HomeConservation

Conservation

CCA has always been a strong and consistent force in preserving the natural environmental integrity of our watersheds. We simultaneously strive to protect the natural qualities of rivers and their tributaries in the Mid-Atlantic region, and work to preserve paddlers’ rights of access on these rivers. CCA founded the Potomac Conservancy, and co-founded the West Virginia Rivers Coalition.

Working with government agencies, conservation organizations, and community- based watershed groups, CCA’s conservation-minded members continue the battle against degradation of the natural environment along CCA’s favorite rivers and tributaries. We support preservation of natural forests, streamside buffer zones, stormwater management, watershed clean-up efforts, and streamside restoration with native species where needed.

It's easy to slice off a piece of conservation. Many of our conservation volunteers work on discreet projects, which are very helpful and which make a real difference - even if they can put in only an hour or two per month. CCA participates in the Annual Potomac River Watershed Clean-up organized by the Alice Ferguson Foundation, and organizes CCA clean-up trips on parts of the rivers that can only be accessed by small boat. In our everyday paddling activities, CCA trip leaders and individual paddlers consistently make the extra effort to pick up trash along the streams and at river access points.

CCA's Comments on EPA Definition of Waters of the US 1/4/2026

Comments from CCA on EPA's Proposed Rule:
Reconsideration of 2009 Endangerment Finding and Greenhouse Gas Vehicle Standards
CCA_Comment_Endangerment_Finding_Reconsideration_2025-09-15

No Tires in the River The No Tires in the River Bill 1/13/2025

CCA letter to MD DNR recommending the halt of the Upper Yough Trail Project 2/20/2023

CCA Wins ACA Green Paddle Award for 2019

Some specific ways to help include:

Communicating with other CCA members and others to inform them of new conservation and environmental threats.

Assisting fund raising activities to benefit organizations that work on protecting our local rivers.

Assisting with river cleanup programs.

Contacting Congress, your state, and local governments: tell your congressional representatives and local legislators how you feel about river conservation issues.

Working with a local watershed group to stay informed of the issues in your neighborhood.

Organizing a stream or river clean-up.

Always demonstrating positive environmental citizenship while using rivers.

Local Watershed and Conservation Groups

Allice Ferguson Foundation www.fergusonfoundation.org (Annual Potomac Watershed Cleanup)

Anacostia Watershed Society https://www.anacostiaws.org/

C&O Canal Trust https://www.canaltrust.org/

Goose Creek Association https://goosecreek.org/

Friends of the Occoquan http://www.friendsoftheoccoquan.org/

Friends of the Rappahannock http://www.riverfriends.org/ (Check out their RiverCam.)

Friends of Sligo Creek http://www.fosc.org

Neighbors of Northwest Branch https://neighborsnwb.org/

Muddy Branch Alliance https://muddybranch.org

Potomac Conservancy http://www.potomac.org

Potomac Riverkeeper Network https://www.potomacriverkeepernetwork.org/

Seneca Creek Watershed Partners https://www.senecacreekwp.org/

Regional and National Organizations

American Rivers http://www.americanrivers.org/

American Whitewater https://www.americanwhitewater.org/

Chesapeake Bay Foundation http://www.cbf.org/

Izaak Walton League http://www.iwla.org

Sierra Club https://www.sierraclub.org/

West Virginia Rivers Coalition http://www.wvrivers.org/

Conservation

Some specific ways to help include:

Local Watershed and Conservation Groups

Regional and National Organizations

Contact the CCA Conservation Committee at conservation@canoecruisers.org