
Nathan Harrington, Founder and 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, chairing the Committee to Restore Shepherd Parkway and managing the Ward 8 Farmers Market. In 2019 he spearheaded the formation of the Ward 8 Woods Conservancy. He has also worked as a local urban gardener and professional tour guide.
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, chairing the Committee to Restore Shepherd Parkway and managing the Ward 8 Farmers Market. In 2019 he spearheaded the formation of the Ward 8 Woods Conservancy. He has also worked as a local urban gardener and professional tour guide.

Raymond Coates, Community Outreach Coordinator
Raymond Coates is a 61-year-old native Washingtonian who has spent his professional career as a community advocate and social service provider. He served in a variety of roles with the Edgewood/Brookland Family Support Collaborative, the North Capitol Family Support Collaborative, and Building Bridges to Success, Inc. Through this work, Mr. Coates became increasingly aware of the physical environment’s impact on the health and vitality of urban residents and resolved to work on fostering healthy relationships between humans and their environment. Mr. Coates is a graduate of the National Green Infrastructure Certification Program and is a Certified Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional. At present, he is a candidate for both the Master Gardener and Master Naturalist certification programs at the University of the District of Columbia. Mr. Coates lives in Ward 7 near Fort Dupont Park. He joined Ward 8 Woods in February 2021 because he is passionate about promoting economic opportunity through urban greening.
Raymond Coates is a 61-year-old native Washingtonian who has spent his professional career as a community advocate and social service provider. He served in a variety of roles with the Edgewood/Brookland Family Support Collaborative, the North Capitol Family Support Collaborative, and Building Bridges to Success, Inc. Through this work, Mr. Coates became increasingly aware of the physical environment’s impact on the health and vitality of urban residents and resolved to work on fostering healthy relationships between humans and their environment. Mr. Coates is a graduate of the National Green Infrastructure Certification Program and is a Certified Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional. At present, he is a candidate for both the Master Gardener and Master Naturalist certification programs at the University of the District of Columbia. Mr. Coates lives in Ward 7 near Fort Dupont Park. He joined Ward 8 Woods in February 2021 because he is passionate about promoting economic opportunity through urban greening.

Tarsha Small, Business Manager
Tarsha Small is a native Washingtonian and Ward 7 resident. She joins Ward 8 Woods with 20 years of experience in the accounting field. She started her career with the federal government, but saw a greater need in her community and switched to the nonprofit sector. Tarsha has written, supervised and overseen grants and performed full-cycle organizational accounting for nonprofits including the American Society of Hematology and National Alliance to End Homelessness. She holds a BS and MBA from the University of Maryland and is currently pursuing her CPA. She enjoys participating in community programs and spending time with her sons.
Tarsha Small is a native Washingtonian and Ward 7 resident. She joins Ward 8 Woods with 20 years of experience in the accounting field. She started her career with the federal government, but saw a greater need in her community and switched to the nonprofit sector. Tarsha has written, supervised and overseen grants and performed full-cycle organizational accounting for nonprofits including the American Society of Hematology and National Alliance to End Homelessness. She holds a BS and MBA from the University of Maryland and is currently pursuing her CPA. She enjoys participating in community programs and spending time with her sons.
Park Stewards
Since 2018, the Ward 8 Woods Park Steward program has provided meaningful work, living wage income, and green jobs training to Ward 8 residents who face barriers to employment. Park Stewards work in our woods and neighborhoods 10 to 20 hours a week, removing trash, cutting back invasive vines, planting trees, building trails, spreading our message, and preparing for career advancement in the environmental field. 2021 Park Stewards, from left: James Penn Henderson Blount Davon Abney Shaw Turner |