Please join Groundwork Hudson Valley (if you are in the neighborhood) on Sunday, May 11th, from 10 am to 1 pm with their on-going battle against the vines that are killing native trees and taking over the river habitat! Meet at the restoration site at Farragut Avenue and Saw Mill River Road. Hope to see you there!

Upcoming Dates for Your Calendars:

Saturday, March 16 — Vine Cutting
Sunday, April 14 — Vine Cutting
Saturday, May 11 — Great Saw Mill River Clean-up & Riverkeeper Hudson River & Tributaries Clean-up

Check out Groundwork Hudson Valley for more info.

A trail connecting two communities!
The Vado Park and Trail is utilized by both the Vado and Del Cerro communities. These two communities played an important role in the Vado Project. The residents worked together and identified the need for recreational space in their communities. With Groundwork Dona Ana’s guidance and assistance, this community was able to make the Vado Park and Trail a reality.

Event Overview:
• Hear from the key partners in the Vado Project!
• Interact with the Vado Community!
• Join the Vado Elementary students in a walking relay!
• Have fun!

Check out Groundwork Dona Ana for more info.

Check out more about Groundwork Denver!

Please contact Wendy Hawthorne, Executive Director, for more information at 303-455-5600. Check out the press release here for more information about the lawsuit, settlement and benefits. FINAL Cherokee Settlement Press Release

The Anacostia River
RESTORYING THE ANACOSTIA RIVER (USA, 2011, 10 min.) How would you describe the Anacostia River? This film makes a compelling case that the best way to serve the continuing clean up of the Anacostia River is to change how we talk about it. The hope is that by changing the story of the Anacostia from that of a dirty, polluted mess to that of a valuable, beautiful wild place that is an asset to the community, an unconscious shift will take place, resulting in the community at large taking a greater role in the protection of the river. This film is part of American University’s Community Voice Project http://www.american.edu/soc/communityvoice/ Directed by Emma Boorboor. with Danny Peters and Rasheda Kahn

RIVERSTORIES Polluted and degraded, the Anacostia became a monument of environmental neglect. But for those who know the river and all its troubles, the Anacostia has inspired hopes and dreams, culture and community and remarkable human stories. Nina Shapiro-Perl, Filmmaker-in-Residence and director of the Community Voice Project at the American University School of Communication, and the Anacostia Community Museum began a partnership to document the stories of people of southeast Washington who engage with the river. And as the stories show, many people engage — in many ways. (–Ali Kahn, American University, American Today)

MAKING DO WITH WHAT YOU HAVE: A DIGITAL STORY BY FRANCIS WHEELER (USA, 2011, 4 min.) Francis Wheeler recalls growing up black and poor in southeast D.C. with all the riches of a clean river and a bounty of fish.

SHARIFA BY KALIN WILLIAMS (USA, 2011, 5 min.) Senegal native Kalin Williams is working to build sustainable “transition” communities through her nonprofit.
THE DIGITAL STORY OF GABE HORCHLER (USA, 2011, 5 min.) River rat Gabe Horchler, law librarian at the Library of Congress, commutes to work each day on the Anacostia River, in his boat.

SMALL MOMENTS: A DIGITAL STORY BY VAUGHN PERRY (USA, 2011, 6 min.) Vaughan Perry found his passion while volunteering with Groundwork Anacostia and connecting young people with their environment.
Discussion with Nina Shapiro-Perl, Filmmaker-in-Residence at the American University School of Communication; Mike Bolinder, Anacostia Riverkeeper; James Foster, President, Anacostia Watershed Society moderated by Tony Thompson, Education Program Coordinator, Anacostia Community Museum follows the screenings.