BLISS was made for you
We provide culturally relevant environmental education because we know there is a difference in saying "This place was made for you" as opposed to "This place was made for all."
creating equitable access to nature
The Story of BLISS Meadows
The BLISS Meadows project is a 10 acre land-reclamation project at the intersection of environmental and food justice. The entire project weaves together 3 contiguous properties through public and private partnerships with land owners.
1. A 7 acre abandoned park
2. A 2.5 acre parcel with 2 ponds
3. A long-vacant home on 0.5 acres
In 2017, our Founder and Executive Director, Atiya Wells, came across the vacant property in her Frankford neighborhood in Northeast Baltimore. She envisioned a space for community dinners, environmental education, nature play spaces, and gardens.
In 2019, that dream became a reality when she received the blessing from the property's owner. Noticing the vacant house adjacent to the property, she launched a fundraising campaign to purchase it, and met the goal in less than 30 days.
We are now in Phase Two: Development of our 5 Year Phase-In plan in which we will begin renovating the vacant house, expanding production for the community farm, and starting a trail system in the park.
Follow our progress on the BLISS Meadows Facebook page.
phase-in plan
Phase I: Acquisition - COMPLETE
Phase II: Development - SPROUTING
Phase II: Development - SPROUTING
In May 2019, we successfully raised over $60K to purchase the vacant property
Phase II: Development - SPROUTING
Phase II: Development - SPROUTING
Phase II: Development - SPROUTING
- Land cultivation on 2.5 acre lot
- Trail blazing in 7 acre forest
- Full gut-renovation for this 1800 square foot structure into a LEED Certified home
Phase III: Implementation
Phase II: Development - SPROUTING
Phase III: Implementation
Programming at full scale, educating our community on self-reliance and sustainability