The last week of February is National Invasive Species Awareness Week, an annual initiative dedicated to raising awareness about the impact of invasive species and the importance of protecting native ecosystems. Leading the charge in Washington, D.C., is the Anacostia Watershed Society (AWS), a nonprofit organization committed to protecting and restoring the Anacostia River for everyone currently residing in its watershed and for future generations.
Bryan McKnight, a project manager on our landscape architecture team in D.C., previously worked with AWS, engaging local communities on ways to make sustainable, lasting impacts on their environment. When Bryan joined Timmons Group in 2021, AWS reached out with an opportunity for the firm to continue supporting its initiatives. Timmons Group has proudly collaborated with AWS for over three years on a wide variety of projects to help support its mission.
“There’s an obvious synergy there,” Bryan said. “Timmons Group has the technical expertise to support green infrastructure projects, and we also align with AWS’s commitment to sustainability.”
The D.C. Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) offers the RiverSmart programs, which provide financial incentives to help property owners install green infrastructure, such as rain barrels, permeable pavers, rain gardens, and shade trees, to help reduce harmful stormwater runoff into the local waterways and the Chesapeake Bay.
In collaboration with the DOEE, AWS supports the RiverSmart Communities Grant Program, which primarily assists nonprofit organizations and houses of worship in adopting green infrastructure solutions.
“Nine out of ten projects we work on through this program are houses of worship,” Bryan said. “These buildings often have large impervious surfaces, like rooftops and parking lots, which generate significant stormwater runoff. Through RiverSmart, we’re able to help these organizations implement sustainable solutions.”
An essential part of this program is that grant recipients are encouraged to educate their communities about the benefits of green infrastructure. Houses of worship are excellent candidates for this program because they are deeply involved with their communities, creating a mutually beneficial relationship.
Timmons Group has partnered with AWS on numerous projects over the years in support of this green infrastructure initiative. One standout project is the Christ Church, a historic landmark in southeast D.C. Built in 1806–1807, Christ Church is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
While the project required historic review approvals, its primary focus was on the implementation of green infrastructure. Timmons Group worked closely with AWS to design and implement permeable pavers and native plant gardens, also known as bayscapes, to help reduce runoff and enhance the church’s landscape.
Timmons Group’s role included schematic design, stormwater management, erosion and sediment control, permitting, construction administration, and tree protection for the site’s mature magnolias. But the firm’s commitment didn’t stop at the design phase.
“The cherry on top was that we got to participate hands-on,” Bryan said. “At Timmons Group, we receive eight hours of community service annually, so our team used part of that time to join AWS and plant the bayscapes ourselves.”
Bryan and several team members from our D.C. office have volunteered with AWS on multiple occasions to support vegetation monitoring along the Anacostia River. Their efforts have included removing invasive species, planting over 200 native plants, and, most recently, introducing native pollinators at Christ Church. These pollinators will help retain stormwater and create vital habitats for local wildlife, further improving the church’s ecological impact.
Through our partnership with AWS, Timmons Group has provided a full spectrum of services, including land survey, landscape architecture, and stormwater services, to support green infrastructure projects throughout the D.C. region. By combining technical expertise with community engagement, these efforts continue to make a meaningful impact by reinforcing environmental stewardship to create a cleaner, healthier future.
