Projects
The District of Columbia’s Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) owns and manages Kingman and Heritage Islands, the District’s first state conservation area. The agency and community partners activate the Islands in a number of ways. This page offers an overview of several key projects currently active on the Islands and where to learn more information and get further engaged.
On This Page:
Kingman Island hosts the District of Columbia’s only known occurrence of the globally rare Virginia mallow, Ripariosida hermaphrodita.
Photo by Sarver Ecological
Ecological Restoration
As a natural oasis adjacent to the District’s urban core, the conservation and restoration of Kingman + Heritage Islands are the top priority. From 2022-2025, DOEE grantees, Resource Environmental Solutions (RES) and Sarver Ecological, created a comprehensive ecological restoration plan for the Islands. First, they conducted an inventory and analysis of plant and animal species to better understand patterns of movement to support natural ecosystem development on Kingman + Heritage Islands. Crews then removed legacy concrete, creosote poles, and construction debris; cleared over 37 acres of invasive plants; and planted 35,000 native trees, shrubs and perennials based on the Plant Community Plan.
These efforts will restore the seed bank and help native flora re-emerge. Wildlife and areas of special conservation need, such as the vernal pools and Virginia mallow field, are being preserved and protected. A maintenance plan provides guidelines to continue to control invasive plant overgrowth and native plant propagation and provides guardrails for protecting ecosystems during design and construction of trails and amenities.
More info coming soon.
Trails and Amenities Design
With more than 100,000 visitors annually, including thousands of students participating in educational programming, the Islands play an increasingly important role in connecting people to nature. Growing visitation and educational programming have created a need for improvements that better support these activities while protecting the natural habitat. The project was developed to expand opportunities for community members and students to learn, explore, and connect with nature.
More info coming soon.
Wetland Enhancements
Expanding upon the Kingman wetland restoration and enhancement projects from the early 2000s, the Kingman Wetlands projects of the 2020s aim to restore and enhance over 50 acres of fresh water tidal emergent wetlands and submerged aquatic vegetation areas in Kingman Lake. This project is in the design phase now and will be constructed by 2028.
Learn more here.
Kingman Ranger Antonio leads a planting volunteer event with DC United.
Photo by DC United
Workforce Development
The Kingman Rangers Program is a DOEE-funded workforce development initiative that equips District adults and high school students with the skills and experience needed to launch careers in the green economy. While gaining hands-on training, Rangers actively contribute to the beautification, restoration, and stewardship of Kingman and Heritage Islands.
Learn more here.
DCPS fourth graders at the Anacostia Environmental Youth Summit.
Photo by Vinicio Linares for DOEE
Environmental Education
Kingman and Heritage Islands provide a great outdoor classroom for students to learn about the natural habitats in DC’s urban environment. DOEE and nonprofit partners provide various environmental education opportunities for District students.
Learn more here.
Related Projects Nearby
RFK Campus Redevelopment
In April 2025, administration jurisdiction of the 180-acre RFK Campus - which borders Kingman and Heritage Islands - was transferred to the District. As part of this transfer, DC was given a 99-year lease to oversee development of the property. The District has partnered with the Washington Commanders football team and other stakeholders to transform the property into a world-class, mixed-use district with a stadium at its core and housing parks and recreation, hotels, restaurants, retail, and neighborhood amenities.
Learn more here.
River Terrace Wetland Enhancement Project
DOEE is funding a wetland enhancement project in River Terrace, a neighborhood that borders the eastern side of the Anacostia River across from Kingman Island. The project involves invasive treatment and native plantings in 11 acres of marsh and the riparian buffer in River Terrace Park. Additionally, the project seeks to enhance the visitor experience through community engagement and improved sightlines within the wetland and buffer. DOEE has issued a grant to Actaeon, LLC to complete the wetland enhancement project.
Learn more here.
Additional related projects to be added soon.
Past Project Documents and Initiatives
Anacostia River Corridor Restoration Plan (2024): The Anacostia River Corridor Restoration Plan (ARCRP) was a three-year restoration planning project for the Anacostia River corridor within the District of Columbia. The plan identified and prioritized specific strategies for restoring fish and wildlife habitat, improving water quality, adapting to climate change, and increasing equitable public access to the river corridor.
Kingman + Heritage Island Community Meeting Series (2021): DOEE hosted a series of Kingman and Heritage Islands Community Envisioning Meetings starting in the spring of 2021 focused on various topics including; the overarching scope and project goals, Boating Access and Ecological Restoration, Education and Programming, and Inclusive Access and Safety. Visit this page to view the presentations, review the meeting minutes, and watch a recording of the meetings.
Kingman + Heritage Islands Planning and Feasibility Study (2017): The overall project scope for the improvements to Kingman & Heritage Island will generally follow and execute the vision of the Kingman Island and Heritage Island Planning and Feasibility Study released in October 2017. Updates were made in 2021 and 2022.
Anacostia Waterfront Framework Plan (2003): Developed in 2003and updated in 2004, the Anacostia Waterfront Framework Plan outlines the general vision for Kingman and Heritage Islands in the context of other plans along the Anacostia Corridor and the neighborhoods surrounding the River.