Reclaiming an Urban Forest for Birds and People in Baltimore

A forest in southwest Baltimore has a new lease on life thanks to a partnership between Audubon, Baltimore City Recreation and Parks, and the Lakeland community.

Audubon wrapped up restoration work at Lakeland Park this fall, transforming an overgrown, difficult-to-access forest into a welcoming oasis for birds and residents. The project has been years in the making and involved in-depth community engagement, extensive invasive plant removal, forest and trail restoration, and more.

The work marks the first completed project under the Baltimore Community Forestry Initiative, a collaboration between Audubon and Baltimore City Department of Recreation and Parks, which aims to improve forest habitat for migratory birds while working with neighboring communities to create healthier, more accessible green spaces.

“Migratory birds have few healthy habitats to rest and refuel as they migrate along the East Coast, particularly the densely populated Mid-Atlantic region,” said Susie Creamer, Baltimore Program Director at Audubon Mid-Atlantic. “Co-created by design, the Baltimore Community Forestry Initiative contributes to Audubon’s habitat goals, restoring stopovers for migratory birds while also meeting our partners’ goals of healthy forests and safer access for park visitors.”

Community Process

Before the Initiative launched, Lakeland Park’s forest was difficult to access, with aggressive invasive plants like English ivy and Japanese honeysuckle smothering native vegetation and blocking trails. Due to perceptions of neglect by the City, illegal dumping had taken a toll on the landscape.

This began to change in 2024, when Audubon partnered with Baltimore City Recreation and Parks and launched Lakeland Park as a pilot site for the Baltimore Community Forestry Initiative. The first step was engaging the community to learn how residents wanted to see their park transformed.  

Through numerous community meetings, residents gave input to shape the project’s design. They asked for wider, more accessible walking paths, bilingual interpretative signage, and benches for visitors to rest and enjoy nature. Neighbors also helped to select native trees, shrubs, and wildflower species to improve biodiversity and beautify the park.

Later that year, restoration work began. Crews removed invasive vegetation, cleared nearly 2,000 pounds of trash, and reopened trails. Thanks to funding secured by Audubon, the team planted nearly 500 trees and shrubs, plus more than 1,100 perennial native plants, filling in gaps along the forest edge and interior. 

Rec and Parks’ Trails team widened paths, cleared debris, and installed steps made from reclaimed city trees. Green Stewards, a group of community members trained by Audubon and Rec and Parks in native plant identification, invasive species removal, tree planting, and light trail work, supported improvements along the forest trails. The City’s Camp Small, which recycles dead wood from local forests, created four large, wooden benches from fallen trees, per the request of park neighbors who aren’t physically able to walk the length of the trail without breaks.

Restoration and Community

The restoration also brought neighbors together. Led by Audubon and Green Stewards, more than 500 Lakeland residents participated in planting events, including students from Lakeland Elementary/Middle School. 

Addressing illegal dumping and improving access were also important parts of the effort, and Rec and Parks teams are actively working to remove dumping and prevent future issues. Additionally, Audubon’s Baltimore team worked closely with Rec and Parks to design bilingual, interpretive signage to share the importance of healthy forests and make the park more welcoming.  

The result is a park forest that was re-envisioned by and is open to its neighbors.

For Lakeland resident and Baltimore Green Steward, Lidia Mencho, the park transformation has been long awaited.

“Where the park was previously empty, it’s now filled with life, with trees, providing this space for our community,” Mencho said. “Families, children of all ages were able to provide their input on what this park should become. It’s surreal to sit here, touch this bench, and know that we contributed to it. It’s very special.”

One of the clearest signs of change she observed is that children now ask to visit the park. “The park is now the destination that they seek out,” Mencho said. “They want to be here, and it’s a safe place for them. Before, this was not the case.”

Migratory Habitat

Forests like Lakeland play an important role in supporting both migratory and resident birds. Along the I-95 corridor, dense, major cities such as Washington DC, Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York create an intensely developed landscape. For birds traveling along the East Coast, green spaces within these cities are important rest areas, providing food to refuel during migration.  

Mature trees provide nesting spaces and shelter for resident birds, while native shrubs and flowering perennials offer food and habitat for migrating species. A healthier forest is especially important because it supports the insects that most birds need to survive.

“These smaller forested areas serve as stepping stones between the largest parks, and that’s really critical stopover habitat for wildlife that is moving from space to space,” said Ashley Bowers, Natural Areas Unit Manager of the Baltimore City Dept. of Recreation and Parks.

Through native plantings, improved forest health, and long-term maintenance and monitoring, the Baltimore Community Forestry Initiative is helping ensure these green spaces remain valuable for wildlife while offering residents opportunities to connect with nature.

Audubon and Baltimore City Rec and Parks are now replicating the success of the Initiative in a second site, Farring Baybrook Park, which contains 17 acres of forest within a 91-acre public park. Stay tuned for more on how this initiative is transforming urban habitat for birds and communities.