Animals

A combination of "brushy" riparian buffers, open fields, small wetlands, and wooded river edge give a variety of hunting and living spaces for osprey, bald eagles, song birds, and of course waterfowl. For more on birds being spotted in the area, go to http://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/Infocenter/Nps/park.htm and don't forget to keep your eye out for deer at the edge of woods, and river otter in the Anacostia River itself.

To see wildlife, it is best to come at dawn and dusk, and stay in one area quietly making your observations. You may find turtles mimicking rocks on the banks of the rivers, or a fox looking for a snack or dinner.

For your safety and theirs, never approach wildlife or allow them to approach you.

Nature & Science

Click here for a partial species list (200 Kb PDF) of one small section of Anacostia Park for an idea of what you might see here.

For over 70 years, Anacostia Park has been an experiment in providing recreational opportunities through a managed flood plain. In those years the economy has had its ups and downs. The Park Service has learned more on the importance of flood plain resources, and wetland restorations have been occurring as funding allows. The latest restoration finished was at Kingman Lake, but other restorations of wetlands are occurring for wildlife habitat, flood control and bio-diversity for the future. All of these decisions take place in the public eye. Feel free to contact the park staff for more information on past or planned restorations.

The Decision Notice and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail project was signed to approve the project.

Please click on the Animals and Plants buttons to the left for additional information for National Capital Park-East sites in the Anacostia River Watershed.

Plants

Cherry trees, the signature of spring in Washington, bloom along the Anacostia River. Other plants of significance are those that supported a civilization for thousands of years. Among these are northern wild rice, cattail, and a variety of berries. Nuphar, an ancient species, fills marshes along the Anacostia River, and adds to the beauty of milkweed, Joe Pye, and button bush.