Nathan Harrington, Executive Director
Nathan Harrington was born in Washington, DC and grew up in Rockville, Maryland. After graduating from Bates College in Maine, he taught social studies and Spanish in DC area public schools for 11 years and earned an M.Ed Degree in Educational Leadership and Policy from Howard University. Nathan has lived and been civically active in Ward 8 since 2009. For his leadership of the Committee to Restore Shepherd Parkway since 2011, Harrington has been named an Outstanding Grassroots Service Honoree by the DC Federation of Civic Associations and an Anacostia River Hero by the Anacostia Watershed Society. Harrington launched Ward 8 Woods in 2018 as a pilot program sponsored by the Anacostia Coordinating Council and in 2019 spearheaded the incorporation of the Conservancy as 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. He has also worked as a director of the Ward 8 Farmers Market, a school garden leader, and a professional tour guide.
Art Slater, Business Manager
Art Slater is a native of New York City and a graduate of Georgetown University. He has served as treasurer for many local electoral campaigns and has taught computer science. As an active member of the Committee to Restore Shepherd Parkway since 2015, he was a key player in early advocacy efforts. As Director of Operations for the Anacostia Coordinating Council, he provided administrative support to Ward 8 Woods during it period of fiscal sponsorship, and continues in that capacity.
Nathan Harrington was born in Washington, DC and grew up in Rockville, Maryland. After graduating from Bates College in Maine, he taught social studies and Spanish in DC area public schools for 11 years and earned an M.Ed Degree in Educational Leadership and Policy from Howard University. Nathan has lived and been civically active in Ward 8 since 2009. For his leadership of the Committee to Restore Shepherd Parkway since 2011, Harrington has been named an Outstanding Grassroots Service Honoree by the DC Federation of Civic Associations and an Anacostia River Hero by the Anacostia Watershed Society. Harrington launched Ward 8 Woods in 2018 as a pilot program sponsored by the Anacostia Coordinating Council and in 2019 spearheaded the incorporation of the Conservancy as 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. He has also worked as a director of the Ward 8 Farmers Market, a school garden leader, and a professional tour guide.
Art Slater, Business Manager
Art Slater is a native of New York City and a graduate of Georgetown University. He has served as treasurer for many local electoral campaigns and has taught computer science. As an active member of the Committee to Restore Shepherd Parkway since 2015, he was a key player in early advocacy efforts. As Director of Operations for the Anacostia Coordinating Council, he provided administrative support to Ward 8 Woods during it period of fiscal sponsorship, and continues in that capacity.
Park Stewards
Our Park Stewards crew has been at the heart of Ward 8 Woods since it launched in the summer of 2018. We provide year-round, part-time employment to Ward 8 residents who are eager to work but face barriers to employment such as lack of education, legal history, and disability. Park Stewards remove trash and invasive species from the woods, talk to residents about environmental issues, and receive green jobs training.
In its first 16 months of work, the crew has removed roughly 200,000 pounds (100 tons) of trash and cut invasives vines from over 1,000 trees.
We currently have four Park Stewards: Robert Carpenter, Christopher Williams, Shockey Taylor,and Jomokin Dickens. In 2019 we averaged ten hours a week, but we hope to increase Park Steward hours in the future as funding allows.
Our Park Stewards crew has been at the heart of Ward 8 Woods since it launched in the summer of 2018. We provide year-round, part-time employment to Ward 8 residents who are eager to work but face barriers to employment such as lack of education, legal history, and disability. Park Stewards remove trash and invasive species from the woods, talk to residents about environmental issues, and receive green jobs training.
In its first 16 months of work, the crew has removed roughly 200,000 pounds (100 tons) of trash and cut invasives vines from over 1,000 trees.
We currently have four Park Stewards: Robert Carpenter, Christopher Williams, Shockey Taylor,and Jomokin Dickens. In 2019 we averaged ten hours a week, but we hope to increase Park Steward hours in the future as funding allows.