Watershed Hero: Nathan Harrington, DC Teacher and Community Activist

      In the spirit of Alima, the watershed hero in Watershed Adventures of a Water Bottle, I will highlight the heroic activities of one person who is making a difference to improve the health of the Chesapeake Bay watershed. One voice, activism and motivation can inspire us all to make a positive impact in our local and global world.

1.  What is the Shepherd Parkway Community clean-up?

            Shepherd Parkway is a neighborhood in the Congress Heights community. This neighborhood is adjacent to the northern section of 205 acres of National Park land in Washington DC that runs along Interstate 295. The National Park Service acquired it in the 1920’s to protect the Potomac River, the wetlands in its floodplain and two Civil War forts, Fort Carroll and Fort Greble that sit upon the ridge.

            The Shepherd Parkway Community clean-up started in 2010. Since then, the Shepherd Parkway Committee, part of the Congress Heights Community Association, has held 15 clean-ups. We will have 6 more this year. Volunteers are removing trash and invasive species, in particular English Ivy that is strangling the 100-year old tree canopy. Since 2010, we have focused our efforts on 30 acres in the northern section of the National Park, between St. Elizabeth’s hospital and Malcolm X Avenue. Our goal is to finish this section by the end of 2013, then clean-up south of Malcolm X Avenue to South Capitol Street. The ultimate goal is to remove trash and invasive plants like English Ivy and Kudzu from all 205 acres and build a 3-mile hiking trail from LeBaum Street to Oxon Cove and Oxon Run Parks in Maryland.

2. How have you helped your community?

           I love that DC has large tracts of parkland; a lot of which is east of the Anacostia River. When hiking and exploring DC’s parks, I noticed the huge discrepancy between the recreational opportunities, such as trails, and the management of the parks west of the Anacostia versus east of the river.  A majority of these parks have been covered in trash for years, creating a barrier for residents to recreate in their local green spaces.

            After moving into the neighborhood, I began cleaning-up the trash on my own. I also attended community meetings to learn what bothered residents about their parkland. The resounding voices stated trash. Therefore, I was asked to co-chair the Shepherd Parkway Committee to lead the effort to clean-up the National Park land in the Congress Heights community.

            Hundreds of volunteers from DC, the US and Canada have removed 80% of the garbage in between Malcolm X Avenue and St. Elizabeth Hospital, in addition to all of the English Ivy. The Shepherd Parkway committee has partnered with organizations, such as the Luther Place Memorial Church’s Steinbruck Center on Urban Studies, the DC chapter of the Sierra Club, Washington Parks and People and Potomac Appalachian Trail Club. While many young and old from around DC have volunteered, my goal is to engage more residents from the Congress Heights community.

3. What inspired you to start the project?

            I was inspired to start this project by the work that Washington Parks and People has done to restore two major parks, Meridian Hill/Malcolm X Park and Watts Branch/Marvin Gaye Park. Both parks were grossly neglected and riddled with crime. Now they are central to the life and recreation of both communities.

            While studying to become a licensed DC tour guide, I became inspired by the history and beauty of the architecture and natural landscapes in Washington. I want to help bring back that natural beauty to the parks east of the Anacostia River.

4. Who inspired you to be a watershed hero?

             I have been inspired by some of my neighbors who have removed trash from parkland across from or adjacent to their homes. In addition, I am deeply inspired by Phillip Pannell, a longtime community leader in DC’s Ward 8. Pannel has been President of the Congress Heights Community Association for many years. He has championed issues such as environmental justice, gay rights and school improvement in Anacostia. Phillip is a shining example that one voice can make a difference. He inspires me to be another voice making a difference in Shepherd Parkway.

Nathan's voice, activism and motivation make him a watershed hero.

Questions to Ask When Planning a National Park Vacation

Great Sand Dunes NP

        I have mentioned a few times in my blog that one of my lifetime goals is to visit at least one new national park each year with my children. I started this goal three years ago when my kids were nine and five. At five years old, my son had stopped napping, could sustain attention, had a lot of energy and could do more outdoor activities without constant adult intervention (like being carried in a backpack while hiking). Each year, I choose a new park or two and amp up the adventure scale. In 2010, we played on the sand dunes in Great Sand Dunes National Park; in 2011, we camped, rock scrambled, hiked and biked in Acadia National Park; and last summer, we camped, kayaked, rafted and did long hikes in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks.     It's winter; tis the season to be thinking about the opposite season, summer, and planning our family's next national park adventure. This year, we are road tripping to camp in Sleeping Dunes and Isle of Royale National Parks in Michigan. So as I begin my internet search for information to formulate a plan, I thought I would develop a list of questions that I need answered.

1. What is the travel distance from home to each destination?
2. How do we get to each destination? 
3. What is the cost of getting there? 
4. What is the transportation schedule?
5. How long does it take?
6. What is the park entrance fee?
7. How many campgrounds does the park have?
8. Where are the campgrounds located?
9. How does the location of the campgrounds compare to the proximity of activities available in the park?
10. What is the cost of a campsite?
11. Is there a minimum night stay?
12. How do I reserve a campsite? First-come, first-serve?
13. If first-come, first-serve, how fast do the campgrounds fill?
14. What facilities are offered at the campgrounds: flush toilets, pit toilets, showers, water pumps, firewood, tent pad, picnic table, fire ring and bear boxes?
15. Where is the closest store for food and supplies?
16. What activities are available in the park: boat rentals (kayak, canoe, row, small motor), fishing, outfitters, horseback riding, tours, ranger programs, mountain biking, rock climbing, rafting, hiking, backpacking and swimming?
17. How do I obtain a backcountry permit to backpack?
18. What are the bear regulations? Can I rent a bear canister ?
19. Where do I buy camping fuel?



Grand Teton NP

20. What are the campfire regulations?

     Of course these are general questions. Depending on your destination, you will develop more specific questions related to your family's needs and goals. Planning though is necessary to ensure your family's safety during its outdoor adventures, to decrease your impact on the natural environment and to increase the fun-factor for your family vacation.

Be Grizzly Bear Aware

This sign is on all bear boxes in Grand Teton and Yellowstone.

    Many people have written blog posts about camping in bear country. I am going to add another. I have spent many years camping and backpacking on the east coast. This summer, my family and I experienced camping in the west for the first time, in Grand Teton National Park. This is BEAR country. Being a Master Educator and MD State Advocate for Leave No Trace, I have learned and taught others about respecting wildlife when hiking and camping. Respecting wildlife includes recreating in bear habitat.

   There isn't a difference between how to camp and hike in bear country on the east as opposed to the west. However, there is a huge difference in the attitude and proactive education that is done by the National Park and people who live in grizzly country. Campers on the east receive minimal education on how to camp among wildlife. Most state and all National parks on the east post the Leave No Trace principals on trail head signs and in campgrounds. Some may extend beyond: to remind you to put food in a car or hang it when not in use, dispose of trash properly and stay a safe distance away from bears.

   I am sure many of you have heard the horror stories of people being attacked by bears, whether they suddenly come upon a mother and cubs or the bear enters a campsite wanting food. These scenes are unfortunately true but not prevalent. One reason is because many of the western National Parks are doing a fantastic job educating hikers and campers about being safe in bear country.

    "Be Bear Aware" is Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks bear safety educational campaign.

•  Be Bear Aware educational displays include: a trailer at Willow Flats, display boards in all the visitor centers and campground offices, a pamphlet distributed at the entrance stations, an article in the Grand Teton Guide, posters in all park bathrooms, billboards in populated areas and placards on all park picnic tables. The message saturates the Park.

This sign is on all picnic tables in
Grand Teton and Yellowstone.

•  At all campsites, picnic locations and strategically placed spots (where people tend to picnic along lakes and in scenic locations), large steel bear boxes are located for people to place their food.

•  Bear proof trash and recycling cans are located in all populated locations.

•  Rangers educate visitors at all presentations and activities.

•  Rangers check campsites each evening, either receiving individual education or a warning notice when violating the bear safety rules. The warnings can include a paper notice of your violation, confiscation of your gear and/or a fine. On our first night in the Park, we received a warning notice because we left our site with the water bottles still on the picnic table.

•  Each backpacker receives a bear canister when obtaining a backcountry camping permit with full instructions on how to use it.

Be Bear Aware includes:

•  Never allow a bear to get food. If in the presence of a bear, store your food and move away to a safe distance.

•  Place all food and scented items in a bear box or hard-sided car. These include: food, cooking dishes and utensils, coolers, water bottles and dispensers, drink cans and bottles, wash bins and soap, stoves and grills, toiletries and pet food. Never leave these items in your tent or out if not present.

•  Never leave your backpack or dry bag, if on the water, unattended. Bears can swim!

•  Dispose of all trash, even micro-trash, and recyclables in receptacles.

•  Rat-out your fellow campers who are not following the bear safety rules. I did. At Jenny Lake, fellow campers left a grocery bag of garbage hanging in a tree. Yikes!

•  When hiking, talk, sing or clap often to make your presence known (this is more effective than bear bells). Bears will move away when they hear people. Don't use head phones or ear buds when hiking. Hike in groups and during the day. Bears are most active at dawn, dusk and at night.

•  Carrying and using bear spray is a proven strategy if charged by a bear. Carry it on your waistline for immediate use.

•  If a bear approaches or charges you: first, DO NOT RUN; second, stand still. When bears charge, they will often veer off into the woods before attacking. If so, slowly back away once the bear is in the woods. Bears charge because hikers surprise them when they are protecting a food source or their young. If attacked, lie on your stomach with your legs slightly separated and your hands held together over the back of your head. Be silent and don't move. When the bear stops attacking and leaves, lie still for a few more minutes.

   Source - "Grand Teton Guide," Summer 2012

   The campgrounds, picnic areas, high use trails and scenic areas in Grand Teton were very clean; much more than ones on the east coast. Often campsites in state and national parks in the east have micro-trash scattered around, in the campfire pits and around picnic tables. Micro-trash is often also visible on high use trails. Contrary to many national parks in the west, trash, including micro-trash, is hard to find. I attribute this to the presence of bears, grizzly and black, and the educational campaign that saturates the minds of most visitors.

   It is important that people are proactive in their recreating practices to minimize the habitation of bears in our parks. A habituated bear is a dangerous one that must be killed. Bears are essential predators in their ecosystem's food web, in addition to being natural wonders. Before this trip, I considered myself knowledgable about recreating with bears. However, camping and hiking in the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone has allowed me to experience recreating in grizzly country and increased my awareness and knowledge to "Be Bear Aware."