About the Western Gateway Project

The Western Gateway Project would clear-cut a large portion of Guilford Woods in order to build private townhomes and some graduate student housing. At a time when we need to be doing all we can to protect our green spaces and to fight climate change, this environmentally irresponsible development project would:

·      deforest about 1,000 trees, some of which are ~150 years old

·      exacerbate existing problems with flooding and stormwater management

·      lead to decreased air quality and increased temperatures

·      significantly reduce tree canopy for the UMD campus and surrounding areas

·      destroy part of the Guilford Run headwaters

·      threaten wildlife habitats and endanger local biodiversity

·      eliminate a significant portion of one of the few remaining urban forests in the area

·      violate the University of Maryland’s own stated commitment to sustainability

While expanding graduate student housing is important, there are alternative sites available that can be developed in a more environmentally sustainable way.  Read more about the proposed project and its environmental impacts here.