Urban Conservation and Community

04/10/2026

Today we are highlighting the Urban Food Forest at Browns Mill. This food forest utilizes agroforestry to create healthy and ecologically resilient landscapes with native plants. They are Atlanta's first Community Urban Food Forest and are located in an area that experiences food apartheid. We partnered with OXO to provide this project with funds to refurbish community amenities throughout the garden to continue providing a welcoming space for residents.

04/07/2026

Today we're highlighting Filbert Street Garden in Baltimore. Filbert Street Garden addresses food apartheid in Baltimore by offering eggs, nonperishables, and produce to their community as well as education on urban gardening, animal husbandry, and local wildlife. Thanks to funding from OXO we were able to provide them with a grant to make some capital improvements and continue providing classes in urban agriculture to the community. Check them out at https://filbertstreetgarden.org/

04/03/2026

🌞 Fellowship Host site spotlight: Friends of Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens 🌞
Friends of Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens is located in Washington, D.C., and is dedicated to ensuring the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens are a well-maintained, well- enjoyed, and welcoming aquatic gardens that inspire. During the park's active season, their Fellow will be supporting National Parks staff, coordinating evening programming, and assisting with program delivery and visitor services. During the off-season, the Fellow will assist with a Conservation Job Corps workforce development program, and support storytelling efforts to capture community impact. To learn more check out https://www.conservationfund.org/our-programs/urban-conservation/ucc-fellowship/

04/01/2026

🌞 Fellowship Host site spotlight: Detroit Hives 🌞
Detroit Hives is dedicated to improving the quality of life in underserved communities by supporting both people and pollinators. They have a regional network of more than 38 active sites across Southeast and South-Central Michigan, transforming vacant and underutilized land into vibrant green spaces that foster environmental stewardship, community pride, and economic opportunity. Their Fellow will support the planning, coordination, and implementation of urban conservation projects, strengthen community engagement and partnerships, and assist with hands-on learning experiences. To learn more check out https://www.conservationfund.org/our-programs/urban-conservation/ucc-fellowship/

03/27/2026

🌞 Fellowship Host site spotlight: Micah 6 Community 🌞
Today's Host Site spotlight takes us to Pontiac, Michigan. Micah 6 is an organization that provides fresh produce, resources, and support to their community. They have several cool projects underway including the opening of the Webster Community Center. Micah 6's Fellow will be helping to establish the Sprout Fresh Food Store in Webster, using produce grown at Micah 6's greenhouses and community garden. If you're interested in learning more about Micah 6, check them out here!

https://www.conservationfund.org/our-programs/urban-conservation/ucc-fellowship/

03/26/2026

High school seniors and recent grads check out this hands-on opportunity!

The application for our 2026 "Born To Be Wild" Workforce Development Program is now live! This program is designed for high school seniors or recent graduates interested in learning more about a career in conservation and the environment! The program will include upwards of 100 paid hours of on-the-job experience and training this summer. Take a look at the following link: https://www.sblc-mi.org/workforce-development-program

03/25/2026

🌞 Fellowship Host site spotlight: Amigos de los Rios - Emerald Necklace Group 🌞
Over the next two weeks, we will be doing a series highlighting each of the host sites for this cohort of Fellows. First up is Amigos de los Rios! Amigos de los Rios is an urban greening organization that is working to create a network of pocket parks called the Emerald Necklace to increase fire resistance and green stormwater infrastructure in historically underserved communities in Los Angeles County. Their Fellow will be integrated into their team of Natural Infrastructure Fellows to support the Emerald Necklace vision by integrating community voices into the process. Check them out at
https://www.conservationfund.org/our-programs/urban-conservation/ucc-fellowship/

03/24/2026

Congratulations to Harrod and Associates Contractors Inc on winning this bid! We are overjoyed that construction on the Bailey Drive Gateway project will soon be underway.

March 4 City Council Highlights!

✅ Council recognized Summer Youth Employment Program participants today. Through this program, we’ve provided paid, real-world work experiences for teens (15-18) across multiple career pathways for more than 40 years! Each summer, we connect hundreds of young people to career opportunities. Applications are open until March 18! https://raleighnc.gov/careers-jobs-and-volunteering/services/raleigh-summer-youth-employment

✅ With future affordable housing in mind, Council authorized staff to proceed with a City-led rezoning process on 3.57 acres of City-owned land. https://pub-raleighnc.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx?Id=2486605f-0c3b-40b6-a4e9-9ac0c5e0fcd6&lang=English&Agenda=Agenda&Item=6209&Tab=attachments

✅ Council awarded a bid to Harrod and Associates Contractors Inc. for the Bailey Drive Gateway project at Walnut Creek Wetland Park. This will feature a pavilion, gathering areas, planting areas, art features, and a sidewalk along Bailey Drive connecting Garner Road to both the park and Fuller Elementary School. https://pub-raleighnc.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx?Id=2486605f-0c3b-40b6-a4e9-9ac0c5e0fcd6&lang=English&Agenda=Agenda&Item=6064&Tab=attachments

✅ Council awarded a bid to Barnhill Construction Company for the annual street resurfacing program. In 2026, we’ll resurface 54 streets for a total of 13.38 centerline miles! https://pub-raleighnc.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx?Id=2486605f-0c3b-40b6-a4e9-9ac0c5e0fcd6&lang=English&Agenda=Agenda&Item=6143&Tab=attachments |

03/19/2026

Last week we had the opportunity to spend a day in sunny LA visiting our community partners Pacoima Beautiful and Amigos de los Rios - Emerald Necklace Group. Pacoima Beautiful is working with other local organizations to transform the unused embankments along the Pacoima Wash into vibrant public spaces with amenities for communities to enjoy. Amigos de los Rios is working to create a natural infrastructure network of greenspaces, schools, parks, and trails through under-served communties in teh LA Basin. They're doing a lot of work in Altadena in recovery efforts from the Easton Fires and creating green infrastructure to mitigate future fire severity and risk. We had a wonderful time with both of our community partners, thank you for hosting us and showing us around your sites!

03/18/2026

With support from The Conservation Fund, we’re excited to hire a full-time Urban Conservation & Community Fellow to help expand our work across Detroit.

The Fellow will help transform blighted lots into pollinator habitats, community gardens, and accessible green spaces, while supporting youth education and workforce development.

This role will also work closely with residents, schools, and community partners to strengthen community-driven conservation in Detroit.

Passionate about urban conservation and community impact?

Click here to to apply by April 6 https://www.conservationfund.org/our-programs/urban-conservation/ucc-fellowship/

Please share this opportunity with anyone who may be interested in helping build greener, healthier neighborhoods across Detroit.

03/18/2026

Pontiac's Councilwoman Milanna Jones talks about Webster Community Center and the role it plays in the larger revitalization of Pontiac.

03/17/2026

📣 Fellowship Announcement 📣
We are so excited to announce that Urban Conservation and Community Fellowship applications are live! If you or someone you know is committed to social justice with a passion for making neighborhoods safer, greener, and more equitable please apply! Fellows are placed with a host organization for 12 months and gain valuable experience in environmental nonprofit work while increasing the capacity of their host organization. Our awe-inspiring host sites this year are Detroit Hives, Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, Amigos de los Rios - Emerald Necklace Group, and Micah 6 Community. We're very excited about these placements, and can't wait to hear about our Fellow's experiences! Applications close March 21st. Please visit https://www.conservationfund.org/our-programs/urban-conservation/ucc-fellowship/ for more information on this opportunity.