Greater Baltimore Wilderness Coalition

The Greater Baltimore Wilderness Coalition is a network of federal, state and local government, non-profit, and academic partners dedicated to protecting and restoring nature throughout Central Maryland. Our collective efforts are propelled by five priority issues of concern:

1. Equity - Our partners seek to equitably connect all the region’s increasingly urbanized population with nature.

2. Discovery - In our increasingly urbanized technologically-driven world, environmental and outdoor exploration for all age groups is more important than ever. We must direct the attention of present and up-and-coming generations to the richness and value of the natural world so that we will collectively do better as its stewards.

3. Resilience - In this rapidly developing region, wildlife habitat is continually fragmented or lost due to development. Identifying, protecting, and maintaining valuable natural areas, such as forests, wetlands, vernal pools, and coastal environments provides access to food and shelter for wildlife, corridors for migration, and provide and protects vulnerable, often at risk species.

4. Resilience - To improve the region’s capacity to achieve lasting economic vitality, Greater Baltimore Wilderness Coalition's partners seek to mitigate impacts of climate change including sea level rise, flooding, stronger coastal storms, warmer temperatures, and drought through a protected regional green infrastructure network of forests, wetlands, parks, rain gardens, and urban tree canopy . This network will absorb rainfall, store water, reduce flooding, and provide additional community benefits, such as cleaner air, space for recreation, and relief from urban heat.

5. Health - Research is revealing the direct benefits nature provides for our physical, mental, and emotional health. We strive to improve public health outcomes by working with the public/environmental health community to increase access to nature and promote it's numerous benefits.