The Hankin Healthy Harbor Walking Tour

The Hankin Healthy Harbor Walking Tour. . , Michael Hankin's Vision , Baltimore is a better place thanks to Mike Hankin, a strong business and civic leader and fervent environmentalist. The environment he loves most is the Baltimore Harbor., In 2005, he led the creation of the Waterfront Partnership, bringing together businesses, government and other stakeholders to celebrate and restore this jewel of the City., Under his chairmanship, Waterfront Partnership creates a cleaner and safer waterfront, built new Inner Harbor parks, launched waterfront events and set a goal of making the Harbor safe for swimming and fishing once again., The Hankin Healthy Harbor Walking Tour is a showcase of the restoration projects made possible by Mike's vision and leadership. Many of these projects, like Mr. Trash Wheel and the Floating Wetland, have helped to educate thousands of people and received national and even international press and praise for their innovation and design., After 12 years, Mike stepped down as chairman of the Waterfront Partnership, but he continues to work to restore the waterfront. If one day you take a dip here in the Baltimore Harbor, it will be in large part due to the inspiration and tenacity of Mike Hankin and the high expectations he set for businesses, government, environmental groups and the Waterfront Partnership., 1. Van's Bird and Butterfly Garden , This garden of native plants provides a safe place for birds and butterflies to eat, drink and rest. They are fun to watch and an important part of our local ecosystem., 2. Waterfront Partnership Floating Wetlands , These islands float using plastic bottles pulled from the Harbor. They are planted with native wetland grasses that provide habitat for turtles, fish and crabs. As the plants grow they clean pollution from the water, 3. Oyster Gardens , The Great Baltimore Oyster Partnership was established by the Waterfront Partnership and Chesapeake Bay Foundation. Baby oysters are grown in cages around the Harbor annually until they are mature enough to be transplanted to a protected sanctuary reef in the Chesapeake Bay. Oysters provide habitat and filter the water as they feed., 4. National Aquarium Floating Wetlands , The National Aquarium's innovative approach to floating wetlands includes a simulation of multiple types of wetland habitat planted with native grasses and a process for adding dissolved oxygen to the water to reduce the impact of oxygen dead zones and help fish and crabs to breathe., 5. Pierce's Park Rain Gardens , This family park is a certified native wildlife habitat and features interactive sculptures, musical instruments, a living willow tunnel and beautifully planted rain gardens that capture and treat polluted rainwater before it flows into the harbor., 6. Mr. Trash Wheel , The first of its kind, Mr. Trash Wheel has become an international icon in the fight against ocean plastics. Using solar and hydro power, this innovative invention "eats" trash and debris flowing down the Jones Falls stream. You can follow Mr. Trash Wheel on social media where he talks trash, shares memes and promotes behavioral change., 7. Brown Advisory Floating Wetlands , These floating islands are made from custom welded steel and lushly planted with native species that provide habitat for birds, crabs and fish. The plants filter pollution from the water and store it in their leaves., 8. Professor Trash Wheel , The world's second Trash Wheel, Professor Trash Wheel, can be found at the mouth of Harris Creek, a completely piped stream that flows beneath seventeen Baltimore neighborhoods. Just like Mr. Trash Wheel, she is sustainably powered and loves to share her interesting trash finds on social media., Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore , Healthy Harbor A Waterfront Partnership Initiative , Brown Advisory Thoughtful Investing.