Kingman Island

Kingman and Heritage Islands are manmade islands in the Anacostia River created as a part of an Army Corps of Engineers dredging project in 1916. In 2018, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser designated parts of the islands as State Conservation Areas and Critical Wildlife area, driven by the discovery of the locally endangered Virginia Mallow (Sida hermaphrodita). The park is owned by DC Department of Energy and Environment and managed by Living Classrooms of the National Capital Region. Today this public park is open 7 days a week, 365 days a year and is enjoyed by walkers, birders, bikers, anglers, runners, paddlers, nature lovers and more. 

As part of Living Classrooms management of the islands, the organization runs a variety of workforce development, environmental education, and community programs. Visitors will meet our team of full time and seasonal Rangers who conserve the islands, maintain facilities, complete construction projects, and support public programming. During the summer, Living Classrooms hosts young adult Jr. Rangers and Green Zone Environmental Program (GZEP) participants who learn hands on about stewardship, environmental conservation, sustainability, and outdoor recreation. Our environmental education team regularly leads K-12 field trips and after school programs on the islands throughout the school year. When the waters warm in the spring, Living Classrooms hosts Green Boats, a free citizen science program where participants head onto the river in kayaks to remove marine debris from the river. Each session is followed by a trash analysis weigh, sort, and discussion. Other public programs such as invasive species removals, trash clean ups, family events, fishing clinics, wildlife hikes and more are scheduled throughout the season. 

Contact Info: kingmanisland@livingclassroomsdc.org