At Anacostia Watershed Society, we know that lasting environmental literacy comes from hands-on experiences with nature that directly involve the students of all ages in meaningful restoration and protection. We’ve seen first hand the sustained impact of environmental education experiences that are designed to not only equip people with knowledge of their local environment, but also involve them in solutions and initiatives that seek to solve local environmental issues in their communities. These experiences are the backbone of AWS’s environmental education philosophy. Each year we engage over 9,000 youth learners in our programming and resources, and over 4,000 adult learners in our educational opportunities.
These students help to release thousands of freshwater mussels and American Shad fry, plant trees and wetland plants, and clean up trash in our community spaces. As a result, students leave these programs and experiences as life-long environmental stewards, empowering others to take action.
The Anacostia River needs champions like these students. When the Clean Water Act was passed in 1972, the Anacostia River had been all but destroyed, a dumping ground poisoned with toxic pollution. From its founding in 1989, the Anacostia Watershed Society has pursued the bold vision of a restored and vibrant Anacostia River, and today the Anacostia continues to improve thanks to the thousands of dedicated students and community members who care for the health of our watershed.
Click below to learn more about our K-12 school-based programs, Out of School programming, and our adult education programs.
