1. Educating and Promoting
Designing Conservation
Environmental Sustainability
The mission of the Alice Ferguson Foundation is to provide
experiences that encourage connections between people,
the natural environment, farming, and the cultural heritage
of the Potomac River Watershed, leading to personal
environmental responsibility.
Students are testing the water quality (photography by Becca Scott)
Potomac River Watershed Cleanup 2008 in Anacostia Park (Photo Credit Mr. Moller)
Springhill Lake Elementary students (Greenbelt) at the Potomac River Watershed Cleanup in 2008. A student feeding the goat at Hard Bargain Farm. (Photo: Libby Campbell)
The Alice Ferguson Foundation’s educational programs unite students,
educators, park rangers, communities, regional organizations, and government
agencies throughout the Washington, DC, metropolitan area to promote the
environmental sustainability of the Potomac River watershed.
Our team of educators teaches more than 10,000 students annually
through an on-site program at the Hard Bargain Farm Environmental Center
and through Bridging the Watershed, an off-site partnership program providing
high school field studies in national parks. Our curriculum-based education
programs are designed to enhance each participant’s life experience and
environmental perspective while integrating a multitude of science, math,
language, and problem-solving skills into non-traditional, non-classroom based
learning opportunities. Student programs are complemented by workshops for
teachers and park rangers, and dynamic educational Web sites with activities
for youth and educators.
Students from C. Paul Barnhart in Waldorf, MD go birdwatching with HBF Educator Chris Ordiway. (image courtesy of the Ferguson Foundation)
The Foundation’s Annual Potomac River Watershed Cleanup has become
I n 1922, Alice and Henry Ferguson purchased the Hard Bargain a decisive catalyst for progress that ignites people throughout the watershed
Farm, a 130-acre plot of land along the eastern banks of the Poto- with the Fergusons’ community spirit. The largest regional event of its kind, the
mac River in Accokeek, MD, across from historic Mount Vernon. The Cleanup provides a transforming experience that engages citizens and com-
farm included pristine rolling hills, fields, woods, and streams. munity leaders and generates momentum for change. The Foundation also
Upon Alice’s death, Henry Ferguson established the Alice hosts annual special events open to the public, which include the Spring Farm
Ferguson Foundation in her memory, intended to foster and support Festival, Oktoberfest, summer concerts, and theater programs performed at
the local education system. This vision has led the organization to the Foundation’s outdoor amphitheater.
become a vibrant education center, which thousands of citizens Tel +1.301.292.5665
enjoy each year. www.FergusonFoundation.org
66 Best of DC Best of DC 2
Students are testing the water quality (photography by Becca Scott)