Hi all! Danny here. I can’t believe that the kick-off for Baltimore: The Urban Forest Project is only a month away! It seems like yesterday, when really we started planning for this project this past summer. Along the way we’ve met some great people who are truely committed to creating change. I’d like to piggy-back on Rachael and Jess’ sentiments, and say a huge thank you to everyone who has participated thus far. We really couldn’t have done it without you!

So why are you here reading this? Well, for one week only its all about the blog, the designers, and you! Over this next week we will have daily give-aways to commenting users. T-shirts, buttons, posters, and hand-painted tiles will be among the prizes! One never before seen banners will be revealed per day as well as a special 5 minute interviews with just a few of the participating designers.

That means, comment away! Let us know what you think about this effort. Check the list below to see all the upcoming interviews this week.

Today’s Prize A free UFP t-shirt

Happy Green Valentines Day everyone! Danny here! Its a good week to be part of the Urban Forest Project everyone! We are wrapping up sponsorship for the banners on Monday, so its your last opportunity to show a little love for Baltimore, art, and a healthy sustainable community. If you are feeling generous today and want to show your support to the community please click here. For an individual, a small business, or even a large corporation its your chance to show that you support and value the Baltimore community through sponsorship of this city-wide exhibition and event! Your name will be displayed prominently on a banner in the exhibition, and when they are recycled into tote bags and sold, the side panels will show your name prominently (see below). So come on! Its Valentine’s day. Show a little Bmore-love. Sponsor Now!

And check out a special “Green” Valentine made by our friend Doug Retzler from Art for Green Spaces / Art In Common artincommon.org & GreenCityBaltimore.org

Thanks Doug! Happy Valentines day everyone!

Holy Man! Jess here! I cannot believe all the amazing submissions that we had for banners. Danny has been mailing everyone in our office sneak peaks of all the designs. I must say… I think I need to buy a bag! I know. I know. I am already a bag lady but these are one of a kind pieces of art that relate to an amazing cause and the designs are just so cool.

I also need to thank all the wonderful teachers out there that took the challenge to bring the Urban Forest Project into their classrooms. We received a whooping 240 banner designs from K-12 students! You all Rock!

Ethan Pronovost from Park School created this awesome tree for his banner! Look for these banners on display throughout the exhibition in Druid Hill Park!

Hey everyone, Denise here! We’re just so psyched about Baltimore’s enthusiasm for the Urban Forest Project . Your energy pours forth everyday with so many people calling, emailing, dropping in – they want to know how they can help the UFP be an awesome experience. The answer is simple – and very cool too. Be a UFP sponsor!!!

Check this out. The UFP tells the story of trees – and why we need more of them. During the UFP, you will see “trees” throughout Baltimore that are created from banners on poles. Now imagine a real tree in it’s place. How easy it is to see the difference made by one single tree! The real difference is of course what it does for our environment, but wow, to be surrounded by them is truly visually inspiring.

Be a sponsor. You help us “plant” the UFP trees by sponsoring the banners that are hung on the poles. Each banner displays the banner sponsor’s name on the bottom (see below)! How amazing it will feel to see YOUR NAME there!!! And you know all your friends will want to check it out. Your contribution pays for the banner to be printed and then, when the UFP ends, all proceeds are donated to TreeBaltimore - which plants REAL trees throughout the city!

Sponsor a banner now! Save a tree and make your contribution online. You’ll see all the other ways you can help too. One of the best ways, always, is to tell your friends and employers to help too. Be sure to ask your neighborhood businesses for their support!

This movement towards growing greener is happening everyday because you truly care. And so do we. Thank you for sponsoring the UFP and creating change!