Professional Development Itineraries and Training Programs A watershed is an area of land where water collects to flow into a river, a lake, or another large body of water; we all live inside a watershed. The Washington DC Metro Region is home to great local, state and national institutions and a highly trained workforce in government, the private and nonprofit sectors of the economy.
In collaboration with local partners, the Arezza Network provides training, work study and other professional enrichment, project development and implementation programs in:
- Watershed Management - Nonprofit organization and a public-private partnerships - Community solar, green roofs and other sustainable infrastructure - Neighborhood Farms and Gardens - Eco-friendly Residential Properties and LEED Certified Commercial Properties
Personal and Family Programs If you are also planning a vacation to the Capital Region, Arezza – Metro Washington, DC can assist you with a series of eco friendly activities:
Walking, biking, canoeing, horseback riding and more in Montgomery County Annapolis and Chesapeake Bay Boat Tours Museums, Cultural Attractions & Nightlife A Day on a Working Farm Farmers and Arts & Crafts Markets Unique Culinary Experiences with visits to wineries, breweries and local food producers
Connect with Arezza Washington DC For Your Professional Development and Training
The Lower Potomac, Anacostia, Patuxent and Wicomico rivers are among the major waterways in the region, but hundreds of smaller streams, creeks and rivers abound providing numerous opportunities for recreational boating.
Anacostia River Watershed 176 square mile area of land encompasses most of the eastern half of the District of Columbia and large portions of Prince George’s County and Montgomery County in Maryland. The Anacostia has 13 major tributary creeks and streams - many with their own sub-watershed citizen advocacy groups; it starts near Bladensburg, MD, and runs for 8.5 miles before meeting the Potomac River at Hains Point in Washington, DC.
The word Anacostia is derived from the Nacotchtank Indian word anaquash; it means village trading center. In the 18th century the port at Bladensburg, Maryland, was 40 feet deep and served as a major center for colonial shipping fleets. Today, at Bladensburg Waterfront Park, site of the old port, the water often measures a scant 3 feet deep or less.
In the 18th century, the Anacostia River flowed through 2,500 acres of tidal wetlands. Today, less than 150 acres of wetland remain.
Wildlife - The Anacostia River supports 188 species of birds and nearly 50 species of fish. Some of the animals you can see in and along the river include: bald eagles, beavers, white perch, ospreys, striped bass, cormorants, crayfish, herons, turtles, egrets, otters, herring, red fox, shad, kingfishers, and bullhead catfish. Pollutionand its Effect of Fish Species - Each year, Washington's antiquated combined sewer system dumps over 2 billion gallons of raw sewage and storm water directly into the river. Recent efforts have begun to reduce this overflow volume. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), more than 20,000 tons of trash and debris enter the Anacostia's waters each year. Between 1989 and 2009, AWS volunteers collected and removed more than 850 tons of trash from the watershed. Experts estimate that approximately two-thirds (2⁄3) of brown bullhead catfish in the Anacostia River have tumors. The bullhead is an environmental indicator species for the Anacostia.
Explore the Anacostia River and Participate in Our Watershed Management Programs
The North Branch Allegany County, Western Maryland. Start and End Point:The route begins in Westernport and ends in Cumberland. Distance: 32 miles.
Upper Potomac River Washington, Frederick, and Allegany Maryland + Jefferson County West Virginia. Start and End Point:The route begins in Shepherdstown, West Virginia and ends in Cumberland Maryland. Distance: 115 miles.
Middle Potomac River Located in Montgomery, Frederick, anWashington Counties. Start and End Point: Georgetown, Washington D.C. to Williamsport, Maryland. Distance: 92 miles. The Potomac River and the Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O) Canal feature recreational fishing, biking, hiking, kayaking, canoeing, camping.
Lower Potomac River Prince Georges, Charles, and St. Mary’s counties. 115 miles of the lower Potomac River from Washington DC to Chesapeake Bay.
The region of Southern Maryland is a peninsula bordered by the Potomac River to the west and the Chesapeake Bay to the east. Predominantly rural with areas with dense population and suburban development closer to the Washington D.C. area. Steep cliffs can be found along the Chesapeake Bay shoreline and along areas of the Potomac River. Most of the streams, creeks and rivers experience tidal influences and have brackish water - a mix of fresh and salt water. Charles County Water Trails along Mattawoman Creek, the lower Potomac River, Port Tobacco River and Nanjemoy Creek.
Point Lookout Water Trails Point Lookout State Park - the southernmost tip of St. Mary’s County where the Potomac River meets the Chesapeake Bay. The State Park offers a variety of paddling experiences that range from an hour or two to all-day excursions with overnight camping options.
Kingfisher Canoe Trail Prince Georges County, Anacostia River. Set in a very urban environment, this trail features some surprisingly natural areas as it passes by the Kenilworth Marsh and Aquatic Gardens and the National Arboretum. The trail begins at the Bladensburg public boat ramp and continues down the river to end at the Anacostia Park boat ramp.
Patuxent River Water Trail Anne Arundel, Prince Georges, Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s counties. 110 miles long. Many public parks and launching sites for recreational boating provide additional access for visitors to enjoy the river’s resources.
Professional Development Itineraries and Training Programs A watershed is an area of land where water collects to flow into a river, a lake, or another large body of water; we all live inside a watershed. The Washington DC Metro Region is home to great local, state and national institutions and a highly trained workforce in government, the private and nonprofit sectors of the economy. 
In collaboration with local partners, the Arezza Network provides training, work study and other professional enrichment, project development and implementation programs in: 
Personal and Family Programs If you are also planning a vacation to the Capital Region, Arezza – Metro Washington, DC can assist you with a series of eco friendly activities:
Wildlife - The Anacostia River supports 188 species of birds and nearly 50 species of fish. Some of the animals you can see in and along the river include: bald eagles, beavers, white perch, ospreys, striped bass, cormorants, crayfish, herons, turtles, egrets, otters, herring, red fox, shad, kingfishers, and bullhead catfish. Pollution and its Effect of Fish Species - Each year, Washington's antiquated combined sewer system dumps over 2 billion gallons of raw sewage and storm water directly into the river. Recent efforts have begun to reduce this overflow volume. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), more than 20,000 tons of trash and debris enter the Anacostia's waters each year. Between 1989 and 2009, AWS volunteers collected and removed more than 850 tons of trash from the watershed. Experts estimate that approximately two-thirds (2⁄3) of brown bullhead catfish in the Anacostia River have tumors. The bullhead is an environmental indicator species for the Anacostia. 
The North Branch Allegany County, Western Maryland. Start and End Point: The route begins in Westernport and ends in Cumberland. Distance: 32 miles.
The region of Southern Maryland is a peninsula bordered by the Potomac River to the west and the Chesapeake Bay to the east. Predominantly rural with areas with dense population and suburban development closer to the Washington D.C. area. Steep cliffs can be found along the Chesapeake Bay shoreline and along areas of the Potomac River. Most of the streams, creeks and rivers experience tidal influences and have brackish water - a mix of fresh and salt water. Charles County Water Trails along Mattawoman Creek, the lower Potomac River, Port Tobacco River and Nanjemoy Creek.