lower bills, but won’t stop a utility shut-off if the bill is still unaffordable. Winter is a terrible time to experience shut-offs, so residents facing this should seek help as soon as possible. For advice and financial assistance programs, residents can apply to the Maryland Department of Human Resources online or call 1-800-332-6347. The call center has extended their hours to Monday-Friday 8am-8pm and Saturday 9am-4pm.
Those who need legal help with BGE or water bills can also seek a consultation with an advocate. The Office of the People’s Council, Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service, and the Pro Bono Resource Center are hosting virtual clinics on a rolling basis. To reserve a spot, call 443-703-3052.
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Books + Articles our Staff are Reading |
"Coronavirus will not kill the office. If anything, it figures to be more dynamic than ever. The ability to work remotely will not drive most people away from cities and offices, but it will enable many to live and work in new ways and places — while causing its fair share of disruption."
The book focuses on the fact that in the United States, black people have significantly less wealth than whites across every socioeconomic level. The book delves into the deep and growing fault line between black and white and how this wealth gap is where historic injustice breeds present suffering. Check out the link for a PBS video of the author herself explaining the context for her book.
What in the world is a Fish Owl?! Why - an owl as large as an eagle that lives in the wild forests of NE Asia of course! Selected to be on the long list for the 2020 National Book Awards, this fascinating book follows the author's evolution from a birdwatcher to a scientist during a chance encounter with one of the world's most mysterious birds, the Blakiston’s Fish Owl. Check out the link for a brief YouTube video description of the book.
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Did you know that you can recycle your Christmas Tree? The Baltimore City Department of Public Works is offering free tree mulching services from January 2nd-February 6th!
Residents must bring their trees to the Northwest Citizens’ Convenience Center (2840 Sisson St) between 9 am and 5 pm, Monday through Saturday. Make sure you take off all ornaments and decorations prior to mulching! You should also bring your own containers to collect mulch and use it on your trees and plants at home.
If you can't recycle your tree for mulching, DPW will also offer curbside tree collection from January 2nd-February 6th. Just set out your tree on your regularly scheduled trash collection day along with your trash. And again, don't forget to remove all of your ornaments!
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We Love Feedback
Tell us what you want to hear! Do you have ideas on newsletter content? Or would you like to nominate an organization or person to be featured? Email us at sustainability@baltimorecity.gov.
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Our Mission
The Office of Sustainability develops and advocates for programs and policies that improve Baltimore's long-term environmental, social, and economic viability.
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417 E Fayette St, 8th Floor
Baltimore, MD 21202
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Editor-in-Chief: Aubrey Germ, Climate and Resilience Planner
Newsletter Contributors: Bruna Attila, Coastal Resources Planner + Acting Floodplain Manager; Abby Cocke, Environmental Planner; Anne Draddy, Sustainability Coordinator; Amy Gilder-Busatti, Environmental Planner; Kimberly Knox, Green Network Coordinator; Lisa McNeilly, Sustainability Director; Anika Richter, Youth Sustainability Coordinator
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