The Mussel Power program is a comprehensive three-part program that engages elementary and high school students throughout the watershed in freshwater mussel restoration.

The Power of Mussels

During the course of the program, students investigate the lifecycle of freshwater mussels, learn about the benefits that freshwater mussels provide, and explore the unique role of mussels in the Anacostia River ecosystem.

Through this program, students are actively engaged in the restoration of 1 of the 8 native species of freshwater mussel in the Anacostia River.  Students care for juvenile mussels in their classrooms using mussels, tanks, and other materials provided by the Anacostia Watershed Society. 

A class visit led by our trained environmental educators teaches students about the value of freshwater mussels and prepares students for upcoming field trips. Field trips include a guided boat tour of the Anacostia River; a “mussel release” during which students bring their juvenile mussels to the Anacostia River, and other fun, mussel-related activities! 

Mussel Power is embedded into the PGCPS Biogeochemical Systems class. High school students participate in real world, hands-on data collection and analysis. Students help care, measure mussel growth, and collect water quality data throughout the program. 

Over 1500 mussels are raised and released back into the river through this program annually.

Program at a Glance:

• Engages elementary and high school students from Maryland and Washington, D.C. in freshwater mussel restoration 
• DC Elementary program is offered in the fall
• PGCPS High School Program Mussel Power Program is offered September-May
• Includes a class visit from AWS staff, a boat tour of the Anacostia River, and a “mussel release” at Anacostia Park, Bladensburg Waterfront Park, or Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens

For more information about this program, please contact our Director of Education and Outreach, Kendra Bierman at [email protected].

Learn more about our mussel restoration work :

• Mussel Restoration
• Blog Posts about Mussels

Nature Near Schools, an environmental literacy program for 4th graders in Title I DC Public and Public Charter Schools funded by the DC Department of Energy & Environment. In addition to AWS, program partners UAS, Casey Trees, Living Classrooms Foundation, and Nature Forward are all delivering this Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience (MWEE) to over 1,200 students at 28 schools across DC!

Through this program students build connections to nature found right outside their school walls and learn how to be stewards of the watershed they call home. 

AWS educators meet with participating students 5 times over the course of the year exploring topics such as “What is a Watershed”, “Pollution Solutions”, and “Habitat and Human Impact”. These sessions occur in the school yard and local green spaces. Educators also work with participating classes to select, plan, and implement an action project at their school inspired by experiences in the program.

Welcome to the Master Naturalist Program!

The Maryland Master Naturalist Program is a state-wide program sponsored by University of Maryland Extension (UME). The program educates residents about the natural history of the state and provides structured training on a diverse assortment of natural history topics.  Additionally, the program empowers residents to share and care for natural places in their communities. 

Read our blog post, “Inside the Minds of Master Naturalists”, to learn more about the program from a few participants.

Program Specifics

The program held at the Anacostia Watershed Society focuses specifically on the plants and animals of the Anacostia River Watershed and how human activity has impacted the Anacostia River over time.  

Session topics include an introduction to Maryland’s natural history, how people have impacted the Anacostia River, the “science of science”, birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish, insects, plants, geology and the art of teaching others about the natural environment!

Participants will take part in field trips (walks and boat tours) to local areas throughout the watershed and will engage in hands-on work that supports a clean, healthy Anacostia River.

The program consists of 60 hours of training, followed by 40 hours of volunteer service to become officially certified.  The program cost is $250, due upon acceptance to the program.

The Master Naturalist program at AWS will be held on 2nd Saturdays from September through August of each year.

Do you have questions about the program? Email Jamie Craven, Environmental Educator, at [email protected].

Welcome to Watershed Stewards Academy!

The Watershed Stewards Academy (WSA) is a program based in the state of Maryland that equips community leaders with the resources, tools, and knowledge to serve as a point person in their community on watershed issues and solutions. Several counties host the program, and the National Capital Region of the program is run by Anacostia Watershed Society. Students participate in a 11-session course with both virtual and in-person sessions over a period of 3 months. This sets them up to complete a capstone project with community members and the resources that the program provides. Upon course and capstone project completion, they become certified Master Watershed Stewards. 

By participating in this Watershed Stewards Academy, you will:

• Understand Anacostia watershed history, ecology and restoration.
• Understand the importance of environmental justice in restoring the Anacostia watershed.
• Understand the different actors and their involvement in restoring the Anacostia Watershed.
• Build a community around local environmental issues. 
• Through the resources of the Academy, complete a capstone project as an individual/small group around a local environmental issue.

If you have any questions related to the program, please reach out to Lindsay Allen, Community Outreach Manager and WSA program coordinator at [email protected].

Check out this YouTube video of a former Watershed Steward sharing their experience!

Connect with the rest of Maryland’s WSA program on Facebook here!

Free Environmental Education for Middle Schoolers

Introduction to the Saturday Environmental Academy

The Anacostia Watershed Society’s Saturday Environmental Academy (SEA) is a free environmental education program for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students that is held on Saturdays. SEA is unique in its program depth, focus, and duration for the underserved middle school audience. We stimulate interest in and provide a fundamental education about the environment, specifically that of the Anacostia River Watershed, in a developmentally appropriate, meaningful way. 

SEA offers two multi-week programs each year, one in the fall and one in the spring. Sessions are held on Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at outdoor sites throughout the area. Students learn about the Anacostia River and local environment while developing skills in team building, critical thinking, and scientific investigation. Students may participate in one or all six semesters of their time in middle school. SEA also runs a Student Leader program which allows former SEA middle school participants to apply for one of these leadership positions. The SEA teaching team supports Student Leaders in strengthening presentation, communication, leadership, organization, and other skills. This program is run in conjunction with our normally held program and provides Student Leaders with the opportunity to obtain service hours or stipends.

SEA involves students in a wide variety of outdoor learning opportunities, such as riverside cleanups, boat trips, tree plantings, invasive species removal, and urban/community garden activities. These and other activities provide youth with a deeper understanding of the Anacostia River, the watershed community, and the impact that people have on the natural world.

The multi-week format is designed to build on students’ experiences from week-to-week, strengthening their grasp of the material and reinforcing the connections between sessions. SEA maintains a 5:1 student/teacher ratio, which allows for consistent, individual attention and building meaningful mentoring relationships. Additionally, because the students come from a range of schools, the program fosters relationships that cross neighborhood boundaries, strengthening the students’ appreciation for their wider community.

Benefits to students participating in SEA

• Visit cool environmental spots around DC & MD (parks, gardens, wetlands, etc.).
• Participate in hands-on activities and learn how you can make a difference for our environment!
• Earn service hours for sessions that are service-oriented (e.g., tree planting).
• Make new friends outside of your school!
• Build your portfolio for high school and college.
• Work with dedicated, fun SEA Teacher/Mentors in a small student to teacher ratio.

Guidelines for participation

• The Academy is free to all 6th, 7th, & 8th grade students. Students in the Anacostia Watershed (DC wards 5, 6, 7, & 8 and some areas of MD) are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Accepted students are expected to attend EVERY Saturday session in a multi-week semester program. Limited exceptions are made, e.g., for illness, travel, and testing. When possible, the SEA Program Director must be notified in advance of an absence and reason. 
• Students should arrive at our meeting location in front of Chisholm Elementary School at 1001 G Street, SE, DC every Saturday promptly at 9:00 a.m. They should be promptly picked up at 1:00 p.m. if not given permission to take public transportation or walk.
• Students learn best by doing, so they will be participating in activities that are outside most of the time. Students should wear clothes that can get dirty.
• Closed-toe shoes and long pants are a requirement.

To apply for your 6th, 7th, or 8th grade child to participate, please complete and return the Saturday Environmental Academy general application (or semester specific application, highlighted at the top of this webpage at certain times of the year). Contact Catherine Estes, SEA Program Director, at [email protected] if you have any questions.

See updates and photos of the Saturday Environmental Academy in action on Facebook.

FREE for 6th, 7th, and 8th graders living in the Anacostia Watershed in DC, Prince George’s County, and Montgomery County

Apply For The 2026 Summer River Explorers Program

The Summer River Explorers Program is a free program for 6th, 7th, and 8th graders who live in the Anacostia River Watershed in DC, Prince George’s County, or Montgomery County. Through this explorative, outdoor recreational and educational experience, students learn about their river and local environment, while developing skills in team building, critical thinking, and scientific investigation.

The Summer River Explorers Program is held the last week of June. 2026 Program dates coming soon.

On these days we will meet from 9:30am to 3:30pm. The program meets at various public parks along the Anacostia River such as Bladensburg Waterfront Park, Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, and Anacostia Park. From our meeting location, we will venture out together for various recreational and educational activities along the Anacostia River. Activities increase environmental awareness and give students the opportunity to take positive action to help improve their environment, as well as increase outdoor engagement. Activities may include boat tours, trash cleanups, wetland plantings, visits to community parks, mussel restoration, fishing, canoeing, etc.

Program Themes Include:

• Exploring the Anacostia Watershed
  • This day is focused on exploring the components of a watershed and how the surrounding watershed impacts the Anacostia river. Students will be introduced to the Anacostia river through hands-on experiences such as canoeing and motorized boating on the river focused on watershed history and human impacts! 
• Becoming an Anacostia River Scientist
  • This day is focused on environmental science and Anacostia River restoration. At Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, part of the National Park Service, students will actively investigate the health of the Anacostia River by conducting water quality tests and searching for animals in the watershed.
• Diving into the Anacostia River Community
  • This day is focused on connecting the students with the Anacostia community by exploring different community-centered activities such as fishing and participating in environmental activities with groups such as the Friends of Anacostia Park and the Aquatic Resources Education Center.

Additional Information:

We ask that families only apply if they feel they can make a commitment to the program, barring unforeseen circumstances. Some exceptions to missing a session may be granted (e.g., school testing, sickness, COVID-19, etc.). If interested in applying for the 2026 summer program, please complete the application and submit per the instructions at the end of the application. If you have any questions, please contact Kendra Bierman, Director of Education and Outreach.

Wondering if you live in the Anacostia River Watershed?

Take a look at this map. If you live within the pink boundary, you’re eligible to apply!

Bad Weather Plan

AWS educators monitor the weather and have an action plan ready. Participants will be notified via email and a phone call if a program day is cancelled due to inclement weather. If that does happen we will aim to reschedule for that week’s rain date.

The ‘American Shad – Schools in Schools’ program is a three-part educational experience that connects students with hands-on restoration work which engages them in local conservation efforts. Students will not only be supporting the restoration of American shad, a native fish, but will also be able to better understand their role in protecting our native ecosystems. Like all of AWS’ environmental education programs, it provides students with the opportunity to be involved in positive solutions to local issues.

American shad is an anadromous species, which means the fish migrate from the sea to freshwater streams and rivers to spawn. The fish fell victim to the neglect and mistreatment of the Anacostia River, and the numbers of this fish dwindled. Subsequently, our Schools in Schools program was launched, where students raise shad fry (juvenile fish) from eggs in their classroom.

As a part of the Schools in Schools Shad program, students will gain an understanding of watershed dynamics, how our actions on the land impact our waterways, the ecological role of American shad, the shad life cycle, role in our local history, shad decline due to overfishing, habitat loss and pollution, and ultimate rebound through conservation efforts. 

Students raise shad fry (juvenile fish) from eggs in their classrooms, in hatcheries provided by the Anacostia Watershed Society, and shad fry provided by Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Using microscopes, students observe the fish hatch, monitor the water quality of the hatchery, and learn about the fish’s life cycle and development during the course of the week. At the end of the week, students release the shad fry into the Anacostia River, where the fish will return as adults to spawn.

Over 1300 American Shad fry are released into the river through this program annually. 

Program at a Glance

• Engages students in Washington, D.C. in restoration efforts by raising American Shad in the classroom
• Offered February – May annually
• Includes a class visit and intro class led by AWS educators
• Includes a boat tour of the Anacostia River and a shad “release day” at Anacostia Park in Washington, D.C.
• Aligned with Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) for 4th grade; but it can and has been easily adapted for other grades and ages.
• Includes professional development training for all participating teachers.

Video. Anacostia Watershed Claymation

2009 video made by a 2nd grade class from Thomson Elementary explaining what they learned about the Shad and the Anacostia Watershed.

More Information

For more information about this program, please contact our Director of Education and Outreach, Kendra Bierman at [email protected].

To learn more about American shad and the Schools in Schools program please check out this blog post.

Our Watershed Explorers Experiences are single day sessions which engage students in a variety of watershed restoration and health themes. These single day student experiences are built to provide hands-on lessons for students to form a deeper connection to the Anacostia Watershed.

For school visit sessions AWS educators will visit your school to work with your students. We can visit more than one class period and spend up to one full day at your school

Field experiences will take place at one of our programming locations-Bladensburg Waterfront Park, Anacostia park, or Kingman/Heritage Islands; with most trips occurring at Bladensburg Waterfront Park. These programs are free of charge with donations accepted. 

 Educators can choose from our menu of school based classes or field sessions. *Recommended levels can be modified for other ages/class levels.

Watershed Explorers- School Visits

PROGRAM: Watershed Stewards Class Visit

• Watershed Demonstration
• School yard trash clean up and evaluation

Students gain an understanding of what a watershed is and pollution impacts within the Anacostia Watershed. Students participate in hands-on activities to protect their watershed and the Anacostia River.  

• Recommended Level: 1st-12th
• Time of Year: Sept-June

National Standards Alignment Examples:

• 3-LS4-4: Make a claim about the merit of a solution to a problem caused when the environment changes and the types of plants and animals that live there may change
• 4-ESS3-2: Generate and compare multiple solutions to reduce the impacts of natural Earth processes on humans
• 5-ESS3-1: Obtain and combine information about ways individual communities use science ideas to protect the Earth’s resources and environment.
• MS-LS2-4: Construct an argument supported by empirical evidence that changes to physical or biological components of an ecosystem affect populations.

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PROGRAM: Solutions to Pollution

• Build a trash trap model

Students learn about pollution issues in the Anacostia Watershed and local solutions to those issues. Students explore how community action, plants, education, and engineered solutions are helping the Anacostia River

• Recommended Level: 6th-12th
• Time of Year: Sept-June

National Standards Alignment Examples:

• MS-LS2-4: Construct an argument supported by empirical evidence that changes to physical or biological components of an ecosystem affect populations. 
• HS-LS2-2: Use mathematical representations to support and revise explanations based on evidence about factors affecting biodiversity and populations in ecosystems of different scales.

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Watershed Explorers- Field Trips

The Treating & Teaching program is a collaborative partnership between the Anacostia Watershed Society, Clean Water Partnership (CWP), Low Impact Development Center, Prince George’s County Public Schools and many programmatic and design/build partners. The program transforms school yard spaces into outdoor learning spaces and stormwater mitigation spaces through the implementation of outdoor classrooms and Best Management Practices (BMPs) such as rain gardens, biorientation areas,permeable pavement etc. Launched in 2016, this innovative program connects stormwater management solutions with student learning and environmental literacy curricula. 

AWS leads the curricular and programmatic opportunities for the program in partnership with other environmental education groups such as the Maryland Association of Environmental and Outdoor Education, The William S Schmidt Outdoor Education Center, and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. 

The “Teaching” side of the Treating and Teaching program connects schools with the resources to embed or increase watershed health and outdoor learning curriculum. 

Resulting in:

• Increased understanding of stormwater runoff and the threat it poses to local waterways across the district as well as local solutions
• Professional Development for teachers to ensure both curricular integration, as well as sustainability of built projects
• Student opportunities to explore stormwater pollution reduction practices and improve environmental literacy
• Resources to support continued curriculum integration of watershed wellness topics

Participating schools receive:

• Stormwater Mitigation BMP installations in the school yard
• An outdoor learning classroom
• Professional development for teachers to learn how to use the new outdoor classroom space and connect students to the natural spaces at their school and environmental literacy topics
• Intro to stormwater pollution and mitigation class session led by AWS educators
• Student field trip opportunities to explore their watershed. 
• Funding for resources that advance environmental literacy.

Schools are key sites for stormwater management projects because they have large parking lots and roof tops that create a high volume of stormwater runoff. Schools are also central hubs for citizens and students, making them ideal demonstration sites for public awareness. Therefore, schools provide a unique opportunity for Prince George’s County to connect the stormwater projects installed on school grounds with the environmental curriculum that supports the State’s Environmental Literacy graduation requirement.

Program Partners:

• The Clean Water Partnership 
• Prince George’s County Public Schools William S. Schmidt Center
• Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education
• Chesapeake Bay Foundation
• Low Impact Development Center
• Neighborhood Design Center
• Bradley Site Design
• PG Department of the Environment

More Information

For more information about this program, please contact our Director of Education and Outreach, Kendra Bierman, at [email protected]. 

The Anacostia Watershed Society aims to empower watershed residents to be educated stewards of the Anacostia River and surrounding watershed. Our adult education programs allow for participants to engage with their watershed in a meaningful way, learn about historic and current watershed impacts and restorative actions, explore local flora and fauna, and develop watershed health projects and initiatives within their own communities. 

Anacostia Watershed Society adult education programs include both classroom and field-based classes, as well as stewardship project implementation and service learning. Throughout their course of study, participants engage in various restoration projects that benefit the Anacostia Watershed.

AWS currently offers two adult education courses: Watershed Stewards Academy and the Master Naturalist Program.

The Anacostia Watershed Society engages K-12 students from Maryland and D.C. in comprehensive learning programs that benefit the Anacostia River and its watershed communities. 

Students and teachers participate in watershed education lessons, field experiences on the river, and hands-on restoration activities, such as: community clean-ups, water quality testing, wetland seeding, tree plantings, schoolyard greening and exploration projects, and native fish and mussel population restoration.

Through our watershed experiences and MWEEs (Meaningful Watershed Education Experiences), students are actively involved in positive solutions to local issues. Our standards aligned experiences allow students to deepen their academic skills and make locally relevant connections by integrating classroom education with real-world experiences. These environmental literacy experiences strengthen students’ critical and analytical thinking, scientific reasoning and problem solving, civic engagement and stewardship, social and emotional learning, and connection to nature.

Students also exercise creative skills by participating in design competitions, such as the Mussel Comic Competition and the Mussel T-Shirt Design Competition. Check out this  PGCPS Mussel Comic Competition winner, Kierra Dubose from Laurel High School.

We are dedicated to providing our watershed education experiences, free of charge, to under-resourced schools with reduced access to environmental literacy programming. We work with teachers to ensure that the program content and overall message is relevant to the students and the communities in which they live.

Our school-based education programs are aligned with Next Generation Science Standards and tailored to district standards and educator needs.