Say hello to Angelica Brooks! Angelica interned with the Office of Sustainability while she was in high school as part of our Youth Sustainability Leadership program, and is currently a sophomore at JHU, majoring in Environmental Studies with a strong interest as well in Africana Studies. This summer, she joined the JHU Community Impact Internship Program and was partnered with the Farm Alliance of Baltimore, a non-profit membership network for local urban agriculture projects. She networked, farmed, learned about land access issues, sat in on membership meetings, and worked on ways to help support the farmers and make sure they're represented in advocacy and getting the resources they need. Her internship is continuing throughout the school year and she is currently focusing on a project to uplift the stories of urban farmers to the Baltimore public. If you'd like to work with Angelica, you can email her at [email protected].

Amy Gilder-Busatti has been promoted to the position of Sustainability Manager with the Office of Sustainability. Amy has been part of the office since 2010, most recently serving as an Environmental Planner managing the City's Forest Conservation program. She has served in a variety of capacities with the office, including writing the Baltimore City Landscape Manual, managing the City’s Critical Area program, serving as the project manager for the Baltimore Green Network Plan, and leading sustainability data tracking and reporting efforts. She holds a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture degree from Ball State University, and a Master in City and Regional Planning degree from Morgan State University. As the Sustainability Manager, some of her responsibilities will include leading the implementation of the Baltimore Sustainability Plan, supporting the Sustainability Commission, and continuing to lead sustainability data tracking and reporting.

Applications are now open for two paid Youth Sustainability Leadership internship slots for the 2022-2023 school year. The pay is $15/hr for 5hrs/week and runs from November 2022 to June 2023. Find the position description and how to apply here. Applications are due by midnight on Monday, October 31, 2022. Promoting youth leadership on environmental issues is a big part of the Office of Sustainability’s work. Students of all ages and from all corners of the city are encouraged to join our work! We hold annual events, including rallies, summits, workshops, and service days. Stay up to date on Instagram at @bmorebeyondplastic. Please send any questions and applications to [email protected].

The Baltimore Office of Sustainability is looking for someone to fill the new Climate and Resilience Program Manager (CRPM) position. We are looking for a passionate leader to catalyze climate actions across Baltimore. The CRPM will oversee the implementation of the citywide Climate Action Plan (CAP) and drive forward hazard mitigation planning, climate mitigation, and climate adaptation efforts. This role will also lead, advise, and support staff as well as climate-focused working groups (covering such topics as buildings, climate, heat, flooding/infrastructure transportation, and waste) under the administration’s Sustainability & Resiliency Subcabinet. The CRPM will execute strategies to further energy conservation efforts, renewable energy adoption, and access to environmental amenities for climate-vulnerable communities in collaboration with city agency staff. All applications must be submitted through the city's Government Job Portal. The application will close on Sunday, November 6th. Please contact Ava Richardson, Sustainability Director, with any questions.

How to Revitalize a Neighborhood Without Gentrification -- TED Talks

Listen to this TED Talk by Baltimore local Bree Jones, the founder of Parity. "Parity equitable development company is building social movements to revitalize neighborhoods experiencing hyper-vacancy and abandonment. Jones is contributing to the growth of undervalued neighborhoods through a community ownership model aimed at healing place-based trauma."

Chief Heat Officers Face Rising Temperatures - and Expectations -- Bloomberg

"The first-ever gathering of chief heat officers from cities around the globe brought civic leaders from countries as diverse as Chile, Greece and Sierra Leone to Washington, D.C., recently. The all-female group of urban policymakers shared the challenging role of adapting to the harsh realities of climate change today."

Black Wealth Data Center -- Blackwealthdata.org

The Black Wealth Data Center is building a comprehensive repository for Black wealth data. Their Racial Wealth Equity Database aims to empower decision-makers with reliable data, raise the national standard for data collection and accessibility, and help leaders understand where and how to invest to disrupt systemic inequities.

Every Halloween, roughly 1 billion pounds of pumpkins are tossed. Make a change and ensure that yours does not go to the landfill! The internet is full of ideas for how to handle these fall leftovers. If your pumpkin hasn't started to rot, you could donate it to a local farm or animal sanctuary for the animals to enjoy. Whispering Rise Animal Sanctuary, which participates in Pumpkins for Pigs, is a bit of a drive from Baltimore but offers a tour to visit with their pigs in addition to pumpkin drop-offs! Seeds from inside the pumpkin can also be collected and allowed to dry for a day or two before being left out for birds and wildlife to enjoy. Any scraps or pumpkins that have started to rot can be composted as organic material breaks down most efficiently outside of landfills. You might even get some pumpkins next summer from a stray seed that decides to germinate! And remember, most pumpkins are edible. For more ideas on sustainable ways to dispose of your pumpkin, visit this site.