Programs, Events, & Volunteers
Pride Paddle
This year, in honor of Pride Month, NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, in partnership with the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, will be hosting a series of Pride Paddles across the system in the months of June and July. Join Mallows Bay–Potomac River National Marine Sanctuary as we celebrate Ocean Month and LGBT Pride Month in conjunction with the #PrideInTheOcean campaign!
You are invited to join us on July 27th from 10am to 3pm for a fun-filled day of recreation on the Potomac River with Atlantic Kayak. Celebrate your Pride with boat decorating, paddling, and fun! Reserve a free kayak with Atlantic Kayak or bring your own vessel. Prefer to stay on land? Bring lunch and enjoy the boaters' works of art.
Things to bring:
- Sun protection (hats, sunglasses, sunscreen)
- Snacks and water (some will be provided)
- Clothes that can get wet
Date: Saturday, July 27th, 10:00am - 3:00pm
Location: Mattingly Avenue Park, 108 Mattingly Ave, Indian Head, MD 20640
Contact mallows.bay@noaa.gov for questions or concerns. View a flier with more information on the Pride event.
Women's Hike
Come join our women's group hike at Mallows Bay Park in Nanjemoy, Maryland! In collaboration with the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation and Mallows-Bay Potomac River National Marine Sanctuary, this event is part of the annual Get Into Your Sanctuary campaign. We aim to promote making the great outdoors more accessible to women. Experience a safe and supportive space where women can connect, share knowledge, and inspire each other to pursue their outdoor dreams, while exploring the beauty of Mallows Bay together!
Date and Time: Saturday, August 3, 9:30 a.m.
Location: Mallows Bay Park
1440 Wilson Landing Rd,
Nanjemoy, MD 20662
Hike Time: 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Hike Level: Easy/moderate
Hike Distance: about 2 miles
We will be going on an interpretive hike on the three main trails in Mallows Bay Park. These trails offer a diverse range of habitats and natural features to explore. Together, they form a scenic 2-mile loop.
Trail descriptions:
- Nature Loop: winds through wetland and forest habitats. Highlights along the trail include captivating views of the Ghost Fleet, a native plant meadow, a grove of pawpaw trees, and a freshwater wetland area with ecological features detailed on signage.
- Beaver Trail: follows along the Beaver Pond, where evidence of beaver activity can be seen. Past the pond, the trail enters a secondary succession forest with young trees.
- Ridge Trail: goes through a pine-dominated upland forest that offers a stunning wetland overlook and view of an active beaver lodge.
This event warmly welcomes everyone, including LGBTQIA+ individuals, and invites participants to bring children aged 10 and up.
Things to Bring:
- Reusable water bottle
- Snacks and drinking water
- Wear proper footwear and weather-appropriate clothing
- Sunscreen and hat
- Bug spray
Contact dana.sanchez@noaa.gov for questions or concerns.
Become a Citizen Scientist!
Come join the Potomac Riverkeeper to achieve the goal of a swimmable Potomac River. Although swimming in the river is currently prohibited, all users who come in contact with the water should be aware of bacterial levels and the potential for health concerns. The Potomac Riverkeeper is part of an international network of scientists and volunteers who sample and report the status through Swim Guide.
A new partnership between the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation and the Potomac Riverkeeper Network will develop a citizen science monitoring program at Mallows Bay focused on bacteria levels. This work will add to the body of weather and water data already available on the Mallows Bay water quality buoy that supports science and education as well as recreational and commercial uses. Potomac Riverkeeper will process the water quality samples aboard their floating laboratory Sea Dog. The monitoring results will be posted to Swim Guide and will help fill gaps in Potomac Riverkeeper's existing network along the river and contribute to a larger data set for more than 7000 beaches and waterways.
COVID-19 Update: Due to precautions associated with COVID-19, Potomac Riverkeeper is not able to host in-person training sessions for new volunteers. However, they are working to develop an online training module. In the interim, they will be asking their network of trained volunteers to conduct sampling at Mallows Bay this season with the hopes of adding new volunteers later in the year. Please continue to check this page for updates.
Be a Volunteer
All national marine sanctuaries rely on the energy and passion of volunteers. There are so many ways to be involved. Please consider adding your name to those who make it happen at Mallows Bay-Potomac River National Marine Sanctuary by contacting Sammy Orlando, Chesapeake Bay Regional Coordinator, at paul.orlando@noaa.gov.
Force Blue
Force Blue is a volunteer organization that unites two worlds by helping veterans and helping the environment. A team from Force Blue volunteered to conduct an initial survey of the subaquatic vegetation in Mallows Bay – Potomac River National Marine Sanctuary. The data that they collected provides much needed information on the various species and the health of the sanctuary.
National Marine Sanctuary Foundation
The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation enhances national marine sanctuaries in their goal to protect essential U.S. marine areas and to ensure a healthy ocean.