16 amazing outdoor date spots in the Potomac River region
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Take your partner on a date like no other. These local destinations are full of outdoor whimsy, historic charm, and thrilling adventure! What's not to love?
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15 **more** tips for getting outside in the cold (and loving it!)
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Not keen on spending too much time outside in the winter? It’s OK—we know it can feel rather dreary out there. But there are so many benefits to enjoying the outdoors even when it’s cold!
From bundling habits to outdoor education to fun recreation, these tips will help you get outside, LOVE IT, and look forward to doing it again soon!
Read More15 tips for getting outside this winter
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All of us need the mental and physical health benefits of getting outside—yes, even in the winter. How can you take advantage of the cold outdoors without it feeling like a chore?
Check out this list of how to prepare for cold weather, new activities to try, wildlife you can only spot in the winter, and even how to make a difference for your local community.
Read MoreFlying south for the winter? These birds did it first
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You’re not the only one yearning for warmer weather! Check out where these local birds migrate to avoid the winter chill.
Read MoreA Day in the Life: Avery Siler, our Director of Land Conservation
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Meet Avery Siler, an amazing member of Team Potomac who’s passionate about protecting the Potomac River’s lands and its benefits for clean water, wildlife habitat, and public health.
Read MoreRing in the new year with these 5 resolutions to help protect the Potomac River
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Happy new year! Celebrate 2023 by committing to these river-friendly and self-care resolutions in your daily life.
Read MoreHow the Potomac River shapes local wildlife
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From aquatic life deep underwater to majestic birds soaring overhead, and every living thing in between, there's one thing these animals all have in common: they consider the Potomac their home.
Learn more about some of the amazing species that live in and around the river, and ways you can help defend them against pollution, habitat loss, and the climate crisis.
A Day in the Life: Weyessa McAlister, our Director of Community Conservation
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Team Potomac is small but mighty! Meet Weyessa, our Director of Community Conservation: DC Metro, whose passion for clean water led him to co-found a nonprofit that builds wells in his native Ethiopia and mobilize our local communities to protect the Potomac River. Learn more about what drives Weyessa and what his job looks like here at the Conservancy!
Read More10 tips for a river-friendly holiday season
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Ah, the holidays. It’s one of our favorite times of year. But December can also be—dare we say it—a rather wasteful month. Let’s make this holiday season a tad greener this year! Check out 10 simple tips and tricks from our staff for a memorable, river-friendly holiday season.
Read MoreIt’s a wrap! Results from our acorn collection season
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Our local community got nuts for clean water this fall, collecting thousands of pounds of indigenous tree nuts that will be grown into future forests. Learn more about how you can help defend clean water by getting involved with Tomorrow’s Trees next season!
Read MoreLand protection in the Shenandoah Valley is getting a $4.5M boost
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The Shenandoah Valley is home to the pristine headwaters of the Potomac River. But for its tight-knit communities, poorly planned encroaching development is an increasing worry to both the region’s ecological health and its long tradition of agricultural and forest economy.
Learn more about the importance of conserving land in the Shenandoah Valley and how Potomac Conservancy and local partners work to protect the Potomac’s upstream lands forever.
Read MoreHow the Potomac shaped our society and economy
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The Potomac River has always played an important role in the nation’s economy and politics, but balancing profit and growth with the health of the river and community proved difficult for a developing United States.
Learn more about the Potomac’s economic and geopolitical influence throughout history—and the lingering environmental consequences of exploitative industries—so we can continue to fight for more protections for the river and move into a sustainable future.
Read MoreQUIZ: Name that nut! Test your local tree ID skills
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Our local trees don't just deliver a treat in the form of fall foliage this time of year. They also cover the ground in their acorns and seeds, which are more important to clean water than you might realize. Test your nut knowledge and find out how you can help re-forest the Potomac River region!
Read MoreUp Top Acres’ farms are firmly planted on DC roofs
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Rooftop farms provide many amazing benefits to their urban communities—and DC is not an exception! They improve air quality, reduce the urban heat island effect, insulate buildings, and provide amenities to the city’s residents. What’s more, rooftop farms serve as rainwater buffers, reducing pollution from stormwater runoff and making waves for clean water in our city!
Read MoreThank you for helping sustain the river that sustains us all
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Clean water starts with every single one of us, and our collective actions are making a difference. Read our President’s letter about how Potomac Conservancy’s forest protection, clean water advocacy, and community cleanup programs have been critical to reducing pollution and returning clean, safe waters to area streams—and how people like you are making all of this possible.
Read MoreHistory we should know: How the Potomac shaped our community
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The Potomac River has been shaping its physical surroundings for over 3 million years when it was first formed—and for thousands of years, it has played a critical role in the lives of the communities that settled along its banks. Inevitably, humans shaped the river back. Where does that leave us now?
Read MoreWhat do you know about old-growth forests?
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Healthy old-growth forests are crucial for clean water—but they can also help tackle the climate crisis. How can we help protect them?
Read MoreAnnouncing Tomorrow's Trees, a people-powered initiative to re-forest the Potomac River region
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The leaves are falling and so are the acorns!
Potomac Conservancy is rebooting and expanding our local acorn collection initiative under a new name: Tomorrow's Trees. Learn more about this exciting roots-to-rivers program and how you can tap your inner squirrel and start collecting acorns this fall.
Read MoreMontgomery County is making strides to protect its forests by introducing Bill 25-22
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In mid-September, the Montgomery County Council has introduced Bill 25-22 to significantly strengthen the county’s Forest Conservation Law, which hasn’t been updated in thirty years. On October 4, our president Hedrick Belin proudly represented our local movement for clean water at a public hearing, speaking in support of the bill and to make it even stronger.
Read MoreMontgomery County’s forests need our protection right now—so this teen took action
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Forests are essential for filtering air and water pollution, combating the climate crisis, and nurturing our well-being. Read the story of an empowered community member who decided to fight for trees, clean water, and the future of her generation!
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