Collaborate on the future of Baltimore’s central watershed
To listen and learn.
Over the next two years, volunteers and environmental leaders in Baltimore will engage the community to co-create a Strategic Plan for the future of the Jones Falls and its connected waterways.
A landmark project
This Strategic Plan represents the first time in the 21st century that greater Baltimore will propose a path forward for the entirety of the Jones Falls watershed.
The community-led process involves a historic collaboration between the city and county to account for the future of all parts of the watershed—from Caves Valley, through Greenspring Valley, to the Harbor, and on to the Chesapeake Bay.
Your watershed
The Jones Falls and its tributaries run through the heart of the Baltimore region, connecting more than 230,000 watershed residents to a remarkably biodiverse natural habitat and resource.
While past studies have been focused on environmental monitoring and remediation efforts, the 2027 Strategic Plan will be a holistic consideration of environmental equity, responsible development, climate resilience, public access, and habitat restoration
We're here to create space for a shared vision of our watershed's future-to connect with nature and community as we find the way
Join your Action Team
Come play a part in this landmark, community-based project looking to the future of our watershed. Our Action Teams will coordinate major stakeholder meetings for each of the three reaches that represent the entirety of the Jones Falls Watershed.
Upper Team
From 695 to Garrison Forest Veteran Cemetery.
The Upper Team will be based at the Irvine Nature Center and led by Brooks Paternotte, Executive Director.
Middle Team
From Northern Parkway to 695.
The Middle Team will be based at
The Park School of Baltimore and led by Julie Rogers, Science Faculty.
Lower + Harbor Team
From Inner Harbor to Northern Parkway
The Lower & Harbor Team will meet at Baltimore Unity Hall and be led by Marian Glebes, Cultural and Preservation Planner.
Strategic Team
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Project Lead
Friends of the Jones Falls is a volunteer-run organization that supports and sustains the the quality of life and long-term stewardship of Baltimore’s central watershed.
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Fiscal Agent
Central Baltimore Partnership invests in small businesses, housing, green spaces, health, and the arts for block-level and large-scale redevelopment projects in Central Baltimore.
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Environmental Consultant
BioHabitats provides nature-based solutions that help create a resilient world of abundant biodiversity, clean water, and community wellbeing.
Steering Committee
Ben Cardin, U. S. Senator (Ret.) Honorary Chair
Al Barry, FTJF Board, AB Associates, Chair
Ellen Janes, CBP, Co-Chair
Sandy Sparks, FTJF Board President
Mac McComas, FTJF Board, Steering Committee Secretary, JHU 21st Century Cities Initiative
Martin Thompson, Director of Communications, JFW Strategic Plan
Ken Belt, Hydrologist, Maryland Natural History Society, UMBC Baltimore Ecosystem Study
Maggie McIntosh, Environmental Leader
Matt Stegman, Chesapeake Bay Foundation
Alice Volpitta, Blue Water Baltimore, Baltimore Harborkeeper
Ex Officio
Delegate Regina T. Boyce, FTJF Board
Delegate Sheila Ruth, FTJF Board
Delegate Dana Stein
“Our Strategic Plan will provide environmental protection for the Jones Falls Watershed for future generations while planning for responsible development and public access.”
-Ben Cardin, U.S. Senator (Ret.)
Jones Falls Watershed Honorary Chair
Action Team Leadership
Upper Team
Brooks Paternotte, Chair, Irvine Nature Center,
Kyle Gilen, Irvine NR/Stewardship Program, Staff
Betsy Baetjer, Co-Chair, Conservationist
Chandler Denison, Environmentalist
Andy Miller, Professor, UMBC Environmental Studies
Middle Team
Julie Rogers, Chair, Park School Faculty
Elizabeth Fisk, Park School, Staff
Tom McCord, Co-Chair, Environmentalist
Thomas Baum, Hidden Acres Farm
Cameron Bechmann, Baltimore Co. Environment Planner
Lower + Harbor
Marian Glebes, Chair, Cultural and Preservation Planner
Matt Hugel, Midtown VP Economic Development, Co-Chair
Lee Davis, MICA Center for Creative Impact
Adam Linquist, Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore
Tom McGilloway, Mahan Rykiel Associates, Landscape Architect
David Tufaro, Terra Nova Ventures, Developer
Storied past, bright future.
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