TFPWI History
Working Our Way Toward a Trash Free Potomac Watershed by 2013!

2008 Accomplishments

• Coordinated and conducted the 20th Potomac River Watershed Cleanup in April 2008, which engaged 12,000 volunteers cleaning 392 sites and removing 285 tons of trash.
   
• Convened the Third Annual Trash Free Potomac Watershed Summit on June 17, 2008 at The World Bank in Washington, DC, with over 300 participants from national and regional organizations, government agencies, and schools. Follow-up Roundtable meetings are addressing public education, construction debris, enforcement, and market-based trash reduction strategies.
   
• Added 25 additional signatures to the Potomac Watershed Trash Treaty, including all four Governors and the District of Columbia leadership. To date 97 elected officials, representing the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia, have signed the Treaty, committing to address the trash and litter problem in the region.
   
• Initiated development of a Potomac River (watershed) Awareness and Education Campaign for Trash (PROACT) that,:
  • Identifies target audiences for PROACT
  • Creates branding, with a unified message
  • Creates and distributes new media (creative messaging, graphics, animation, content)
  • Defines media markets that may include TV, radio, print, internet, video shorts, events
  • Leverages the funding mechanisms and costs through government and private sector investment
  
  
• Engaged five local jurisdictions in the watershed-wide, PROACT, to address the Potomac’s trash problem and completed the first watershed wide Public Opinion Poll on trash.
   
• Brought together law enforcement from the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia and the National Park Police for the inaugural Litter Enforcement week (LEW)

2009 Commitments

• Development of a five-year Roadmap to a “Trash Free Potomac by 2013” and a Regional Toolbox for business and governments to facilitate trash free operations
   
• The creation of a regional public outreach and education campaign supported by local jurisdictions, businesses, and the media: Potomac (watershed) Regional Outreach and Awareness Campaign for Trash,(PROACT)
   
• Active and increased participation by jurisdictions in Litter Enforcement Week (LEW), and reporting of enforcement actions by jurisdictions
   
• Conduct Trash Monitoring at targeted locations using the AFF Visible Trash Survey (VTS)
   
• Development of the Anacostia River Trash TMDL Implementation Plan
   
• Increased volunteer participation and education in the 21st Annual Potomac River Watershed Cleanup
   
• Outreach through the Annual Potomac Watershed Trash Summit held at The World Bank
   

Prior Accomplishments:

• Laying the Foundation: Since 1989 the Alice Ferguson Foundation has organized the Annual Potomac River Watershed Cleanup. The largest regional event of its kind, the cleanup has engaged over 35,000 volunteers and 250 partners since 1989, and removed more than 2.5 million pounds of trash from the Potomac Watershed. It will continue to provide a transforming experience that engages citizens and community leaders to generate momentum for change.
   
• Crucial First Step: In 2005 8 jurisdictions signed onto The Potomac Watershed Trash Treaty (PDF). The Potomac Watershed Trash Treaty commits signers to achieving a trash-free Potomac by 2013, and to:
  • Support and implement regional strategies aimed at reducing trash and increasing recycling;
  • Increase education and awareness of the trash issue throughout the Potomac Watershed;
  • Reconvene annually to discuss and evaluate measures and actions addressing trash reduction.
  
   
• Building a VITAL Network:
  • AFF has established an effective infrastructure of key leaders and decision makers on federal, state, local and non-governmental levels to take responsibility and collaborate on action oriented problem solving.
  • Five Action Committees will develop strategies, make recommendations, and conduct Action Planning to implement steps towards creating a trash-free Potomac Watershed.
  • An Advisory Council has formed to utilize Action Committee recommendations to guide and advise the Alice Ferguson Foundation on the Trash Free Initiative.
  
   
• Securing Funding:
  • The Summit Fund of Washington awarded AFF a Seed Grant and a subsequent grant for work of the TFPWI.
  • A National Fish and Wildlife Foundation matching grant application was submitted in October 2005, awaiting decision.
  • A National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration Marine Debris, Community Based Restoration grant was applied for in December 2005, awaiting decision.
  • AFF continues to look for funding through business sponsorships, grants, donations, membership and exhibitors at the Potomac Watershed Trash Summit. For more information on sponsorship click here.
  
   
• Mandating Change:
  • Trash Summit – A Signature Event that Commits Elected Officials and Provides Outreach. Participate in the Summit
  • Annual Potomac River Watershed Cleanup – A Community Catalyst for Progress. Get involved in the Cleanup