Rock Creek Conservation Crew (rC3)
RC3, short for the Rock Creek Conservation Corps, offers high school students in Washington, DC, and Montgomery County their first conservation job. This program not only imparts environmental education but also fosters lasting connections to Rock Creek’s parklands, our nearby public land. Participants often develop a keen interest in environmental science, establish healthy habits through park activities, and share their newfound stewardship values with their communities.
Since 2015, over 170 young individuals have taken part in RC3. We primarily recruit students from DC public schools, with a special focus on partner schools such as Capital City Public Charter School, E.L. Haynes Public Charter School, and Theodore Roosevelt High School. These schools, located near the eastern border of Rock Creek Park, serve neighborhoods historically with limited park access. With each new RC3 graduate, the dedication to conservation grows, creating a culture of environmental stewardship, and responsible public land use within these school communities.
In 2021, we expanded our program to include our first-ever Montgomery County-based RC3 crew, which included students from Albert Einstein High School in addition to the DC group!
As the years pass, we are excited about the prospect of extending our reach to more schools and expanding our restoration efforts in Rock Creek Park. Join us in this journey towards a greener, more sustainable future!
Get Ready for Summer 2024!
We are in the midst of an exciting summer of restoration with 20 local high school students. Stay tuned to hear about all the work they accomplish and invaluable lessons they learn! Below you can see the impact made by our crews last year.
Achievements for RC3 2023:
Both Washington, DC, and Montgomery County, MD crews exceeded their restoration goals.
DC Crew safeguarded tree canopies by removing 80% of invasive vines at Carter Barron Half Moon and Fort Slocum Mini Oases.
MoCo Crew removed over 90% of bush honeysuckle at The Music Center at Strathmore.
A combined effort resulted in the clearance of 11,880 sq ft of non-native invasive plants, freeing a total of 82 trees.
Collectively, 31 trash bags were collected, amounting to 465 pounds of debris in litter cleanups.
Stay connected with Rock Creek Conservation for more updates and opportunities to join us in our mission of ecological restoration and environmental stewardship.
For any questions or inquiries, please contact us at volunteer@rockcreekconservany.org.
Thanks to our partners who make rc3 possible!
This program was made possible in part by a grant from the National Park Foundation through the generous support of corporate donors.
Hear from one of our RC3 alums
Jelani White
Our dedicated RC3 crew members have been maintaining an Instagram page since 2021. If you are interested in the important work these amazing crew members do every summer, please make sure to follow them here.
