BES Winter Quarterly Meeting (Virtual) - Tracking Tree Planting Initiatives
2024-01-16 08:30 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | REMOTE ACCESS ONLY
Winter Quarterly Meeting of the Baltimore Ecosystem Study
The Cycle of Life: What can we learn from urban forest management and new tree planting investments?
Tuesday, January 16, 2024
DOWNLOAD Agenda PDF or scroll down to read.
DOWNLOAD Presentation Slides.
VIEW/DOWNLOAD Chat Transcript.
Watch a recording of the meeting below:
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Agenda
8:30 – Coffee and Conversation
9:00 – Welcome, Introductions, and Announcements
9:05 – “Why are trees in cities important to you? What’s your favorite thing to do?”
9:20 – Opening remarks and context
– Anne Hairston-Strang, State Forester, Maryland Department of Natural Resources

Theme 1: Urban forest management
9:25 – Presentation 1
– Ashley Bowers, Baltimore City Division of Forestry, Department of Recreation and Parks
– Management Plans and Forest Stewardship
9:35 – Presentation 2
– Katie Lautar and Eric Fishel, Baltimore Green Space
– Communities and Forests
9:45 – Presentation 3
– Rachel Whiteheart & Amy Gilder-Busatti, Baltimore City Office of Sustainability, Department of Planning
– Forest Conservation Act
9:55 – Questions
10:10 – Break

Theme 2: Tree Planting and Maintenance
10:25 – Presentation 1
– Justin Bowers, Maryland Department of Natural Resources
– 5 million trees+
10:35 – Presentation 2
– Emily Morrow, Maryland Department of Natural Resources
– Green Jobs and Workforce Development: State and Baltimore City
10:45 – Presentation 3
– Shaun Preston, Camp Small, Baltimore City Division of Forestry, Department of Recreation and Parks
– Urban Wood Utilization
10:55 – Questions
11:05 – Breakout groups:

Policy, programmatic, and research questions and science needs
Data, tracking, and reporting: existing and needed
What education and outreach would you like to see?
Are there examples at local, state, and regional scales to build upon?

11:35 – Report back/group discussion
12:00 – Adjourn to lunch to keep talking about this!
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Community-Based Science Event
What is the connection between crime and trees?
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity
2003 Presbury St, Baltimore, MD 21217
Agenda
4:30 – Coffee and Conversation
5:00 – Welcome, Introductions, and Announcements
– Pi Omega Chapter
– Baltimore Ecosystem Study
– State Forester
– State’s Attorney
5:20 – Presentation 1
– Terris King II, Temple X Schools & UMBC Baltimore 1815

Engagement 1: Easterwood Community Nature Walk
5:40 – Presentation 2
– Walk from 2003 Presbury to 1530 N. Bentalou St.
– Alex Smith, Division Street Landscaping

Engagement 2: Tour Omega Baltimore
6:15 – Presentation 3
– Lenwood Hayman, Forest Service,
7:00 – MARISA Grant/Keystone Project Presentation, BSEC, SERC
8:00 – Adjourn to keep talking about this!

BES Summer Quarterly Meeting - Urban Heat
2024-06-13 13:00 - 17:00 | UMBC Techology Research Center, 5200 Westland Blvd., Room 206, Arbutus, Maryland, 21227, United States
BES Summer Quarterly Meeting, June 13th on Urban Heat
UMBC Technology Research Center, 5200 Westland Blvd., Arbutus, Maryland 21227
Click HERE to download the agenda or see below.
Click HERE to download presentation slides.
Watch a recording of the meeting:
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1 pm – 1:15 Welcome and Brief Introductions
1:15-2:15 Patterns of Heat and Cooling in Cities, Moderator: Meghan Avolio (Johns Hopkins University)
1:15- Dexter Locke (US Forest Service) The when, where, and how of urban tree cooling in cities
1:22- Matt Baker (University of Maryland Baltimore County) Title TBD
1:37- Dexter Locke (US Forest Service) Do trees cool the same at all times of day? Temporal non-stationarity in urban environments from bike-based air temperature monitoring in New Haven, CT.
1:45- Mike Alonzo (American University) The canopy-cooling relationship is very sensitive to tree canopy data quality and spatial modeling choices.
2:00- Darryn Waugh (Johns Hopkins University) The Baltimore Social Environmental Collaborative (BSEC) weather station network: Spatial variations in temperature and humidity.

2:15-2:45 Panel and Group Discussions
Guiding question: What are the pressing research questions on heat patterns in Baltimore?
2:45-3:00 pm Break
3:00-4:00 pm Human Health Effects and Heat Mitigation, Moderator: Karin Burghardt (University of Maryland College Park)
3:00- Luke Smith (Pennsylvania University) Association of Summer Heat Waves and the Probability of Preterm Birth: An Exploration of the Intersection of Race and Education
3:15- Jake Miter (Baltimore City Fire Department) Exploring the Relationship Between Urban Tree Canopy & EMS Call Volume
3:30- Elie Bou-Zeid (Princeton University), REMOTE Beyond Cool and Green: Novel Technologies for Mitigating Urban Heat Islands
3:45- Ali Eyni (Johns Hopkins University) Urban Adaptation and Heat Related Mortality: Providing Policies for Future

4:00-4:30 Panel and Group Discussion
Guiding question: What needs to be done to better facilitate research on heat mitigation and health in Baltimore?
4:30-5:00 Break and relocating to an evening event (20-minute drive)

——————–The Event continues for the Part II evening portion—————–

5:30 pm – 8:00 pm Keystone Project Presents: Community-Based Science Engagement
Maryland Urban Ecological Laboratory, 3639 Liberty Heights Ave; Baltimore, MD 21215

2024 BES Annual Science Meeting
2024-10-17 08:30 - 17:00 | Stillmeadow Community Fellowship, 5110 Frederick Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland, 21229
The 2024 BES Annual Science Meeting has been scheduled for:
Thursday, October 17th
8:30AM to 5PM.
Location: Stillmeadow Community Fellowship
Attend remotely: CLICK HERE
Webex info:
ID: 28676471446, password: [REDACTED]
Phone : +1 202-860-2110
Access Code: [REDACTED]
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER TO ATTEND
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD AGENDA or scroll below
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD ABSTRACTS

Important Info:
The BES Annual meeting brings together researchers, practitioners, and students from the Baltimore community and beyond who are interested in Baltimore as a social-ecological system and its sustainability, equity, resilience. The meeting will occur on Thursday October 17 from 8:30 to 5:00.
There is no charge to attend. There is ample parking on site.
The meeting consists of a keynote address; presentations and a poster session on current research findings, science applications, and science-based practitioner projects from Baltimore; and opportunities for questions and answers. Presentations will be 15 minutes and organized into sessions with breaks. Posters can be up to 36” x 48” in size.
Important Dates:
Registration is open through the day of the meeting
September 19th Presentation or poster proposals submissions due
October 17 Meeting from 8:30 am – 5pm

Agenda
8:30 Coffee and Conversation
9:00 Welcome, Introductions, and Announcements
9:10 Opening remarks and context: Pastor Michael

Theme 1: Science Education and Outreach
9:30 Terris King II, The Baltimore Forest School Framework
InDiGO: Inward Discovery Grows Outdoors

9:45 Alan Berkowitz, Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies. Co-Authors: Garner, K., Hood, A., Covitt, B., Grooms, J., Draney, K., Mitzel, E., Browning, L., Fischer, D., Caires, A., Mehta, S., Bean, J.
Our Evolving Partnership to Advance Earth, Science Across Baltimore City Public Schools’ Biology, Chemistry, and Physics Courses

10:00 Michele Romonlini, Loyola Marymount University Center for Urban Resilience. Co-Authors: McPherson, J.
Art-Based Engagement as a Tool for Community-Based Urban Forestry Research

10:15 Questions/General Discussion
10:30 Break

Theme 2: Water Quantity and Quality
10:45 Peter Groffman, City University of New York. Co-authors: Welty, C.
Dissolved gasses in streams provide insight into urban watershed function

11:00 Jaleel Shujath, University of the District of Columbia. Co-Authors: Behera, P.
Analysis of Extreme Storm Events in Baltimore

11:15 Zach Clifton, US Geological Survey. Co-Authors: Foss, E., Majcher, E., Psoras, A., Mejia, S., Chase, J.
Contaminated stormwater sediment source tracking for polychlorinated biphenyls within the Back River Watershed, 2022-2023

11:30 Ally Kido, University of Maryland, Baltimore County and Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology. Co-Authors: Mansfield, N., Schott, E.
Using a Native Mussel to Sequester Nutrients in Baltimore Harbor

11:45 Questions / General discussion on water quantity and quality

12:00 Lunch
**We will provide grilled cheese sandwiches and apples. Donations welcome but not necessary**
**We encourage a walk on the trails through Stillmeadow Peace Park.**

Theme 3: Grab bag topics: Urban Ecology in General and in Baltimore
1:15 Morgan Grove, US Forest Service. Co-authors: Pickett, S., Buckley, G., Boone, C.
Forging just ecologies: 25 years of urban long-term ecological research collaboration

1:30 Kim Grove, Baltimore City DPW
Update on research focuses

1:45 Selena Livas, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Co-Authors: Locke, D., Sonti, N.F.
An Analysis of Baltimore’s STEW-MAP Networks

2:00 Questions / General discussion
2:15 Break

Theme 4: Organisms in the City
2:30 Meghan Avolio, Johns Hopkins University. Co-Authors: Hoffman, A., Cocciardi, J.
Cosmopolitan plants do not show consistent parallel urban evolution across five US cities

2:45 Anna Mothersole, University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Co-Authors: Swan, C.
Freshwater Invertebrate Response to Urbanization: A Large Scale Analysis of Functional Diversity

3:00 Dexter Locke, US Forest Service. Co-Authors: Ossola, A., Schmit, J.-P., Grove, J.M.
Social, spatial and temporal analyses of urban tree canopy: The need for Sub-parcel Analysis.

3:15 Beatriz Shobe, Johns Hopkins University. Co-Authors: Avolio, M.L., Sonti, N.F.
Selection in the City: How artificial selection of trees impacts the genetic diversity of urban forests.

3:30 Marus Tuah and Kajall Hylton, Baltimore Tree Trust.
Tree Care and Technology in Baltimore City

3:45 Questions / General discussion

4:00 Posters
4:50 Closing Remarks
5:00 Adjourn and keep the discussion going at the Difference Makers Center of
West Baltimore, starting at 5:30

Poster presenters
Max Carroll, Johns Hopkins University. Co-Authors: Avolio, M.L.
Examining Patterns of Urban Weeds Adaptation to Elevated Salt Levels

Aiden Kirchgraber, Smithsonian Environmental Research Center. Co-Authors: Nowakowski, A.J., Bennett, S.K., Wernoch, R., Cawood, A.
The resilience of bird vocalization behavior to extreme heat events in urban forest settings

Mary McWilliams, University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Co-Authors: Welty, C., Duncan, J., Lagrosa IV, J.
Use of long-term, high-frequency sensor data to evaluate interannual trends in stream metabolism in an urban watershed

Mary McWilliams, University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Co-Authors: Welty, C., Miller, A.J., Duncan, J., Groffman, P.
Initial lessons learned from a year of high-frequency data at BES stream chemistry stations

Hannah Obenaus, Smithsonian Environmental Research Center. Co-Authors: Cawood, A., Wernoch, R., Bennett, S., Nowakowski, J.
Effects of forest restoration on insect communities in urban and exurban forests

Gabrielle Pezich, Pennsylvania State University. Co-Authors: Duncan, J.M., McPhillips, L., Groffman, P.
Quantifying spatial and temporal variability of biogenic greenhouse gas emissions in Baltimore

Gabriel Pickus, The Baltimore Forest School Flower. Co-Authors: Terris King II.
InDiGO: Inward Discovery Grows Outdoors

Margaret Schaefer, University of Maryland College Park. Co-Authors: McGurrin, K., McCloskey S., Pierre, A-L., Burghardt, K.
Does a history of redlining or higher urban temperatures across Baltimore neighborhoods affect young street tree health?

Rashmi Sharma.
Study of plants to reduce environmental temperatures.

P.J. Terhune, University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Co-Authors: McWilliams, M., Welty, C., Moore, J., Bain, D., Gomes, M.
Analysis of sulfate concentrations in riparian soils of headwater streams in Dead Run watershed

Samantha Votzke, Johns Hopkins University. Co-Authors: Szlavecz, K., Avolio, M.L., Johnson-Bond, O.
An assessment of photosynthetic activity in tree species across Baltimore City

Darryn Waugh, Johns Hopkins University. Co-Authors: BSEC
BSEC Weather Station Network: Spatial and Temporal Variations of Heat within Baltimore

Dick Williams, St. James Development Corporation.
Streetscape Green Infrastructure as Environmental Justice in 21217

Dick Williams, St. James Development Corporation.
The Rev. Donald O. Wilson Park as Environmental Justice at an Inner Block in 21217

Ian Yesilonis, US Forest Service. Co-Authors: Szlavecz, K., Schwartz, S., Sonderberg, P., Driftwood, L.
Understanding water flow dynamics in urban soils: Implications for stormwater management

**CANCELLED** BES Winter Quarterly Meeting: Next Meeting is May 7th
2025-02-19 08:30 - 12:00
**CANCELLED**
The Winter Quarterly Meeting of the Baltimore Ecosystem Study originally scheduled for Feb 19th has been cancelled. The next meeting will take place on May 7th:

BES Spring Quarterly Meeting: Middle Branch Restoration
2025-05-07 12:30 - 15:00 | UMBC Techology Research Center, 5200 Westland Blvd., Room 206, Arbutus, Maryland, 21227, United States
The Spring Quarterly Meeting of the Baltimore Ecosystem Study will take place on May 7, 2025 from 12:30 pm to 3:00 pm.
The topic will be Middle Branch Restoration.
Location: Room 206, Technology Research Center (TRC) on the UMBC campus.
More details TBA!

BES Summer Quarterly Meeting: Environment and Public Health
2025-07-09 12:30 - 16:30 | UMBC Techology Research Center, 5200 Westland Blvd., Room 206, Arbutus, Maryland, 21227, United States
The Summer Quarterly Meeting of the Baltimore Ecosystem Study will take place on July 9, 2025 from 12:30 pm to 4:30 pm.
The topic will be Environment and Public Health.
Location: Room 206, Technology Research Center (TRC) on the UMBC campus.
Remote link: https://umd.zoom.us/my/dexter.locke
One Tap Mobile: +13017158592,,3075864475#
Click HERE to download the agenda or see below. We look forward to seeing you all there!
– 12:30 Refreshments and Conversation
– 12:40 Welcome, Introductions, and Announcements
Rylee Wernoch
– 12:45 Spatial Science for Better Health: The Role of GIS in Understanding Environmental Determinants
Paige Brochu, University of Vermont Spatial Analysis Lab
– 1:00 Environmental Determinants of Energy Burden and Implications for Heat-Health Vulnerability
Becky Shade, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
– 1:15 A Spatiotemporal Analysis of Structural Racism, Firearm Homicide, and Fatal Opioid-Involved Overdose: An Injury-Related Syndemic
Mudia Uzzi, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
– 1:30 Cross-cutting Questions
– 1:45 Break
– 2:00 What is the Association Between Greening Vacant Lots and Adolescent Health? A Snapshot of Findings from Project VITAL
Kristin Mmari, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
– 2:15 Health Departments & Climate Change in the US
Megan Weil Latshaw, Johns Hopkins
– 2:30 Health Impacts of Place-Based Greening Interventions: A Systematic Review
Dustin Fry, Lehigh University College of Health
– 2:45 Wildfire & Preterm Birth – Current and Future research.
M. Luke Smith, Penn State University
– 3:00 Cross-cutting Questions
– 3:45 Break
– 4:00 Discussion, proposals, opportunities to collaborate & Next Steps?
– 4:30 Adjourn
Dexter Locke

BES Annual Science Meeting - October 16
2025-10-16 08:30 - 17:00 | Stillmeadow Community Fellowship, 5110 Frederick Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland, 21229
The 2025 Annual Science Meeting of the Baltimore Ecosystem Study will take place on October 16, 2025.
Everyone is welcome to attend.
You do not need to give a presentation or poster to participate.
You do not need to be a scientist to join. In fact we encourage managers, decision makers, community members – everyone – to join and share their experiences and perspectives.
Registration is FREE and open now!
Submissions for oral and poster presentation ended on September 30th. Thank you to all those who submitted!
Click HERE to register for the meeting.
Click HERE to see the agenda.
Click HERE to see presentation abstracts.
Location: Stillmeadow Community Fellowship.

BES Winter Quarterly Meeting 2026
2026-01-22 08:30 - 12:30 | UMBC Techology Research Center, 5200 Westland Blvd., Room 206, Arbutus, Maryland, 21227, United States
The 2026 BES Winter Quarterly meeting will take place on Thursday January 22 from 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM.
The location is the Technology Research Center at UMBC.
Remote link: https://yale.zoom.us/j/97307986142
Everyone is welcome to attend.
You do not need to give a presentation or poster to participate.
You do not need to be a scientist to join. In fact we encourage managers, decision makers, community members – everyone – to join and share their experiences and perspectives.
Click HERE to download the Agenda.

BES Spring Quarterly Meeting 2026: BATS!!
2026-04-16 08:15 - 12:00 | UMBC Techology Research Center, 5200 Westland Blvd., Room 206, Arbutus, Maryland, 21227, United States
The 2026 BES Spring Quarterly meeting will take place on Thursday April 16 from 8:15 AM to 12:00 PM.
The topic is BATS!!
Click HERE for the agenda.
The location is the Technology Research Center at UMBC.
Everyone is welcome to attend.
You do not need to give a presentation or poster to participate.
You do not need to be a scientist to join. In fact we encourage managers, decision makers, community members – everyone – to join and share their experiences and perspectives.

BES Summer Quarterly Meeting 2026: Building Bridges and Breaking Barriers - Organizations Connecting People to Power
2026-06-17 08:30 - 13:00 | USGS Conference Room B, 5522 Research Park Dr, Catonsville, MD, 21228, United States
The 2026 BES Summer Quarterly meeting will take place on Wednesday June 17 from 8:30 AM to 1:00 PM.
The topic is Building Bridges and Breaking Barriers: Organizations Connecting People to Power
The location is the USGS Conference Room B, 5522 Research Park Dr, Catonsville, MD 21228
Click HERE to download the agenda.
Everyone is welcome to attend.
You do not need to give a presentation or poster to participate.
You do not need to be a scientist to join. In fact we encourage managers, decision makers, community members – everyone – to join and share their experiences and perspectives.
