About Anacostia watershed society
The Anacostia Watershed Society: Protecting and Restoring the Anacostia River
The Anacostia Watershed Society (AWS) is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to protecting and restoring the Anacostia River and its surrounding communities. The organization was founded in 1989 by a group of concerned citizens who were alarmed by the pollution and degradation of the river. Since then, AWS has been working tirelessly to stop pollution, restore natural systems, and reconnect the Washington DC community to this vital waterway.
The Anacostia River is an important tributary of the Potomac River that flows through Maryland and Washington DC. It covers an area of approximately 176 square miles, with a length of about 8.4 miles from its headwaters in Maryland to its confluence with the Potomac River at Hains Point in Washington DC. The river has been severely impacted by human activities such as industrialization, urbanization, agriculture, transportation, sewage treatment plants, stormwater runoff, littering and dumping.
As a result of these activities over many decades, the river has become one of America's most polluted waterways. The water quality is poor due to high levels of bacteria from sewage overflows; toxic chemicals from industrial discharges; heavy metals from urban runoff; excess nutrients from fertilizers; sedimentation from erosion; trash accumulation on shorelines; invasive species like phragmites reeds choking out native plants along banks - all contributing factors that have led to degraded habitat for fish & wildlife populations.
To address these issues head-on AWS works on several fronts:
Stopping Pollution Now
AWS works closely with local governments at all levels (federal/state/local) as well as businesses & industries within their watershed area - providing technical assistance & education programs aimed at reducing pollution sources into their streams/rivers/tributaries leading into Anacostia watershed areas.
Restoring Natural Systems
AWS also focuses on restoring natural systems within their watershed area - including wetlands restoration projects which help filter pollutants before they enter streams/rivers/tributaries leading into Anacostia watershed areas.
Reconnecting Communities To The River
Finally AWS aims at reconnecting communities back to their rivers through various outreach programs such as environmental education programs for schools/youth groups/adults alike or hosting events like cleanups or paddling trips downriver so people can experience firsthand what it means when we say "we are all connected" when it comes down our watersheds!
In addition to these core initiatives AWS also engages in research projects aimed at better understanding how best practices can be implemented across different sectors (e.g., agriculture vs industry) while also advocating for stronger policies/regulations around environmental protection measures needed throughout our region's watersheds!
Overall AWS' mission statement remains clear: "To protect and restore the Anacostia River and its watershed communities by stopping pollution now , restoring natural systems ,and reconnecting Washington DC community back towards this vital resource."
If you're interested in learning more about how you can get involved with this amazing organization please visit www.anacostiaws.org today!