They don’t call Baltimore Charm City for nothing. Sure, it might play home to the gripping series The Wire, but Baltimore is also home to some of the country’s best museums, universities, medical research institutions, seafood, and quirky art communities. Remember fellow blogger Jon’s posts about HonFest and the Kinetic Sculpture Race? Baltimore also has a thriving green community, and urban environmentalism has taken root with many local organizations that want to cut back on pollution, improve public transportation, reduce landfill waste, and incorporate greener living into city life. How are the residents of Baltimore working to green their city, improve air quality and public health, and revitalize public space in the interest of a greener, cleaner environment? Find out by learning about some of these great organizations after the JUMP—>.

Parks and Green Spaces: Great Parks, Clean Streams and Green Communities is a nonprofit offshoot of the Parks and People Foundation. They’re all about improving parks and green spaces in Baltimore, and improving the lives of residents through educational and recreational programs.

Energy: Clean Energy Partnership promotes the use of clean energy in Maryland, and to get the state to catch up in the realm of renewable energy.

Jobs: B’more Green provides job training and job placement assistance to people interested in entry-level positions in environmental technology firms. B’more Green is a division of Civic Works, which aims to turn abandoned lots into parks and gardens.

Transportation: Velocipede Bike Project is a collectively run non-profit that seeks to bring people and bicycles together in the interest of providing transportation options to low income residents, encouraging healthier lifestyles and reducing waste flow and pollution. They teach people how to repair and build their own bicycles, and provide affordable refurbished bikes and bike parts.

Pets: Green – it’s not just for humans anymore. Check out these natural pet products from Cyber Canine in Baltimore. Their canine shampoos, oils, and healing aids are vegan, cruelty free, and organic.

Eats: Baltimore has some great eco eats and organic restaurants, including Red Emma’s, Yabba Pot, Flying Avocado Café and One World Café. Learn more about environmentally friendly food choices in Baltimore via Metromix.

Speaking of good eats, I had the pleasure of checking out Baltimore’s Farmers Market this weekend, and it was awesome. Tons of fresh produce of all shapes, sizes and flavors, local honey, fresh fruit smoothies, natural doggie treats, homemade jewelry, organic soaps and more. The market is held every Sunday from 8am to 12pm.

takepart and check out Greenopia, a new site that can help you get in touch with green businesses, eco-friendly organizations, organic restaurants, and other people in your area who have a shared interest in protecting the environment.

Related:

• The Wire and the Real Baltimore
• Baltimore Green Week
• NYC Subway Cars Swimming with the Fishes