Spring into Equity in the Anacostia Watershed

River Terrace Park, Anacostia River Walk Trail March 2021

As we spring into the Springtime season there are a lot of events and activities where you can get engaged in the parks and waters of the Anacostia Watershed, and decision-making about these civic resources! APACC would like to say Happy Women’s History Month, and a big thank you to all of the diverse women and particularly the unsung heroes organizing and working to make the Anacostia Watershed and the communities within it better for everyone!!!!

Virtual Events and Videos

APACC was able to sponsor 20 members and community partners to participate in this year’s Taking Nation Black Conference coordinated by the Audubon Naturalist Society. If you weren’t able to plug in live, check out video recordings of the sessions and especially the Keynote by our own Akiima Price, and our very own Brenda Richardson on the “Black Women & Forestry in the 21st Century” Panel.

The Smithsonian Anacostia Museum will be hosting in honor of Women’s History Month four virtual community forums as part of its Women’s Environmental Leadership (WEL) initiative. “Who is really bearing the burden of the effects of climate change? Panelists will discuss some of the specific impacts of climate injustice on daily life, the development of “climate literate” communities, and the possible forms these communities can take”. Register to participate in these virtual sessions here.

The public comment period for the Kenilworth Landfill Clean-up Alternatives decision closed on March 12th, and APACC sponsored a community Q & A with National Park Service (NPS) CERCLA manager Donna Davies, the NPS CERCLA contractor, and representatives from the District’s Department of Parks & Rec, and Dept of Energy and the Environment. To review the recording of this Q & A session, check out the video on our youtube page and subscribe to our channel for regular video content updates.

Are you a person of color looking to engage in affinity spaces for leaders working in environmental and nature-based work and activities? Check out the free PGM ONE virtual affinity convenings each month!

Do you have questions about COVID-19 and the Vaccine options? Check out the free virtual “Ask the Doc” zoom virtual series every Tuesday from 6:30-7:30 PM. To get the link and to rsvp to these sessions email info@grapevinehealth.co

Do you love trees? Help us celebrate 2021 Arbor Day through poetry. DDOT's Urban Forestry Division is launching DC's first ever all-ages Poe-Tree Contest. Any style will do, the only requirement is that all poems are original work AND highlight a benefit that trees provide. Prizes include: a tree planting at a school or park of your choice, recycled urban wood bench installed at a school or park of your choice, and a pop-up arboretum at the DPR park of your choice. Runner-up prizes for each category include tree cookies made from recycled city trees.

All poetry must be submitted by April 23rd to be eligible for prizes. Winning entries will be announced on Arbor Day, April 30th (also the last day of National Poetry Month!). Learn more and submit your Poe-Tree here: https://forms.gle/dLyDgPDpJXWkz6Jg6

Up coming In-Person Events and Activities

Have you heard about the Ward 8 Water Watchers? This collaboration between The Green Scheme, Friends of Oxon Run, The Well at Oxon Run, and the Audubon Naturalist Society will host events to get folks engaged in education and advocacy about the health of Ward 8 waterways. Check out this cool educational video about their work! Ward 8 Water Watchers and APACC will be hanging out this Saturday March 20th for socially distanced watershed fun, come join us and register here.

Friends of Oxon Run March Events

Department of Energy and the Environment Frog Watch Citizen Science

You can contribute to amphibian conservation in your community! DOEE FrogWatch volunteers collect and submit data on calling frogs and toads at streams, ponds, and wetlands in and around the District. These important data are compiled in a national database where particpants can explore trends in frog and toad breeding across space and time. Please complete the online training before registering for a Frog Walk.

In 2021, DOEE & Living Classrooms are teaming up to provide volunteers with guided FrogWatch walks on Kingman Island. The walks will take place 30 min after sunset and will last for two hours. There will be one walk every month on the third Thursday between March and August. Pre-registration is required. To register and see the dates for Frog Watch Walks visit the website.

Are you looking for a schedule of more fun and restorative natured based activities and clean up events for the whole family to participate in during the month of April? Check out our calendar for regularly updated community events in a park near you!

Green Jobs & Workforce Training!!!!!!!

Check out this awesome opportunity for paid Green Infrastructure Virtual Training and Certification. Sign up here for the virtual orientation to find out more about the online course.

APACC Collaborative Policy Organizing

Are you and/or your organization currently working on or interested in developing D..C policies on zero waste initiatives (such as enhanced recycling and waste diversion legislation), or equitable and comprehensive urban planning for Ward 7 & 8? Join APACC’s monthly policy working group every 2md Tuesday of the Month @ 3pm on Zoom. Contact sturner@cleanwater.org for the zoom link.