{"id":37323,"date":"2024-04-09t16:27:39","date_gmt":"2024-04-09t16:27:39","guid":{"rendered":"\/\/www.getitdoneaz.com\/?p=37323"},"modified":"2024-04-09t16:27:40","modified_gmt":"2024-04-09t16:27:40","slug":"eco-gratitude-anacostia-river","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"\/\/www.getitdoneaz.com\/story\/eco-gratitude-anacostia-river\/","title":{"rendered":"essay | nurturing eco-gratitude through the history of the anacostia river"},"content":{"rendered":"
if you\u2019ve been to washington, d.c., the capital of the united states, chances are you\u2019ve explored prominent landmarks like the national mall, the library of congress, and various others. but have you ever ventured to anacostia park?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
enriched with a complex and nuanced history, the contemporary anacostia river exhibits significant transformations from its earlier existence as a nacotchtank settlement between the 1000s and 1600s. enduring a series of ecological and social transformations over the years, including significant events like european settlement in the 1600s, the establishment of the district\u2019s capital in 1790, the civil war from 1861-1865, and the civil rights movement from 1954-1968, anacostia serves as a compelling illustration of how historical events and exclusionary practices can shape a city. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
the community endured several years of being used as both a human and industrial waste dump as discussed in madeleine dwyer\u2019s \u201cforgotten by the clean water act<\/a>.\u201d then, it faced significant changes with the desegregation of local schools<\/a> and the construction of the anacostia freeway in 1957. these events have deeply influenced the community leaving a lasting impact that continues to affect future generations. bruce holmes, a lifelong resident of anacostia and community liaison at friends of anacostia park, is among those whose lives have been shaped by these events. <\/p>\n\n\n\n despite the passage of the clean water act in 1972, the anacostia river, having endured years of neglect, continues to rank among the 10 most polluted rivers in the country. this stands in stark contrast to the potomac river, situated in affluent neighborhoods like georgetown, which is often regarded as a success story for the clean water act. the disparities between these neighboring water bodies underscore the ongoing challenges faced by anacostia and highlight the persistent environmental issues that demand attention and concerted efforts for remediation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n