UMBC
AN HONORS UNIVERSITY IN MARYLAND

CUERE
Center for Urban Environmental Research and Education
University of Maryland, Baltimore County
1000 Hilltop Circle 21250
Phone: 410-455-1761
Fax: 410-455-1769
E-mail: jra@umbc.ecu
http://www.umbc.edu/cuere

August 22, 2002

Dear Resident,

This summer, the Center for Urban Environmental Research and Education at University of Maryland, Baltimore County and the United States Forest Service initiated the Neighborhood Ecosystem Project around Cub Hill. As you well know, we took soil samples from your lawn and garden beds, and we determined plant populations. We would like to take this time to thank you for help and participation. You were very patient and accommodating to our field crews and we greatly appreciate it.

The information gathered this summer will be used to help us determine plant survival, soil fertility, water drainage and other important soil characteristics. Several residents requested the results of these soil samples to help improve lawns, landscaping and the general management of their property. We are in the time-consuming process of analyzing the samples to get you the results.

This ongoing project is studying the interaction of human management and structures with soil, vegetation, animals, air and streams. The information collected will be used for public policy decisions, education and improvement of the urban environment. We would like to discover how our urban environment changes over time and how the surrounding environment affects the quality of our lives.

We are excited about the project at Cub Hill and very much appreciate your help and participation. You are likely to see us in the coming months and years as we continue to monitor air, stream and soil quality, plant growth and development. If you have any questions about the neighborhood study or the results of the soil investigation please call Jonathan Russell-Anelli at (410) 455-1761. The information that we are collecting will help us to better understand and improve Baltimore’s urban environment. We look forward to talking with you.

Thank you,

Jonathan Russell-Anelli
Field Supervisor