EJJI Celebrates Latino Conservation Week at Middle Branch Park
EJJI Celebrates Latino Conservation Week at Middle Branch Park
By Laura Quigley
In a celebration of nature, community, and cultural diversity, EJJI recently hosted an event commemorating Latino Conservation Week. Held in Middle Branch Park overlooking the Middle Branch of the Patapsco River, the event celebrated the contributions of the Latinx conservation community while engaging local residents in the abundant nature of our shared waterfront.
We partnered with the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC), Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake (IPC), the Institute for Marine and Environmental Technology (IMET), Clean Air Baltimore, and the Baltimore Rowing Club to provide a range of activities aimed at fostering environmental awareness and stewardship. From bird watching to water sampling, an underwater microphone, and even a bio buggy, residents learned about and interacted with the diverse natural environment that resides within their community.
Clean and accessible water is crucial for sustaining life. During the event, water sampling activities shed light on the health of local ecosystems. Guided by experts from the Smithsonian, attendees collected water samples from the Middle Branch and analyzed them for turbidity and colored dissolved organic matter – both important clues to a water body’s health. Participants learned how different factors harm aquatic life, and the significance of preserving the delicate balance of these aquatic ecosystems.
In addition to analyzing the water, attendees could listen to the water using an underwater microphone, also known as a hydrophone. Lowered into the water, the hydrophone picked up the sounds of the currents, passing fish, and even the vibration of trucks rumbling over the nearby Hanover Street Bridge.
The bio buggy, a mobile aquatic science station created by Steve Bradley, engaged attendees in hands-on activities that showcased the incredible biodiversity within the park. Led by experts from IMET, participants could observe and learn about various plants and organisms native to the Middle Branch, including mud crabs and polychaete worms.
Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake manned a table with information about their work in environmental stewardship and community engagement, and Clean Air Baltimore distributed information on their fight to stop incineration and on zero-waste practices. In the nearby Baltimore Rowing and Water Resource Center, participants were encouraged to test their speed on static rowing machines.
Many visitors came to celebrate Latino Conservation Week, while others stopped by on their way to fish from the docks or enjoy a day in the park with their families.
This celebration was EJJI’s first for the annual Latino Conservation Week, but we hope to do it every year. We are proud to honor the contributions of Latinx individuals and organizations in conserving, restoring, and improving the environment. Mark your calendars for next year at the end of July.
