An event hosted today by the University of the District of Columbia (UDC) celebrated the release of Young Voices of the Anacostia River: Exploring Black Roots to the Eastern Shore and Back, a new collection of essays, poems and photographs by student authors from Anacostia High School. The book showcases their reflections on Black contributions to the environment and their personal experiences with nature in and around the D.C. region.
Young Voices of the Anacostia River is the product of partnerships between UDC, D.C. Public Schools, Conservation Nation, editor and Nature-Wise founder Caroline Brewer and the U.S. Department of the Interior, with additional support from the Justice40 Initiative and Pepco as part of UDC’s Developing America’s Workforce Nucleus (DAWN) Initiative. Through immersive experiences in local parks, forests and waterways over the summer of 2024, students documented their observations and connections to nature.
When I think about nature and what makes it beautiful, it’s
the greenery, and the scent of the leaves on trees as the wind blows.
When I think about nature and what makes it beautiful, I know
that I am nature. I am the sun. I am water. I am the wind blowing, pushing,
and prodding new seeds deeper in the ground so that they can
grow more plants, just like me.
“Natural beauty – A reflection” by Keon Hopkins
“This project is an incredible example of how education can empower young people to become stewards of their communities and voices for change,” said UDC President Maurice D. Edington. “We are proud to partner with D.C. Public Schools in providing impactful opportunities that inspire and tap into students’ creativity to explore their communities and career pathways.”
Many of the students reported a newfound connection to the environment through their participation in the Young Voices of the Anacostia River project, which also introduced them to Black environmentalists, past and present, and their many contributions to conservation and sustainability. Over the course of the summer, students strengthened their writing skills, gained confidence in public speaking and found their voices as storytellers. They shared at the end of the program a renewed enthusiasm for learning and a deeper commitment to pursuing higher education and careers related to environmentalism.
“Our Anacostia students have demonstrated the power of storytelling and their ability to reflect deeply on both personal and environmental histories,” said Anacostia High School Principal Kenneth Walker. “Their words give voice to the relationship between our communities and the world around us, and we are extraordinarily proud of them all.”
In a pond where lilies bloom
Fish swim softly in murky liquid rooms
Water whispers tales of old,
Stories in its ripples told
Green fronds sway in gentle flow
While the moon casts its silver glow
Peaceful, quiet, calm, and free
Now imagine more of this, for you, for me.
This is the life of the Aquatic Gardens.
“Where Lilies Bloom” by Kaishon Champ
“In my work with Anacostia students, I’ve seen firsthand how connecting with nature can be a transformative experience,” said UDC Anacostia Ambassador & Justice40 Summer Internship Coordinator Xavier Brown. “Whether they’re writing about the river, tending plants in the greenhouse or reflecting on their place in the environment, they’re building confidence and discovering new possibilities for their futures.”
“At Conservation Nation, we believe that every student should have access to nature and the ability to see themselves as conservation leaders,” said Conservation Nation CEO Lynn Mento. “The creativity and passion displayed in this book are a testament to the bright future these young voices are helping to shape.”
Young Voices of the Anacostia River Editor and Nature-Wise Founder Caroline Brewer emphasized the impact of writing and exploration on young people. “These young people have taken flight with their words, becoming bigger thinkers, better writers and speakers,” she said. “This book is a testament that their voices matter and that they now know how to carry Mother Earth’s tunes.”