Research Guides: Sustainability Resources: Local Organizations and Volunteer Opportunities

Local Organizations & Volunteer Opportunities

Baltimore is home to many sustainability-focused local organizations with volunteer opportunities. You can find a list of organizations in Baltimore City and across Maryland at Maryland's Department of the Environment. Below you can find a list of just some of the many organizations striving to promote sustainability across the city.

Baltimore Tree Trust
Baltimore's largest city-wide tree planting organization
City Weeds
"A trauma-informed food business that strives to eliminate food deserts and improve the health, wellness, and independence of Baltimore City residents through the growing and selling of microgreens and cold-pressed juices."
SCRAP Creative Reuse
Donation-based creative reuse store and donation center
Baltimore Green Space
Land conservation trust that stewards 62 acres of parkland, including primarily community gardens, pocket parks, and small urban forest patches.
Plantation Park Heights Urban Farm
10-acre urban farm on Park Heights Avenue between Pimlico Racetrack and Druid Hills Park. Programming focuses on food security, community engagement, and nutritional education.
Baltimore Compost Collective
Local composting service that collects food scraps from residences in Baltimore neighborhoods and composts the material at the Filbert Street Community Garden in Curtis Bay, where it is used to grow fresh produce and build urban food security.
Gunpowder Valley Conservancy
Land trust and watershed conservation organization that works to protect the Gunpowder watershed, which includes reservoirs that provide most of the Baltimore area's drinking water.
Defensores de La Cuenca
"Defensores de la Cuenca (Watershed Defenders) is a Latino-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit that connects Latin@s and Spanishspeakers to nature through shared experiences and opportunities to preserve and defend the Chesapeake Bay watershed for a healthier mind, body, and soul."
Govans Urban Forest (GUF)
The Govans Urban Forest is located on an approximately one-half acre lot in the 5200 block of York Road.
Blue Water Baltimore
Blue Water Baltimore’s mission is to restore the quality of Baltimore’s rivers, streams and Harbor to foster a healthy environment, a strong economy and thriving communities.

Baltimore Sustainability Plan

Housed in the Baltimore Office of Sustainability, the Baltimore Commission on Sustainability is a 21-member body with 20 members appointed by the Mayor and one city council representative appointed by the City Council President. The Office tracks Baltimore's progress towards the 2019 Baltimore Sustainability Plan and collaborates with local organizations and government agencies to promote sustainability.