Stewardship Programs
Non-native, Invasive Plant Removal
AWS helps maintain local plant and wildlife populations by identifying and removing certain types of vegetation that do not belong in this area of the world. Some of these imported plants have no natural predators or diseases in this region that control their growth and must be removed by human beings before they squeeze other types of life out of our natural areas. AWS offers volunteers an opportunity to participate in an invasive weeding program that helps protect several area parks from invasive threats. more
River & Community Cleanup
Improperly discarded trash not only poses a health threat to our communities and natural areas, it negatively impacts our state of mind if we have to look at it every day. Trash pollution is a chronic problem along the Anacostia River and in neighborhoods throughout its watershed. In order to address this issue, AWS runs River & Community Cleanup programs throughout the year to raise awareness of the region’s trash problem and build grassroots support for changing peoples’ beliefs about trash disposal and recycling. more
Water & Pollution Monitoring
There are many different ways local waterways can become dirty. Certain materials can cause water to become polluted with chemicals, others can lower the amount of oxygen available to fish and other aquatic life, still others can release large quantities of harmful bacteria and viruses. Throughout the year, AWS monitors the Anacostia River and all its tributary creeks and streams for the presence of polluting substances. If a pollutant is found, we attempt to locate the source and initiate a cleanup action. more
Tree Planting & Maintenance
Each fall, AWS engages hundreds of volunteers to plant thousands of native trees in suitable locations throughout the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. These saplings not only hold the potential to improve quality of life in deforested areas, they interrupt the descent of rain water on its way to the ground. The slowing effect leads to less erosion and sediment pollution, and increases the amount of water that enters the ground. Individual volunteers are welcome to help us re-green the region throughout the months of September, October, and November. more
Wetland Monitoring & Restoration
Wetlands behave like the kidney of a river system, clean water of debris and pollution as it flows by. Human activity has all but destroyed the Anacostia’s original marsh lands crippling the river’s ability to heal itself over time. AWS operates a year-round program that monitors the health of existing Anacostia wetlands, and, in some cases, works to replace acres of marsh that have been lost. Individual volunteers and groups may be able to help us with wetland observations and re-planting projects during spring and summer months. more Coming Soon
Storm Drain Stenciling
Many people do not know that the neighborhood storm drain or the local culvert diverts water from rain and snow storms directly into creeks and streams that feed the Anacostia River. They also do not know that those same storms often carry any trash, chemicals, and other pollutants dropped along streets and sidewalks directly into our local waterways. Volunteers can address this lack of public knowledge by participating in our Storm Drain Stenciling program aimed at letting others know where water, and, more importantly pollution, go after entering our storm sewers. more
Past Programs
Since 1989, AWS has initiated and concluded several other environmental stewardship programs that have ceased operating. Although those programs are currently inactive the results they achieved may be of interest. more
Volunteer
We offer a variety of volunteer opportunities that will engage your hands, your head, and your heart in the protection and restoration of our local lands and water.
Upcoming Events
Earth Day 2010
April 24th: 8:30am - 2pm
Morning trash cleanup followed by an Earth Day Celebration. More info
Equipment Donations
We are always in need of new canoes, paddles, kayaks, life vests, wet bags, and other items for our outdoor programs. If you have any extras, please contact us about making a donation. learn more
