North american river otter photo by Veit, CC BY-SA 2.0
Visit our Take Action page to find out how you can best protect our region’s lands and local waterways!
The Eastern box turtle may not move fast, but it has a lasting impact. Found across the eastern US, including our neck of the woods, this small, land-dwelling turtle supports healthy forests through its feeding habits and movement across the region. Your Potomac River 2026 Critter of the Year is a reminder that even the smallest critters in our ecosystems have a major role in its health!
When viewed through a lens that considers its cultural, historical, and ecological roles, it’s no mystery why the Potomac River has been both a gathering place and a rallying point for generations.
The region’s leading clean water advocate, fighting to ensure the Potomac River boasts clean drinking water, healthy lands, and connected communities.
Potomac Conservancy
4500 East-West Highway, Suite 150
Bethesda, MD 20814
Call: (301) 608-1188
EIN: 52-1842501
Potomac Conservancy is a nationally accredited land trust and clean water leader in the Potomac River region. We’re committed to restoring the Potomac to full health for the five million people who rely on the river for drinking water and outdoor enjoyment. We improve local water quality through land conservation initiatives that effectively stop pollution from entering our streams and tributaries. Our impassioned base of 42,000 supporters empowers us to protect and expand streamside forests, pass water protection laws, and restore local shorelines.
The connectors across our regions, bridges, have their own unique history to tell. Find out about these 5 bridges around the Potomac River region and how they’ve supported our communities for decades