Fauna and Flora Findings in the Anacostia River and Watershed – Part 1
The Anacostia River and surrounding watershed abounds with magnificent fauna (animals) and flora (plants)! Over the September 11-13, 2026 weekend, the Anacostia Watershed Society (AWS) led our 10th annual Bioblitz. A bioblitz is a biological survey of species present and discovered over a certain period of time. In this most recent bioblitz, 1,043 species were observed by 280 observers (AWS staff, community scientists, and others). Eleven reptile species were observed, including the Rough Green Snake! Twenty species of fish and fifty species of arachnids (e.g., spiders) were observed. Monarch butterflies were the third most observed species. Some species are a little harder to find due to several factors, including their habitat or, for animals, when they are most active. A tremendous free resource for learning about some of the species that live locally is AWS’s A Beginners Field Guide to the Plants and Animals of the Anacostia River Watershed. It is also available in Spanish. This year, SEA will dive into investigating the many animal and plant species that live among us. We will visit the Aquatic Education Resources Center and get on the water with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation to get an up-close look at aquatic species that live in and near the Anacostia River. We will go on a birding hike on Kingman Island. We will explore the Arboretum’s native plant garden, work in an urban garden, and help with a native tree planting to learn about native flora. Get ready to become a “SEA Species Specialist” and have a lot of fun along the way!
Fall 2026 Semester Schedule
October 3, 2026
Get to know the other SEA students and staff, help form SEA expectations, and learn about our theme at this kick-off session! Explore connections to our theme as we head to the National Arboretum native plant garden, and more, in this unique spot, filled with flora (and fauna!), along the Anacostia River.
October 10, 2026
Visit the Aquatic Resources Education Center in Anacostia Park! Get an up-close look at some fauna species (fish, amphibians, reptiles, and invertebrates) that live in our river and watershed. We will also investigate the wonders of watersheds to learn more about what they are and how our actions impact them.
October 17, 2026
Head to Kingman Island for a birding hike with a DC Bird Alliance guide and our very own SEA student and Bird Guide Extraordinaire! Along with identifying birds, we’ll see what other fauna and flora we can observe, and then participate in Kingman Island’s Friends & Family Day activities led by the DC Department of Energy and Environment.
October 24, 2026
Take a boat trip with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation on the Anacostia and Potomac Rivers! While aboard CBF’s research workboat, we’ll test water quality, perform plankton studies, trawl for fish (with a special education permit) and then release, and learn about the local features that impact the ecological integrity of the surrounding waterways and the fauna and flora that live in it.
October 31, 2026
Dig into some urban gardening with City Blossoms at a middle school in the Anacostia watershed. We’ll identify, plant, and harvest some local flora (including some edible ones!), as well as do some other hands-on garden activities like weeding, mulching, watering. We may also do an art project in the garden.
November 7, 2026
Explore the ecology of the Anacostia River by Buzzard Point! Pull on some waders or boots provided because our feet will get wet! We’ll help collect and identify freshwater mussels, sponges, and other aquatic species alongside Anacostia Watershed Society Restoration Team members. This action-oriented community scientist activity will be a fantastic, fun way to culminate our fall program!
Saturday Environmental Academy
The 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.
