When the European explorer John Smith sailed into the Anacostia River in 1608, he found a rich and pristine natural resource, abundant with life and inhabited along the shore by the Nacotchtank Indians.

Over the past four centuries, the health of the river has steadily been degraded, as the watershed moved through phases of agriculture, urbanization, industrialization, and suburban sprawl. In the 20th century, the river became recognized as one of the nation’s most polluted rivers.

• The Anacostia River does not fully meet any of the water quality standards, other than navigability, that are set for it in accordance with the Clean Water Act. It is not safe for swimming or for eating the fish that live in it.
• 2 billion gallons of raw sewage mixed with stormwater dump into the river annually via the District’s antiquated combined sewer system.
• Stormwater washes 70,000 tons of trash, sediment, and toxic pollution into the river every year.
• About 23% of the entire watershed is covered with parking lots, rooftops, and other “impervious” surfaces. Some subwatersheds in the District of Columbia approach 50% impervious cover. Stormwater runs off these surfaces in large quantities, causing erosion, contributing to flooding, and adding a wide range of pollutants to the river.
• More than 2500 acres of tidal wetlands along the Anacostia River have been destroyed, representing the loss of more than 90% of the tidal wetlands estimated to have existed historically. There are currently less than 100 acres of tidal wetlands along the Anacostia River.
• More than 60% of the historical non-tidal wetland acreage throughout the watershed has been destroyed, resulting from suburban sprawl in recent decades and, before that, from urbanization and agricultural activity.
• Up to 2/3 of the brown bullhead catfish in the river have cancerous tumors and/or lesions.

The Anacostia River Community
Many young people in our Nation’s Capital are denied access to some of the fundamentals that enable many Americans to lead healthy, fulfilled lives: quality education, safe neighborhoods, and a clean environment. Earth Conservation Corps offers opportunities to these young people deemed “hardest to reach”. Our model uses leadership development and environmental stewardship as vehicles for socialization and civic engagement. These initiatives get young people off the streets and into productive, positive pursuits, investing in their neighborhoods and setting a positive example for their peers. Corps members leave the program confident, strong, transformed, and able to change the course of their lives.

The following statistics reflect the current state of the communities served by Earth Conservation Corps.

Poverty:

• In 2000, the poverty rate in Ward 8 was 36%. 47% of children were living in poverty.
• In 2000, the poverty rate in Ward 7 was 25%. 37% of children were living in poverty.
• In 2000, the poverty rate in Ward 6 was 21%. 36% of children were living in poverty.
  (Source: Neighborhood info D.C.)

Crime:

• In 2004, there were 198 murders in DC. More than half of the homicides were committed in District 6 (54 murders) and District 7 (54 murders). (Source: DC Metropolitan Police Department)
• In 1998, most violent crimes victims, ages 1-24, were victimized in District 6 (17%) and District 7 (21%).
  (Source: Urban Institute)
• In 1998, only 46% respondents living in District 7 reported that they feel very safe alone outside in their neighborhood during the day.
  (Source: Metropolitan Police Department, Survey of 2,216 conducted June/August 1998 by independent researcher)

Unemployment:

• In 2000, the unemployment rate for Ward 7 was 14%.
• In 2000, the unemployment rate for Ward 8 was 22%.
  (Source: Department of Employment Services Labor Market Information and Research Division)

High school drop-out rate:

• In 2003, a Ward 7 high school drop out rate was 14.1%.
• In 2003, a Ward 8 high school drop out rate was 10.3%.
  (Source: DC Dept. of Education for the statistical center)