Celebrating 30 Years of Protecting the Potomac River
Where it all started
It’s been said that to know where you’re going, you have to know where you’ve been. Take a walk down memory lane and discover some important milestones and achievements that our supporters made possible. Thank you!
1992
Concerned by inappropriate development, clear cutting, and other activities that were having a negative impact on the unspoiled character of the Mather Gorge, the Canoe Cruisers Association (CCA) devises a strategy to stabilize these development trends and forever protect the essential character of the Gorge landscape. The CCA forms an ad hoc Potomac Gorge Preservation Committee — the predecessor to Potomac Conservancy.
1993
It became clear a qualified legal entity was needed to hold conservation easements and to monitor them over time. The committee transforms into a nonprofit land trust, now known as Potomac Conservancy. The Conservancy was incorporated on August 24, 1993 in Maryland as a nonprofit corporation.
1994
Potomac Conservancy places its first conservation easement on Minnehaha Island, donated by the Midriver Club. We now hold over 80 conservation easements throughout the region, protecting more than 15,000 acres of wild places. Learn more about our land protection efforts >
1999
The Conservancy hosts its first Potomac River Cleanup with over 100 volunteers. Since then, more than 44,000 volunteers have donated their time for clean water. Volunteer and get your hands dirty for clean water!
2001
Volunteers attend the first annual Growing Native seed collection. We have donated over 41,000 pounds of native seeds to state nurseries for future tree plantings.
2001
Potomac Conservancy stewards the River Center at Lock 8, beginning a 15-year partnership with the C&O Canal National Historical Park.
2005
The Catalogue for Philanthropy recognizes Potomac Conservancy as one of Washington, DC’s best nonprofits, a distinction we still hold today. (2005-2022)
2007
Potomac Conservancy releases the first State of the Nation’s River report and grades the river’s health a D+. See if the grade has changed at www.potomacreportcard.org.
2008
The Conservancy helps K-12 students plant trees on school grounds across Frederick County, MD. In just seven years, students plant over 6,400 new trees.
2010
Land Trust Alliance recognizes Potomac Conservancy as an accredited land trust.
2010
Over 5,000 local residents urge Congress to fund research on endocrine disrupting chemicals in the Potomac. To date, we’ve mobilized 15,180 clean water activists.
2013
Potomac Conservancy and local conservation partners help pass two, precedent-setting laws to protect roadside trees and increase the tree canopy in Montgomery County, Maryland. Learn more about our Clean Water Advocacy efforts in the region.
2014
The Conservancy launches our Paddle the Potomac series, inspiring over 1,300 local residents to get their feet wet and have fun on their hometown river. Visit our Events Page to sign up for our summer Paddle series!
2015
Over 6,300 local residents sign our petition calling on Trump National Golf Course to replace the 450 trees it clear-cut along the Potomac River.
2015
Potomac Conservancy purchases White Horse Mountain, halting construction plans on a 1,700-acre riverside forest in West Virginia.
2016
The Conservancy and our allies successfully advocate for $78 million in state funding for Virginia farmers, providing critical resources for best management practices that protect stream health. Learn more about our Clean Water Advocacy priorities >
2018
In the 2018 State of the Nation’s River report, the Potomac earns a B, its best health grade in ten years. In response, the Washington Post Editorial Board calls on Congress to defend the region’s clean water funding.
photo courtesy of william macfarland, www.macfarlandphoto.net
2018
Potomac Conservancy transfers ownership of White Horse Mountain to the state of West Virginia. The new park opened in fall 2018 to the public for hiking, bird-watching, and other recreational activities allowed within the site’s conservation goals. Learn more about White Horse Mountain >
2019
The Conservancy helps Frederick County enact the strongest forest protection laws in Maryland through online grassroots organizing. Learn more about our Clean Water Advocacy work here >
2020
Potomac Conservancy launches a Volunteer Leadership Team to hold more community cleanups and amplify our impact. Learn more about how you can become a volunteer leader here >
2021
The Conservancy publishes Rising to the Challenge, the Potomac River region’s first comprehensive climate report, recommending solutions that combat the climate crisis and advance environmental equity.
photo courtesy of william macfarland, www.macfarlandphoto.net
2022
Potomac Conservancy creates $345,000 in revolving project funds to empower family farms across the watershed to protect their streams and lands forever. Learn more about our Land Protection program here >
2022
After going dormant for a time, Potomac Conservancy relaunches its annual acorn collection program (formerly Growing Native) to meet high-demand tree supplies in the region. Now called Tomorrow’s Trees, the community-powered program mobilizes volunteers to collect acorns and tree seeds from local species and donates them to reforestation programs.
2023
As a lead coalition partner, Potomac Conservancy and our allies successfully passed two historic tree protection laws to stop reckless forest loss. With the force of local activists behind us, lawmakers voted to approve significant updates to the Maryland Forest Conservation Act and the Montgomery County Forest Conservation Law. The laws will not just stop forest loss, but ensure our region experiences a net gain in tree cover in the coming years and decades.
2023
Potomac Conservancy released its latest Potomac River Report Card and graded the health of local waters a “B,” a drastic improvement from a dismal “D,” just 12 years ago. Our findings received wide media coverage from The Washington Post, WAMU, Politico, News4, Fox5, and more outlets. The report dives into what is going right and what work remains to return swimmable and fishable waters to the Potomac River. Learn more at www.potomacreportcard.org.
More about Potomac Conservancy
Potomac Conservancy is the region’s leading clean water advocate, fighting to ensure the Potomac River boasts clean drinking water, healthy lands, and vibrant communities. The Conservancy combines the grassroots power of over 31,000 supporters and online activists with local conservation and advocacy initiatives.
The Conservancy is registered in the District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia, and is an easement holder in Maryland's Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program. The organization is a sponsoring member of the Land Trust Alliance (LTA), and has formally adopted the LTA's Standards and Practices for its own policies and procedures. Potomac Conservancy received formal accreditation in 2010 by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission.
Learn more about Potomac Conservancy's current activities by visiting our Healthy Lands, Clean Water Advocacy, and Community Conservation pages!
