Overview

Before a time of widespread environmental consciousness and pollution controls, several industries, government and municipal production facilities operated along the banks of the District of Columbia’s Anacostia River. These groups’ actions eroded the river’s natural biological integrity and left a legacy of toxic chemicals within the river’s bottom sediments.

In the years that followed, attention was placed on the river’s sewage overflow and pollution runoff problems, but little consideration was placed on the legacy toxics.

Our Work

In response, we helped to launch United for a Healthy Anacostia River, a diverse coalition of environmental, business, community and religious-based organizations aimed at educating the general public about legacy toxic chemicals and advocating for their elimination.

Our work with the coalition included brand development (coalition website, logo, letterhead), event planning (co-hosting of a DC Mayoral forum), and providing ongoing media relations support.

Results

Our firm has not only brought greater public awareness to the toxic chemical issue, but it has also generated significant media coverage for the coalition.

Media coverage has helped to halt plans to submerge a gas station sculpture within the river, as well as persuade the DC Council to include language in its budget legislation mandating a cleanup plan be in place by June of 2018.