Join Us and Get Involved!

---

The Neighbors of the Northwest Branch is driven by volunteers contributing their time and energy for an hour, a morning, or on an ongoing basis. Regardless of the amount of time or energy you have to contribute, there is an action opportunity within the NNWB for you. The verdant stream valley of the Northwest Branch is beautiful to behold, but seriously impaired. As Neighbors of the Northwest Branch, we are committed to revitalizing the stream, not only for its own sake, but because its health affects that of the Anacostia, the Potomac watershed and the Chesapeake Bay into which they flow. There are many ways you can take action to protect our local watershed either with the NNWB or simply in your home and your neighborhood.   

Donate or Become a Member: You can become a member of Neighbors of the Northwest Branch by making annual donation or joining any of our work events (clean ups, invasive removal, water quality testing, etc.) and signing up for our listserv. As a donor or member you will support our ongoing work and receive information on upcoming activities and ways in which we all can  protect  he NWB.  

Attend a Meeting: We have member meetings with a speaker or interactivity activity approximately once per quarter. Join our Groups.io listserv for notices about the meetings . 

Join an Action Team and Participate in Events:  NNWB has a Clean Ups Action Team and an Invasives/Natives Action Team, each of which leads regular events. We welcome all members to join these Action Teams of come out for a clean up, invasive removal, or native planting. NNWB members also participate in water quality testing and enjoy Hikes or other activities, See below for more info and visit our events page and home page for upcoming events. All members are welcome and encouraged to organize clean ups, hikes, and other events, and invite others via our listserv.

Serve on the Board: NNWB is governed by a volunteer, elected board that meets monthly. We are currently seeking new members.  Please contact us to learn more about the activities and responsibilities of board members. 

Act as Local Steward: If you regularly hike, run, walk, bike, etc. a particular segment of the trails along the NWB, perhaps you would like to act as our local steward. Acting as the local “eyes and ears,” you would report any pollution or other impairments in the stream and help coordinate local clean-ups, invasive removals or other events.

A great way to begin protecting our local streams is to ensure that the stormwater falling on your property or neighborhood does so in the most beneficial way possible. That means the water must not rush off the roof into the gutters and down the street directly into the streams, but be allowed to seep into the ground to be filtered and cooled before doing so. There are many steps you can take to facilitate this process. Some are simple. Others may be more complicated and expensive, but include options for rebates. Let us know if you have questions about these options.

Create Eco-friendly Yards 

• Install rain barrels or cisterns.
• Install a rain garden or other conservation landscaping.
• Choose native, “Bay friendly”, plants when planting or, better yet, replace part of your traditional lawn with native plants, as they’re better adapted to local conditions. 

Change Lawn Care Habits

• When possible leaves can be mulch mowed, and if they’re raked, it should not be into the streets and gutters.
• Avoid fertilizers near gutters, storm drains or streams.
• Do not fertilize before a rain.
• Compost yard waste. 

Plant Trees

• Planting trees on your property is one of the most effective ways to retain and properly treat stormwater run-off.
• Trees provide shade in stream beds, which is needed to moderate water temperature. Water that is too hot has a negative impact on aquatic life.
• Trees and vegetation along stream banks provide habitat and food for wildlife. 

Pick up Pet Waste

• Some of the most serious pollutants in the Northwest Branch are excess nutrients and bacteria from pet waste. This originates not only along the trails, but from the streets and sidewalks and even from your own backyard. Picking up after pets, whether in public or at home directly contributes to the health of our streams.

Reduce Litter

• Trash in the streets ends up in the streams and that Styrofoam cup can be lethal to wildlife, so dispose of your trash properly.
• Recycle everything possible. 

And, If You Are Really Serious!

• Install a green roof.
• Replace your paved, impermeable surface driveway with permeable pavers that allow rainwater to soak through.      

Become a Member: You can become a member of Neighbors of the Northwest Branch by making a annual donation or joining any of our work events (clean ups, invasive removal, water quality testing, etc.). As a member you will support our ongoing work and receive information on upcoming activities and ways in which we all can better protect our streams.  Additional donations are welcome, of course!

Attend a Meeting: We have member meetings with a speaker or interactivity activity approximately once per quarter. Join our Groups.io listserv for notices about the meetings .