River Restoration Centers

The Old Capitol Pump House Today

Since our inception, the Earth Conservation Corps has partnered with scores of dedicated volunteers to take formerly abandoned facilities and renovate them to use as our education centers. We also offer these facilities to non-profits and individuals wishing to host events with the scenic Anacostia River as a backdrop.

Old Capitol Pump House

Erected in the early 1900’s, the Capitol Pump House pumped water from the Anacostia River to the United States Capitol building for steam heat. Operations ended in the 1950’s due to the river’s pollution.

In 1994, the Earth Conservation Corps launched a partnership with the US Navy Mobile Construction Battalion 23 (Seabees), engaged disadvantaged community youth, and recruited volunteers to begin the adaptive reuse of this abandoned facility. Earth Conservation Corps raised over $2 million for equipment and materials and received in-kind support from the Navy Seabees and many others. This led to the successful transformation of the pump house into an environmental education center with many Low Impact Development (LID) landscape components. To date, the Earth Conservation Corps Center has helped serve over 22,000 youth and adults, providing hands-on environmental education, volunteer service opportunities and access to the Anacostia River.

Matthew Henson Earth Conservation Center

Erected in the early 1900’s, the Pepco Pump House pumped water from the Anacostia River to the adjacent Pepco Power Plant, which supplied the area. Operations ended in the 1950’s due to the river’s pollution.

Acquired through a joint donation from Pepco and the US Department of Interior’s National Park Service, this Brownfield site on Federal Reservation #295 was also restored in a partnership with the Navy Seabees, Earth Conservation Corps members, and recruited volunteers. Earth Conservation Corps raised $2.5 million to transform this facility into an environmental education center, which also provides a host of professional development and environmental education programs including life skills, career training and placement for youth. Through the efforts of Corps members and recruited volunteers, the Matthew Henson Earth Conservation Center also boasts several Low Impact Development components including the District’s first green roof.

Burned Kingman Island Access Bridges

Following the successful efforts of numerous stakeholders to save Kingman Island from theme park development, the island’s access bridge was burned. Earth Conservation Corps requested support from the Navy Seabees and helped restore the bridges to return access to the local community. Today, Earth Conservation Corps continues to carry out the provisions of their 2002 Memorandum of Understanding with the Department of Parks and Recreation. This includes maintaining the islands with Corps members and thousands of recruited volunteers each year, as well as hosting a Raptor Research and Education program for the local community and DCPS.


Anacostia Riverwalk and Trail

In 2002, Earth Conservation Corps partnered with Allentuck Landscaping, Fox Architects, and the DC Offices of Planning and Transportation to construct three demonstration segments of the Anacostia Riverwalk and Trail. This LID stormwater recharge system increases community access to the river and encourages healthy living (walking/biking). Many graduates who participated are now employed at various businesses, nonprofits and government agencies, including DDOT.




If you are interested in securing space or discussing the availability of space at Earth Conservation Corps, please follow the process below:

1. Contact Monica Poe at 202.479.6710 or mpoe@ecc1.org and indicate that you wish to use one of the Earth Conservation Corps Centers for your event. Decide whether the space will be appropriate for your needs by scheduling a walk-through.
2. Determine what your needs will be. After Earth Conservation Corps has determined your requirements, you will receive a fully executed contract agreement for your signature. The contract and a Certificate of Insurance are due 21 calendar days prior to the event. If a Liquor License is required, you will need to provide that at least 21 calendar days prior to your event, as well.
3. Cancellations must be received at least fourteen business days prior to the event.