February 28, 2022

Potomac Conservancy concludes the region’s first comprehensive climate series — Here’s what we learned

February 28, 2022/ Melissa Diemand

The climate crisis is here. And so is the final chapter of Rising to the Challenge, the region’s first comprehensive climate report.

Our report and six-part series have revealed the unique ways in which our streams, wildlife, and communities are impacted by a warming climate and extreme weather.

Dive into Part Six to uncover 7 key climate findings that impact the Potomac River — and the nature-based solutions we must support to overcome the crisis of our lifetime!

February 11, 2022

Our favorite local date spots for the outdoor romantic

February 11, 2022/ Emily Jackson

Skip Netflix binge-watching, take a hard pass on a crowded restaurant, and get outside to make some memories with your special someone.

Whether you already have plans or still need to make some for the big day, we’ve got you covered with a list of the best outdoor dates on and around the Potomac.

February 11, 2022

Surprising ways 5 local critters survive the cold

February 11, 2022/ Willis Kliefoth

Have you ever wondered how our local critters get through the winter?

Whether it’s packing on the pounds, getting out of Dodge, or cozying up with some friends, Mother Nature has quite an amazing response to the cold. Find out how five common critters spend the winter.

February 06, 2022

Rising salt levels in the Potomac River threaten wildlife, drinking water.

February 06, 2022/ Rosie Kean

Snow’s certainly not been a stanger this winter! Using salt can keep our roads safe, but it has dangerous consequences for the Potomac River.

Learn about the threat of rising salt levels in the Potomac and its tributaries, and alternatives to traditional salt to keep both our roads and freshwater safe.

January 20, 2022

Genuinely useful tips for getting outside this winter

January 20, 2022/ Willis Kliefoth

Now more than ever, we all need the mental and physical health benefits of getting outside. But how can you take advantage of the winter 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 stay in touch with the natural world when you’re determined to stay indoors.

January 20, 2022

Why do dolphins use the Potomac River?

January 20, 2022/ Guest User

Understanding how many bottlenose dolphins in the Potomac-Chesapeake area are reproductive females, the number of calves they’re having, and how many of those calves survive reveals much about the current state of the population and its trajectory.

Discover what the Potomac-Chesapeake Dolphin Project (PCDP) is learning about baby dolphins in the Potomac River and how this research is unlocking key information about the health of the mid-Atlantic dolphin populations.

January 17, 2022

Uh, oh. Ticks are surviving winter – Here’s why

January 17, 2022/ Rosie Kean

Winter is here, but that doesn’t mean you can let your guard down when it comes to ticks!

Read on to learn about how the climate crisis is leading to rising populations of ticks—and steps we can take to keep the pests out of our backyards.

January 16, 2022

4 ways Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. left his mark on the environmental movement

January 16, 2022/ Kyaira Ware

While Dr. King is best known for his role in civil rights actions like the Montgomery Bus Boycott, and his “I Have a Dream” speech during the March on Washington, he also cared deeply about the environment and left his mark on the conservation movement.

Find out why clean water matters to civil rights advocates and how you can help uphold Dr. King’s legacy through action.

December 13, 2021

QUIZ: Name that nut! Test your knowledge of local trees.

December 13, 2021/ Willis Kliefoth

Local and indigenous 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 than you might realize.

Test your nut knowledge and find out how you can do your part this fall to protect local trees.

December 13, 2021

Indigenous Voices: Discover the beauty of Nanjemoy Creek

December 13, 2021/ Willis Kliefoth

Nanjemoy Creek is known as the “green thumb” of the Potomac River, as it remains so well-forested and pristine. This is in large part thanks to the efforts of the Piscataway people and their efforts to protect their ancestral home.

Hear from Piscataway nation member and Indigenous scholar Gabby Tayac about the connection her people have to Nanjemoy, their history along side it, and how its beauty still inspires her today.

December 13, 2021

Ask the Expert: How does your grocery list impact the Potomac River?

December 13, 2021/ Willis Kliefoth

Our friends from Mom’s Organic Market tell you how to write a shopping list that really makes a difference for our local environment and the climate. Check out these 5 quick tips to level up your river-friendly grocery game and find out the #1 action you can take for clean water…

November 01, 2021

3 essential books by Indigenous authors for environmental activists

November 01, 2021/ Willis Kliefoth

All lands in the United States are the ancestral lands of Indigenous peoples. If we want to build an equitable and sustainable movement to protect the Potomac River, our local lands, and the climate, we must learn from Indigenous people and their legacy of environmental activism.

October 14, 2021

Facing our fears: How we can make the outdoors safe, not scary

October 14, 2021/ Willis Kliefoth

If you have fears, anxieties, or worries about heading into the great outdoors…you might be justified. It’s not always a welcoming space for all. Here are some tangible solutions our society can implement to make nature a lot less scary.

October 13, 2021

Potomac River dolphins also suffer from viral outbreaks - Here’s how to help

October 13, 2021/ Guest User

Just like people, dolphins are susceptible to disease outbreaks. That’s why the Potomac-Chesapeake Dolphin Project is studying an airborne viral outbreak that caused a mass mortality event among Potomac River dolphins.

So what have they discovered about how and why disease spreads amongst our local dolphin population?And how can we keep them healthy and prevent more outbreaks?

October 04, 2021

Ask An Expert: Should you leave your leaves?

October 04, 2021/ Willis Kliefoth

Every autumn, gardeners and landowners ask the same question…what should I do with the fallen leaves in my yard or garden? This year, find out from experts how your decision can help wildlife and clean water in the Potomac River…and create a beautiful, healthy garden.

October 03, 2021

“Trick or treat” with 6 creepy critters from the Potomac River

October 03, 2021/ Willis Kliefoth

The Potomac River’s ecologically rich habitat is home to over a thousand species of animals, and some of the coolest ones around are also the creepiest.

This Halloween, conquer your fears by discovering why they’re not (so) scary after all!

October 02, 2021

5 completely legal ways to pollute the Potomac

October 02, 2021/ Melissa Diemand

With all the progress made since the Clean Water Act was passed in 1972, it may still surprise you to learn there are plenty of ways you can still legally pollute the Potomac River.

Learn how our community allows pollution into our Nation's River – the drinking water source for you and nearly 6 million people – and what you can do about it.

October 01, 2021

Quiz: The bats in your backyard!

October 01, 2021/ Willis Kliefoth

Did you know that there are dozens of bat species that call the Potomac River region home…and that many of them are under threat or endangered? Luckily, the work we do to conserve our local lands and waters can also help protect these vulnerable creatures. Take this quiz to get to know some of the bats hanging around in our backyards!

September 15, 2021

Listen to dolphins in the Potomac River! Here’s what they’re telling us…

September 15, 2021/ Guest User

What do the dolphins that live in the Potomac River sound like? And what are they telling us about where and how they live their lives in our hometown river?

Read on to hear them and find out how local researchers are following their voices to uncover the mysteries of the Potomac River dolphins!

August 30, 2021

People, Health, and Justice: How climate change is impacting our local communities

August 30, 2021/ Willis Kliefoth

How is the climate crisis affecting the health of residents of the Potomac River region? How can public health officials address these threats? How are these climate burdens unjustly and inequitably impacting communities of color and low-wealth? How can we empower frontline communities for Climate justice solutions?

Find out in Part 3 of Rising to the Challenge, Potomac Conservancy’s climate report series.

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