All major religions have strong themes about protecting the earth. Rain Gardens are a practical way to do it, and, in DC, can bring real monetary benefits to houses of worship by “monetizing” their rooftops, parking lots and roads.

As some advocates begin to question whether the restoration of the Anacostia River corridor might contribute to patterns of inequitable economic growth in DC and in Maryland, I have wondered: What can the people in charge of parks and green space do to maximize positive benefits for nearby residents while minimizing the negative possible impacts like displacement?

Before investigating the second question, I looked into the first: What kind of benefits do parks provide communities?

Thanks to the hard work of many community advocates and government agencies, the health of the Anacostia River is swiftly improving and long-held negative perceptions about the value of the river and its parks are beginning to shift to the positive. Yet as river advocates encourage people to visit and enjoy the increasingly restored riverfront during the Year of the Anacostia, the Anacostia River continues to maintain its historic reputation in Washington as a stark dividing line for wealth, health indicators, race and more. Some advocates fear that the improvement of the Anacostia River may not serve residents who suffered through its darker years. By raising the desirability and value of land near the river, some fear the restoration itself could contribute to patterns of inequitable economic growth, gentrification and displacement that loom over the DC region and many U.S. cities.

Krista Schlyer, a multimedia journalist and artist who has been working on the Anacostia River for a long time, has launched a new online interactive exhibit about the Anacostia Watershed. A total of 8 episodes will be released, once each week starting April 3, 2018. 

George Washington set us on the path to today's District of Columbia. 

The most innovative thing going on in DC to improve water quality could be a model for the world.