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

May 23, 2002

Dear Resident,

This summer, the Center for Urban Environmental Research and Education at University of Maryland, Baltimore County (CUERE-UMBC) and the United States Forest Service is initiating the Neighborhood Ecosystem Project around Cub Hill. The project will study soil, vegetation, air and streams. The information that we collect 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, how humans affect soil, vegetation, air and stream conditions and how the quality of our lives is affected by the surrounding environment. As part of this project, the US Forest Service in cooperation with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and the Baltimore Ecosystem Study has established an air quality station at Cub Hill.

This summer we will visit your neighborhood to assess plant populations, map soils, monitor air quality and sample stream and ground water quality. We will also be installing a stream gauging station that will monitor water flow. The types of vegetation measurements being made are non-intrusive and include such items as tree species, tree height and tree diameter. Soil measurements will include organic matter, acidity, texture and density. The soil information that we are collecting helps us determine plant survival, soil fertility, water drainage and other important soil characteristics. Air quality sampling will include atmospheric gases from natural and human sources. Stream measurements will examine stream fauna, pathogens and nutrients. To do this we will call and visit you during the summer to describe the sampling procedures and ask permission to collect soil samples. We also will share the results of the vegetation, soil, air and water investigation with you.

We are excited about the Baltimore urban forest project and invite and appreciate your participation. If you have any questions about the urban forest 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 this summer.

Sincerely,
Jonathan Russell-Anelli
Field Supervisor