The impetus for the Green Towson Alliance came in 2015 when volunteers chairing Greening committees for Towson neighborhood associations agreed to support one another’s efforts. As a result, tree plantings and stream clean-ups are ongoing events undertaken by the Alliance. Over time our work on these hands-on projects has expanded to also include educating the public about best practices in caring for the natural world and advocacy initiatives involving policy and legislation to improve the environment.
We’re proud of our accomplishments! Read on the learn about the impact we’ve made.
HANDS-ON WORK THAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE:
GREEN NEIGHBORHOODS, CLEAN STREAMS
We don’t just talk about nature, we get our hands dirty making a difference in our communities!
TREES
To date, GTA volunteers have organized planting over 2400 trees in Towson neighborhoods. Tree plantings, tree pruning, protecting large, mature canopy trees, and invasive vine and plant removal are ongoing projects in many communities, and more neighborhoods are added each year.
STREAMS
Since its inception in 2015, GTA’s annual spring stream cleanups have removed more than fourteen thousand pounds of trash and debris from local streams that run through Towson neighborhoods and eventually reach the Chesapeake Bay. These include the Herring Run and its tributaries, and tributaries to the Jones Falls including Roland Run and Towson Run.
HABITAT RESTORATION
GTA has worked in several locations, both private and public, removing invasive plants to promote healthy eco-systems that support our insects and birds populations. Our ongoing work at Overlook Park in Idlewylde Community has uncovered plants installed after a stream restoration project by Baltimore County and allowed them to thrive.
EDUCATION WORK
In 2021 we held our first annual Native Garden Contest to show Towson gardeners that they can have beautiful yards that support healthy ecosystems. We’ve held several educational talks at the public library on topics including climate change, managing stormwater with green infrastructure and native garden design. Our bi-monthly general meetings have featured a variety of speakers on topics such as the dangers of turf fields and workshops like teaching how to winter sow native plant seeds.
ENCOURAGING THE USE OF NATIVE PLANTS
Much research has documented the importance of native plants in our yards, our neighborhoods, and our ecosystems. Two members of Green Towson Alliance submitted the first-ever plant exhibit using native plants in the prestigious Philadelphia Flower Show in 2019, winning 2nd and 3rd Prize Ribbons for their native plant terrarium exhibits.
ADVOCACY WORK
From the very beginning Green Towson Alliance has worked at the local and state level to effect changes in policy and laws that will protect the environment.
GREEN DEVELOPMENT
In September 2015, Green Towson Alliance advocated for a Towson Master Plan. (GTA White Paper for Zoning in Towson) In the absence of such a plan, the Alliance has advocated for a walk-able, sustainable downtown Towson in development projects that include Towson Gateway, Towson Row, 706 Washington Ave, 502-506 Baltimore Avenue and Towson Circle; and urban open space projects such as Patriot Park and the Road to Freedom Trail. We review proposed developments that apply for variances from environmental laws. We have advocated for design changes to reduce the impact of variances on developments such as Red Maple Place and the Villas at Woodbrook. We testify at Design Review Panel and Administrative Law Judge Hearings.
Retain the beautiful mature trees still growing in the urban Towson area; and
Use best practices in planting native canopy trees.
As members of the Clean, Safe and Green Committee of Towson’s Maryland Main Street Affiliate Program administered by the Towson Chamber of Commerce, we promote walkability and green infrastructure to provide shade, habitat and manage stormwater.
We conducted a survey showing almost 200 potential locations for trees there. In 2022 over 70 native canopy trees were planted in downtown Towson. We continue to advocate to fill many more empty spots with shade-providing, native canopy trees.
ADEQUATE PUBLIC FACILITIES
In July 2017, a team of volunteer investigators studied the Jones Falls Sewershed and testified about its finding before the Baltimore County Planning Board. The White Paper, Is Raw Sewage Contaminating Our Streams? Analysis of the Jones Falls Sewershed was presented to the Board in August, 2017. Members of Green Towson Alliance continue to monitor the County’s progress in complying with the Consent Decree regarding sanitary sewage systems imposed on Baltimore County in 2005 and Baltimore City in 2002.
OPEN SPACES, GREENWAYS AND PARKS
Green Towson Alliance has worked with neighborhood organizations to:
Create new parks near downtown Towson, such as Radebaugh Park and Stevenson Park;
Expand existing parks such as Towson Manor Park; and
Advocate for and support projects such as the Six Bridge Trail project.
We have successfully advocated for the down-zoning of hundreds of acres of county-owned open spaces to protect them from development.
IMPROVED PEDESTRIAN, BICYCLE AND MASS TRANSIT
We strive to foster connections between downtown and surrounding communities and institutions.
We advocate for “complete streets” that calm traffic and invite pedestrians and bicyclists with greenery and safe design. We encourage our members to use mass transit including the Towson Loop.
MARYLAND LEGISLATION
In collaboration with other environmental organizations, Green Towson Alliance has successfully passed two important pieces of legislation. In 2023 the Maryland Native Plant Program was signed into law. This bill creates a list of Maryland native plants and promotes their sale. It’s companion bill, the Biodiversity and Agriculture Protection Act which updates and strengthens Maryland’s laws on invasive plants, passed in 2024.
