E.P.A. Grant Will Stimulate Urban Gardening on Baltimore Vacant Lots

BALTIMORE (April 18, 2016) - The E.P.A. today announced a $22,000 environmental justice grant to the Parks and People Foundation in Baltimore to help educate residents about safe ways to create urban gardens on vacant properties throughout the city.

The backing from EPA's Environmental Justice Small Grants Plan includes money that has already been spent to train twelve high school students how to collect soil samples from vacant lots that are designated for urban gardens for edible produce. The students will also set up workshops and conduct hands-on training to residents at various locations.

"This backing will help support ongoing efforts throughout the city of Baltimore to transform vacant properties into productive and sustainable gardens that grow fresh produce," said E.P.A. Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Shawn M. Garvin. "EPA's Environmental Justice Small Grants support activities that not only address community concerns, but also educate and empower our youth, the current generation of environmental stewards."

The plan initiated by Parks and Produce aims to educate in excess of 2,000 city residents about the importance of soil and the preventive and precautionary measures of dealing with soil contaminants. Backing also will be used to set up 4 to 6 vacant lot demonstration sites to conduct hands-on training in strategies for building productive soil beds.

Furthermore, the Baltimore plan looks for to mitigate the impacts of climate change by increasing the area of "green" spaces that will help reduce stormwater runoff.

For more information on EPA's Environmental Justice Small Grants, visit: https://www3.epa.gov/environmentaljustice/grants/ej-smgrants.html.

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