Made in Prince George’s
Providing A Way Forward For Piscataway Park’s Woodlands, Wetlands, And River Ecosystems Nourishes Maryland’s Beauty And Richness
MAIN PHOTO: Osprey watching over the nest at the Accokeek Foundation is a partner of the National Park Service in Piscataway Park, Maryland, USA. Photographed on May 27, 2017.
Risharda Harley Stewardship Director, Accokeek Foundation
By Risharda Harley
Last week, we shared about the power of storytelling and its place at the center of our new education programs. Today, I’m excited to add to that narrative by highlighting another focus of our mission: environmental stewardship.
Stewardship is storytelling through action. By caring for Piscataway Park’s land and waterways, we honor and protect the stories that the land itself remembers. When we clear litter from the Potomac’s shoreline, remove invasives, or restore a field to native grasses, we are not just repairing harm—we are making space for the land to speak again. In creating that space, we revive the memories held in the landscape and allow the voices of the people who once lived, worked, and thrived here to be heard.
In 2025, our stewardship team removed 2,149 pounds of trash from the shorelines of the Potomac River and freed 138 trees from invasive vines—work that continues a legacy begun more than six decades ago, when the Foundation first protected this landscape as a land trust.
This impact was only possible because of our wonderful volunteers who donated their time to protect the region's ecosystems. This year, the stewardship team welcomed 268 volunteers who gave a collective 537 hours of their time towards stewarding the park.
The story is still unfolding. Will you join us in writing the next chapter?
Whether you give $35, $50, or $85 this holiday season, your gift supports the protection of Piscataway Park’s woodlands, wetlands, and river ecosystems, as well as all the animal and plant species that call this land home. Your support will help:
Equip volunteers with essential tools and supplies from gloves and hand pruners to trash grabbers, safety gear, and native plant materials so they can steward the land effectively and safely.
Provide staff capacity to lead and expand volunteer events, ensuring more shoreline cleanups, invasive plant removal sessions, and “Free a Tree” days throughout the year.
Strengthen community engagement by hosting special service days—including MLK Day of Service and Earth Day events—that connect more people to the park’s care and conservation.
