Causes: Environment, Environmental Beautification, Natural Resources Conservation & Protection, Recycling

Mission: Rock Creek Conservancy exists to restore Rock Creek and its parklands as a natural oasis for all people to appreciate and protect.

Programs: The conservancy worked to reduce polluted runoff, the top threat to the health of rock creek. The conservancy added conservation landscaping on two institutional properties. This project helped to reduce erosion and the re-introduction of native plants species to rock creek and demonstrate how property owners can take steps to protect local streams. The conservancy conducted a large scale tree planting in rock creek park to help stabilze stream banks and repopulate the understory which reduces erosion thereby slowing sediment pollution. The conservancy also supported a youth conservation corps which focused on invasive removal and trail improvement to facilitate better water flow over rock creek trails.

the conservancy engaged 4,496 volunteers in over 10,950 hours of service to protect rock creek and revitalize rock creek park. The organization held its sixth annual rock creek extreme cleanup, a watershed-wide trash cleanup in april. Over 2,180 volunteers came out for cleanups at 76 locations and hauled 2,380 bags of trash and 9 tons of junk from rock creek's streams and parks. The conservancy also streangthened and expanded its "stream team" program, in which volunteers have adopted over 51 sections of park or creek for community-based environmental stewardship. The teams held over 100 events, including trash cleanups, invasive plant removal, and plantings. We also saved 4,013 trees from english ivy.

the organization worked to educate government officials, community groups, and property owners about challenges facing rock creek and its parkland, and what people can do to help. Outreach included a newsletter, monthly email newsletters, presentations, meetings, social media, and response to calls and emails, school visits and community fairs.