
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.
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