ABOUT THE ACCOKEEK FOUNDATION
Kyle Bray
Thomasina Coates
Rico Newman
David Proctor
Susie Proctor
Anna Sewell
Donell Sellow
Steve Swartz
Executive Director
Anjela Barnes
Who We Are
As a partner of the National Park Service in Piscataway Park, the Accokeek Foundation stewards 300 acres of the park while honoring the indigenous people and values that shaped this land By honoring the park’s river location, the Piscataway people, and the sacredness of this land, the Accokeek Foundation seeks to share with people and communities the value that this land holds.
Our Mission
The Accokeek Foundation’s mission is to cultivate passion for the natural and cultural heritage of Piscataway Park and commitment to stewardship and sustainability.
Our Vision
Accokeek Foundation will be a regional leader in community-driven education, ensuring that the land and stories of the region remain a living legacy for future generations.
LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT AND BOARD CHAIR
Dear Friends,
As we reflect on fiscal year 2024, we do so with immense gratitude and a renewed sense of purpose This past year has been one of thoughtful transition and tangible progress marked by leadership changes, programmatic growth, and meaningful improvements throughout Piscataway Park.
We extend our deepest thanks to Dr Virginia Busby, who concluded her service as Board Chair this year after leading with dedication since 2016 Having first joined the Board in 2014 and served as Secretary prior to her chairmanship, Virginia helped steward the organization through a critical decade of growth. We are honored to continue that momentum under the leadership of our new Board Chair, Joseph Harley.
This year, we transformed key areas of the park especially our demonstration gardens into vibrant learning and conservation spaces These gardens now serve as living archives, preserving rare, culturally significant seeds and native plants while deepening public understanding of regional agricultural heritage.
Our education programs have also undergone meaningful evolution With a focus on place-based learning, we are highlighting the region’s rich cultural history while centering the voices of the Piscataway people These efforts are engaging more students and educators in the story of this land, inspiring a deeper sense of stewardship across generations
We are proud of the growing number of volunteers who have deepened our conservation efforts from enhancing the health of the park’s tree canopy and protecting the iconic Mount Vernon view, to advancing community science and land stewardship initiatives
Looking ahead, we recognize both the challenges and the promise that lie before us This fall, we will launch new public programs and exhibits, paving the way toward the 2026 commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary. These milestones offer opportunities to expand the Foundation’s role in interpreting the cultural and environmental legacy of Piscataway Park
Thank you for being part of this journey Your support makes this work possible and together, we are preserving something truly enduring
With gratitude,
Anjela Barnes Executive Director Joseph Harley Chair, Board of Trustees
OUR IMPACT IN 2024:
100,000+
VISITORS SERVED
At the Accokeek Foundation, visitors experience the interconnectedness of all life, gaining a deeper understanding of Piscataway Park’s historical, cultural, and ecological significance.
Expanding Public Engagement & Education
Public events celebrated Indigenous culture and traditions, while honoring the enduring legacy of the Piscataway people through storytelling. New interpretive exhibits centered the Piscataway perspective, offering visitors a more complete understanding of this sacred landscape Educational programs for students and teachers provided immersive, land-based learning experiences that fostered ecological literacy and cultural awareness
Advancing Conservation & Stewardship
This year, we strengthened our commitment to ecological stewardship through hands-on restoration and community involvement. Renovated demonstration gardens now serve as living classrooms and seed-saving sites, preserving biodiversity and traditional agricultural knowledge Community-powered shoreline cleanups, invasive species removal, and citizen science programs engaged people of all ages in protecting the Potomac River’s ecosystems and deepening their connection to the land.
Strengthening Community Partnerships
Strategic partnerships were central to the Foundation’s impact. Collaboration with Piscataway tribal communities led to co-stewardship workshops, while ties with local schools and universities enhanced education programs The Foundation’s national presence was highlighted at events like the National Parks Alliance Fall Friends Meeting and the Society of Applied Anthropology Conference.
EXPANDING PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT
Earth Awakening
A reimagined festival honoring the reawakening of Mother Earth and the vibrant life she sustains in Piscataway Park. Over 450 visitors attended the Earth Awakening festival in 2024
Department of Transportation, National Trust for Historic Preservation, and Preservation Maryland
Winter’s Eve
An evening on the farm by candlelight with seasonal activities, cultural demonstrations, and fresh mulled cider by the fire. Over 160 visitors attended Winter’s Eve in 2024
Piscataway Voices
New wayside exhibits at Piscataway Park, launched in partnership with tribal leadership, that integrate the Indigenous perspective into park signage.
Piscataway Indian Nation Chief Mark Tayac shares stories of Piscataway culture
Expanding Public Engagement & Education
3,000 + served in 2024 from across the DMV students
297 teachers reached through education programming designed & piloted in alignment with Maryland state education standards
4 development professional sessions
4 programs new held for educators
Public Engagement & Education
980 lbs of trash removed from the shorelines of 3 miles of the Potomac River
1,680 hours of volunteering contributed in 2024
65 bird species documented through citizen science and wildlife monitoring initiatives
First Community Invasive Species Education Day held in collaboration with Park partners
STRENGTHENING
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS
Expanding Public Engagement & Education
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: CULTIVATING PARTNERSHIPS
In 2024, the Accokeek Foundation strengthened community engagement through collaborative projects that blend education, conservation, and cultural connection One standout initiative was a student-led partnership with George Washington University’s Students for Indigenous and Native American Rights (SINAR), who designed and installed a turtle-shaped native plant garden at our Education Center honoring Piscataway cultural symbols and supported by a Wild Ones: Seeds for Education grant
This project reflects our growing efforts to engage professional and emerging leaders across Southern Maryland and beyond Through hands-on collaboration, we are raising awareness of Piscataway Park as a place of outdoor recreation, learning, and service while deepening relationships that sustain long-term impact.
Together, we are cultivating stewardship and shaping a shared future grounded in reciprocity, education, and respect for this sacred landscape and throughout Southern Maryland.
Key partners of the Accokeek Foundation include:
Mallows Bay National Marine Sanctuary
Charles County Public Schools
Prince George’s County Public Schools
George Washington University
University of Maryland
Dumbarton Oaks
Southern Maryland National Heritage Area
The Nature Conservancy
RECOGNIZING VIRGINIA BUSBY BOARD SERVICE (2014-2024)
As we reflect on 2024, we are proud to honor Dr. Virginia Busby, who concluded a decade of distinguished service on the Accokeek Foundation’s Board of Trustees Since joining the Board in 2014, Virginia served first as Secretary and then as Chair beginning in 2016 Her leadership has been a reflection of values held sacred in Indigenous traditions honor, integrity, reciprocity, gratitude, and courage.
Throughout her tenure, Virginia led with a heart grounded in respect for both people and the land. She guided the Foundation through pivotal transitions with steady hands and a clear vision, championed cultural and environmental stewardship, and nurtured relationships with Tribal and conservation partners rooted in trust and mutual respect Her courageous commitment to service upheld the responsibility we all share as caretakers of this sacred place.
Virginia retired as Board Chair in September 2024 and was succeeded by Joseph Harley, who previously served as Vice Chair. We are deeply grateful for the wisdom, humility, and strength she brought to the Foundation, and we extend our heartfelt thanks to her and to all past and present Board members for their enduring commitment to our shared mission
2024 Board of Trustees
Dr Virginia Busby, Chair
Joseph Harley, Vice Chair
Regina Faden, Treasurer
Matt Hallett, Assistant Treasurer
Randi Korn, Secretary
Andrew Fellows
Judy Geli Robinson
Bonnetta Adeeb
Thomasina Coates
Rico Newman
David Proctor
Susie Proctor
Anna Sewell
The Accokeek Foundation presents Virginia Busby with a Native-designed Bear Medicine wool blanket The imagery symbolizes the mother bear carrying the medicine while protecting future generations - a fitting story for Virginia’s dedicated leadership
THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS
$25,000+
Chesapeake Bay Trust
Clark-Winchcole Foundation
Maryland Department of Natural Resources
Maryland Department of Transportation State
Highway Administration
Maryland State Department of Education
The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation
National Park Service
$10,000+
Wilton Corkern
Corina Higginson Trust
Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network
Maryland Center for History and Culture
Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association of the Union
National Harbor Convention Visitors Association
National Park Trust
Prince George’s County Government
Marc A Williams
$5,000+
Nancy Dodge
National Trust for Historic Preservation
Preservation Maryland
$1,000+
Joe & Erica Barry
Terry Greer
Randi Korn
Paul & Barbara Livingston
The Nature Conservancy
Lynnea C Salvo
Janell Saunders
Jim Thompson
$500+
Regina Faden
Andrew Fellows
Doria Fleisher
Anne Fortney
Joseph O. Harley
Sherrill Houghton
Betsy Howes-Bean
Logan Kistler & Anna Sewell
Sally Parker
J D Rogers
Vickie Walters
$250+
Laura Ford
Matthew Hallett
Douglas Hattaway
Karen Hoagberg
Hugh & Kristy Huettner
Sally Lowe
Alec Lynde
Rico Newman
Wanda Peterson-Parker
Judy Geli Robinson
Patricia Smith
Barbara Spohn
Gifts Made in Memory
In Memory of Mary Bruce Batte Corkern
Wilton Corkern – $100,000
In Memory of Frank Nicolai
The Parker Family - $500
2024 FINANCIALS
$1,043,661 $339,841 $171,761 $97,216 $2,291 $ 1,654,770
Stewardship (now combined with Agriculture) Total Program Services $ 618,661 $ 548,720 $ 1,167,381
Expenses $ 1,512,724 Change in Net Assets
Assets, beginning of year Net Assets, end of year $ 142,046 $ 2,352,127 $ 2,494,173
The Accokeek Foundation is a member-supported, non-profit organization that cultivates passion for the natural and cultural heritage of Piscataway Park and commitment to stewardship and sustainability A partner of the National Park Service, the Foundation stewards 200 acres of Piscataway Park and operates the National Colonial Farm A copy of the audited financial statement and IRS form 990 is available by calling 301-283-2113
