Mission, Vision, and Values
A Refuge for All (People and Wildlife)
A restored urban nature area along the Middle Branch of the Patapsco River in South Baltimore. Once heavily polluted and used for illegal dumping, it has been transformed into one of the region's most notable environmental restoration projects and is now the nation's first Urban Wildlife Refuge Partnership.
Vision
We connect people with nature through hands-on experiences that
inspire care and stewardship of the environment.
Mission
Masonville Cove is a welcoming urban refuge where people across Baltimore connect with nature, one another, and their shared environment. As a model for community-rooted conservation, it fosters hands-on learning, local stewardship, and a lasting sense of care and belonging.
Core Values
Fun
Delighting in innovative and impactful programming to deepen the understanding and enjoyment of nature.
Collaboration
Growing partnerships and making connections to fulfill our mission.
Community
Engaging as good neighbors and stewards of the environment to serve as a community asset.
Inclusion
Respecting and empowering all people to engage with and benefit from nature.
Gateway Site Designation
The National Park Service Chesapeake Gateways and Watertrails Network is one of the nation's largest partnership-based conservation and tourism networks. Rather than being a single park, it is a network of hundreds of places that together tell the story of the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
The Network currently includes more than 300 designated Chesapeake Gateways Places and Partners across the 41-million-acre Chesapeake Bay watershed, spanning Delaware, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia.
Joining the Chesapeake Gateways Network brings Masonville Cove increased support, visibility, and new opportunities to engage people in the region’s natural and cultural heritage. The network includes parks, trails, museums, and historic sites across the watershed.