ACCOKEEK, MD – On Saturday, April 6, 2024, the Alice Ferguson Foundation invites individuals of all ages, along with local businesses and organizations, to participate in the 36th Annual Potomac River Watershed Cleanup and Open House. This event underscores a community-wide effort to promote environmental health and ensure the provision of clean drinking water by clearing litter from the Potomac River and its adjacent areas.
The cleanup initiative, hosted at the Hard Bargain Farm Environmental Campus, offers a hands-on opportunity for participants to contribute directly to the welfare of their environment. “As we come together for the 36th year, the annual Potomac Cleanup continues to inspire and educate people of all ages about the importance of environmental stewardship and the impact of our collective actions,” Theresa Cullen, Executive Director of the Alice Ferguson Foundation, emphasized. She highlighted the significance of each volunteer’s effort, stating, “Each piece of trash removed from our waterways is a step towards a cleaner, healthier environment for future generations.”
Volunteers interested in joining the effort can register in advance online at fergusonfoundation.org/events or sign up on the day of the event. Students seeking to fulfill their Student Service Learning requirements will find this event particularly beneficial as participation counts towards school-mandated service hours.
The Alice Ferguson Foundation has been at the forefront of environmental stewardship since its first annual Potomac Watershed Cleanup in 1989. Over the years, the initiative has mobilized more than 175,000 volunteers and partnered with over 500 organizations to extract upwards of 8.5 million pounds of trash from the watershed. This year, organizers are hopeful that with increased participation, they can edge closer to their ambitious goal of removing 10 million pounds of litter from the Potomac River Watershed.
The event details are as follows:
- Location: Hard Bargain Farm Environmental Campus, 2201 Bryan Point Road, Accokeek, MD 20607
- Date and Time: Saturday, April 6, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
- Participants: The event is open to community residents, businesses, organizations, and environmental advocates.
In addition to the cleanup, the open house promises an engaging family experience. Attendees will have the chance to explore the Foundation’s Living Building, a model of sustainability powered by solar and geothermal energy. The open house will feature educational presentations on STEM topics, environmental education, and summer camp programs for children. Visitors can engage with the natural world through interactive displays, including macroinvertebrate examination and the chance to handle various animal artifacts.
For those unable to attend the event on April 6, additional cleanup opportunities are scheduled throughout the Potomac River Watershed, encompassing the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia. Interested parties are encouraged to find a cleanup site near them and contribute to this vital environmental cause.
