Wandering Maryland’s Waterways: A Local Leader’s Perspective

On a crisp autumn morning last fall, Councilmember Cashenna Cross joined 22 of her fellow local government leaders from across Prince George’s County, Maryland to tour stormwater infrastructure and management solutions that protect, prepare, and pay off for local communities. This Wandering Maryland’s Waterways tour showcased community green infrastructure practices at University Christian Church, flood protection measures at the Edmonston Stormwater Pumping Station, natural pollutant management strategies at Bladensburg Waterfront Park, and conservation and restoration with Anacostia Watershed Society.

A decorated U.S. Air Force veteran turned public servant, Dr. Cashenna Cross is a powerful advocate for the City of Glenarden and Maryland at large. After 20 years of active duty in the U.S. Air Force, Councilmember Cross had not planned to enter politics until her faith led her to public service. In 2021, she was elected as Glenarden’s 18th Mayor, becoming the third female Mayor in the city’s 85-year history. In her tenure as Mayor, she launched and oversaw 87 community programs, and championed the revitalization of local parks and housing. She now continues her service on the City Council as Councilmember At-Large.

“I approach public service with peaceful humility, professional accountability, and a deep responsibility to lead with integrity, especially when the work is difficult or unseen.” – Councilmember Cross

Join us to learn more about Councilmember Cross’ experience on the tour below.

Q: Tell us about your town and what your community is already doing around stormwater?

A: Glenarden is a small but resilient municipality in Prince George’s County, situated within the Anacostia Watershed. Like many established communities, we face stormwater challenges related to aging infrastructure and regional systems that cross municipal boundaries. Our residents understand that stormwater management is not just an environmental concern—it affects public safety, neighborhood stability, and quality of life. The community actively participates in seasonal cleanups, works in coordination with Prince George’s County on stormwater initiatives, and emphasizes education, prevention, and routine maintenance to reduce debris and runoff. Our approach focuses on collaboration and long-term stewardship of shared waterways.

Local government leaders cast off to learn about conservation and restoration efforts along the Anacostia River, captained by Chris Williams, President & CEO of the Anacostia Watershed Society.

Q: How would you describe this tour to a fellow local government leader?

A: This tour truly opens your eyes to the environmental and community concerns surrounding the Anacostia waterway and the neighboring Prince George’s County areas that face flooding along its banks. It highlights the serious impact of waste, stormwater runoff, and the ongoing need for protection of our waterways and nearby communities.

What becomes clear is that a coordinated corporate and community response is needed—not only to preserve our natural waterways but also to safeguard our historical landmarks and infrastructure. As efforts continue around bacteria reformation, ethanol, and clean-energy innovations, we must ensure that our local schools are preparing students with the training and awareness to engage in these emerging environmental and economic solutions.

I encourage everyone to take this tour—ride the bus, visit the water pump stations, and gain a deeper appreciation for the value of these conservation efforts. It’s an experience that connects policy, science, and community in a truly powerful way.

Archimedes screw turbines at the Edmonston Stormwater Pumping Station lift gallons of stormwater up 20 feet from the town into the Anacostia River.

Q: What was the most interesting or impactful stop on the tour for you and why?

A: The most impactful part of the tour was seeing the Anacostia Watershed in motion across multiple Prince George’s County communities. Visiting the water filtration plant and watching water move through massive, powerful systems made the connectivity of our waterways tangible and real. It reinforced that what happens in one community directly affects many others.

Equally compelling was learning about the ongoing research related to stormwater and algae and its potential role in future energy and sustainability solutions. Seeing the ingenuity, attention to detail, and passion of the professionals doing this work highlighted how much opportunity remains untapped. Nature already provides many of the answers; our responsibility is to invest wisely, protect these systems, and clear the way for innovation that supports healthier, more resilient communities for generations to come.

Buckets of algae harvested from the Algal Turf Scrubber at Bladensburg Waterfront Park, permanently removing excess nutrients and sediment build-up from the Anacostia River.

Q: What action(s) are you considering for your community based on what you learned and saw on the tour?

A: Based on what I observed during the tour, I am considering several community-focused actions:

1. Community Education & Engagement: Initiating local workshops and town-hall briefings to inform residents about stormwater management, conservation practices, and ways to reduce pollution runoff at the neighborhood level.
2. School Partnerships for Environmental Training: Encouraging Glenarden schools to integrate environmental science and sustainability training tied to emerging clean-energy technologies—such as biofuel development and water quality testing—so our youth become part of the long-term solution.
3. Regional Collaboration: Strengthening our collaboration with Prince George’s County, M-NCPPC, and the Anacostia Watershed Society to ensure Glenarden is actively participating in regional stormwater and conservation planning efforts.
4. Infrastructure Review: Assessing Glenarden’s current drainage systems and flood-prone areas to identify mitigation and green-infrastructure projects that align with the broader watershed improvement goals.

Through these steps, we can ensure Glenarden plays its part in protecting not only the waterways, but also the health, history, and resilience of our community.

Local government leaders tour community green infrastructure practices at University Christian Church.

Q: Do you have any final reflections or closing thoughts from the tour?

A: The tour was both enlightening and impactful, offering a firsthand look at the environmental, economic, and historical challenges that connect our communities along the Anacostia waterway. I especially appreciated the balance between technical insight and practical application—it allowed participants to visualize how regional decisions affect local outcomes.

It would be beneficial to continue offering these immersive, hands-on experiences for elected officials, educators, and community stakeholders. They foster not only awareness, but also accountability and shared purpose.

Overall, this was an excellent initiative—one that reinforces the importance of intergovernmental cooperation, community education, and sustainable innovation for the long-term health of our waterways and neighborhoods.

Thank you again Councilmember Cross for joining us on the Wandering Maryland’s Waterways tour!

Councilmember Cross poses with fellow Prince George’s County leaders as the bus sets out on the Wandering Maryland’s Waterways tour.

Where is Wandering Waterways Going Next?

Since its pilot in 2019, the Wandering Waterways series has gathered 300 local officials across 14 different tours in Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Delaware, West Virginia, New York, the Delmarva peninsula, and the District of Columbia to learn about topics including green infrastructure, innovative agricultural practices, clean water initiatives, and solutions to localized flooding.

This spring, the Wandering Waterways series will head back to Delmarva to explore how local governments balance growth, land preservation, agriculture, and redevelopment through practical land use strategies that protect waterways and local priorities. Stay tuned for more Wandering Waterways stories!

Are you interested in collaborating on a future Wandering Waterways tour? Complete this interest form!