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Anacostia Watershed Society

Our Work

staff of aws in front of maryland legislature building, holding signs

Public Advocacy

AWS works with local, district, state, and federal governments to advocate for laws, regulations, and policies that prevent pollution, advance climate resilience, and promote river restoration.

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Restoration Projects

Our staff and volunteers are in the field almost every day, working alongside natural resource agencies, academic institutions, and other local and regional conservation groups, monitoring water quality and trash pollution, restoring wildlife and plant populations, planting trees and removing invasive species, and promoting habitat restoration projects across the watershed.

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Education & Community Outreach

AWS engages residents of all ages in hands-on education programs where participants become part of an ongoing effort to protect and restore the Anacostia River and its watershed communities.

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Volunteerism & Recreation

AWS provides exciting opportunities for watershed residents to understand, protect, and enjoy the Anacostia River.

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Our Impact

A Healthier River Starts With You

The Anacostia Watershed Society has over 35 years of proven success in advancing the protection and restoration of our watershed. However, current environmental and climate risks threaten the health and livelihood of all who live here. With your gift, our transformational restoration, education, advocacy, and community connection efforts will continue to ensure a safe, healthy, and equitably accessible natural environment and grow our influence throughout the region and beyond.

The Vital Importance of Partnership

We envision an ambitious agenda of action to conserve and restore the Anacostia watershed. We are ready to take it on. It’s what we do. But achieving a restored, climate resilient Anacostia watershed is a big job, and we can’t do it alone. Partnerships will be key, partnerships with local communities and governments, partnerships with federal, district, and state agencies and academic institutions, with schools, houses of worship, businesses, local activist groups, and fellow non-governmental organizations.

95%

Reduction in sewage into the Anacostia from DC combined sewer overflow.

1580+

Tons of trash removed from the watershed.

214K+

People engaged in programming, including 85,000 participants in environmental education.

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Make a Difference

Your donation will help us restore and protect the Anacostia Watershed.

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Our work is social, not just environmental

The history of the Anacostia River is one of environmental and racial injustice. From the displacement of the indigenous Anacostanck people to the disproportionate burden of environmental hazards shouldered by DC’s Black community, today’s renewal efforts must honor the past, right injustices in the present, and help ensure a more equitable future for all.

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