Urban Resources Initiative

The Urban Resources Initiative (URI) is an innovative applied research program that engages the strengths and resources of higher education to assist underserved urban communities in finding practical, community-based solutions to urban parks and natural resource management issues in Baltimore. Take a look at current URI projects.

Environmental Education
We are working with other non-profits and the Baltimore Ecosystem Study to assist with student ecological education to provide meaningful Chesapeake Bay experiences and woodland field trips for urban youth. Contact Mary Hardcastle or Mary Washington to learn about our afterschool programs and professional development that increase environmental literacy in grades K-12.

Baltimore Ecosystem Study
Through URI, Parks & People is a partner in the Baltimore Ecosystem Study (BES), a National Science Foundation funded study of Baltimore as an urban ecosystem. BES focuses on interactions between people - our actions, ideas and institutions - and the urban ecosystem in the metropolitan area. BES is one of 24 sites in the Long-Term Ecological Research Network, and one of only two urban ecological research sites. BES research addresses three central questions: 1) how Baltimore's ecosystem is changing over time; 2) how the structure of the natural and built environments affects ecological processes; and 3) how Baltimore residents can improve their daily lives through understanding that the city itself is an ecosystem.

URI Internship Program
URI's internship program works with high school, college and graduate student interns to initiate innovative pilot projects and conduct research to support restoration of Baltimore's urban parks, natural resources, and neighborhoods. During the summer, interns work on projects that include research and development, education and training, and community building with local government agencies including the Baltimore City Department of Recreation and Parks, non-profits and community organizations. These projects help to broaden their understanding of urban natural resource and neighborhood revitalization issues, and the link between classroom learning and career development. URI interns have a strong record of serving Baltimore, enhancing urban parks and natural resources and achieving academic and professional success.