Public Education – Information and Precedents: Effects of Deer Overabundance on Plant Communities

White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) are present in overwhelming numbers in urban and suburban areas. Forest fragmentation supports populations of the species, which thrives in wooded edges, and those populations drive significant changes to the local plant communities. While researchers and managers know a great deal about these interactions, the general public is not always aware […]

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Elkhorn Promenade Capstone Project

The Elkhorn Promenade project revitalizes the Owen Brown Village Center in Columbia, Maryland into a competitive and locally sourced mixed use residential and retail destination. The Elkhorn Promenade will give residents a strong desire to walk, bike or even take a short drive to a destination with a tailored experience. Don’t go downtown; go next […]

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Reflect & Connect: Lake Kittamaqundi, Columbia

Our aim with this project was to enhance the synergy and connectivity of this site, while increasing previous surfaces to catch and filter site runoff before entering the lake. Increasing the seating for event spaces/ social gatherings was also a critical aspect of the design. We used a geometric site layout to carry out our […]

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Jim Rouse Waterfront at Lake Kittamaqundi

We aim to create a waterfront destination park that: introduces opportunities for economic growth as Downtown Columbia becomes increasingly urbanized and developed; connects to the greater plan for Columbia; restores Jim Rouse’s original vision for Columbia by incorporating historical elements; increases pedestrian access; introduces greater handicap access; allows for social gathering on many different scales, […]

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Ecology of Riparian Ecosystems

In the urban landscape, ecosystems are being fragmented into smaller and smaller pieces that lack the connectivity and resources to function properly. Riparian zones are ecosystems that act as an ecotone, or interface, between aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. A properly functioning riparian ecosystem provides a multitude of ecosystem services that help keep the surrounding area […]

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The Feasibility of Small Farms Growing Hops and Specialty Grains Profitably in Howard County

This project assessed the potential profitability of growing hops and grains for alcohol production on the fewer than 200 farms of 520 acres in Howard County, MD. Currently, few of Howard’s farms are able to make a profit on an annual basis and none of the farms made more than $10,000 in annual sales in […]

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The Farming Industry: Profitable Models

The Howard County Office of Community Sustainability is seeking food hub-based solutions that connect small and mid-sized farmers in Howard County with restaurants and retailers to expand the market for locally produced agricultural products. Under the supervision of instructor Philip Gottwals, the University of Maryland’s PALS-affiliated AREC 489N team studied successes and failures of organizations […]

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