Potomac Conservancy Launches $8M Campaign for River Restoration

The Potomac Conservancy has launched an $8 million public fundraising campaign to restore the Potomac River.

Through its Clean Water—Healthy Communities campaign, the downtown Silver Spring nonprofit seeks to dramatically increase the pace and scale of land and water protection in the Potomac River region.

The campaign’s goals include:

  • Protecting 20,000 additional acres of streamside forests;
  • Reforesting the Potomac River region with over 3,000 new trees;
  • Doubling the number of clean water supporters to 65,000; and
  • Securing state funding for critical land protections in Virginia.

The Potomac River provides drinking water to over five million people, supports the local economy, and offers a habitat for diverse wildlife. Despite recent improvements, the Potomac Conservancy rates the river as unsafe for swimming and fishing, giving it a grade of B—in its latest River Report Card, up from a D in 2011.

The nonprofit plans to update the River Report Card in the spring of 2025. Currently, it identifies deforestation, climate extremes, and urban polluted runoff as the top threats to the river’s health.

“Potomac Conservancy is committed to environmental justice and empowering historically marginalized communities to protect, restore, and enjoy our river,” said Lana Wong, founder of D.C. arts nonprofit the Shootback Project. “We all want clean water, safe and accessible experiences, and thriving ecosystems. Their programs provide a critical avenue for all residents to make a difference.”

More information about the Clean Water — Healthy Communities campaign can be found online at potomac.org.

Photo: © Aevan – stock.adobe.com

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