Impact
About Masonville's Partnerships
At Masonville, federal organizations, state organizations, non-profits, and community groups have come together to restore an incredible piece of land for the benefit of local wildlife and the surrounding community.
In 2007 the Maryland Port Administration began construction on the Masonville Dredged Material Containment Facility (DMCF) and launched an extensive environmental restoration at Masonville Cove, adjacent to the DMCF. The construction of the DMCF came with numerous benefits for the community, centering around restoring waterfront access in the previously polluted site. In order to accomplish these changes, the Maryland Port Administration partnered with Living Classrooms Foundation and the National Aquarium to help engage the surrounding communities. Thus began the partnership of these organizations, which together with Maryland Environmental Service, continue to work to restore Masonville Cove for the benefit of local communities and wildlife.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service joined the partnership in 2013 when Masonville Cove was designated the nation's first Urban Wildlife Refuge Partnership. Urban Wildlife Refuges Partnerships are sites that are in close proximity to major metropolitan areas where "the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Community, and Partners come together to promote conservation
Today the proof of Masonville Cove's success as a refuge partnership is in the numbers: the Cove is consistently named one of the top birding spots in the state, and provides rich education experiences for thousands of students and visitors.
Strategic Plan
This strategic plan outlines the shared vision,mission, goals, and strategies that will guide the next five years (2026-2030) of collaborative action among the Masonville Cove Partnership and the growing network of community allies, youth leaders, educators, and environmental stewards.
At its heart, this plan reaffirms our commitment to deepening relationships with adjacent communities, expanding meaningful pathways for youth, and fostering collective leadership across our partnerships.
Strategic Plan (2026-2030)
Strategic Plan One-Pager
Strategic Report Cards
2025 Strategic Report Card
2024 Strategic Report Card
2023 Strategic Report Card
2022 Strategic Report Card
2021 Strategic Report Card
The Masonville Cove Partners
The Maryland Port Administration (MDOT MPA) purchased the site to use a portion of it to contain dredged material, or sediment removed from shipping channels leading to the Port of Baltimore. Placing the sediment at Masonville allows large ships to safely travel up the Chesapeake Bay to Baltimore, keeping the Port of Baltimore open for business. In return, MPA has worked tirelessly to restore the environment in the Cove and continues to work closely with the surrounding community to provide a community resource, restoring safe waterfront access at Masonville Cove.
Living Classrooms Foundation manages the state-of-the-art environmental education facility at Masonville Cove, acting as a host to visitors and an educational outreach team to neighborhood schools. Living Classrooms Foundation offers field trips to groups of all ages and abilities, and uses hands-on education and a low teacher-to-student ratio to help make learning fun and impactful.
The National Aquarium works closely with community groups to arrange large-scale restoration efforts, giving community ownership to the restoration success of this beautiful waterfront site. Community members have come together through the National Aquarium to conduct shoreline debris clean-ups, wetland plantings, and neighborhood beautification projects.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) provides wildlife management at Masonville Cove. As an integral partner in the Masonville Cove effort, USFWS helps to ensure the success of native wildlife through long-term monitoring, provides guidance on responsible wildlife management practices, and assists partners with educational programs.
Established as 501c3 non-profit organization in July 2026 the Friends of Masonville Cove works to strengthen connections between Baltimore communities and Masonville Cove Urban Wildlife Refuge, expand access to nature in South Baltimore, and create meaningful pathways to learn, lead, and participate in environmental stewardship.
The Community
A variety of community groups have worked closely with the Masonville Cove project partners to provide guidance and feedback regarding proposed projects designed to improve the area for public use. Integral groups include the Masonville Citizens Advisory Committee, the Greater Baybrook Alliance, and Baltimore Green Space. These partnerships help to maximize Masonville's impact as a valuable resource for the community.