Earth Day, 2009

Konterra participated as a sponsor in the Anacostia Watershed Society’s 2009 Earth Day celebration April 18 in Prince George’s County. More than 75 volunteers, many wearing “Konterra” t-shirts and baseball caps, participated in the trash clean up along with Citizens to Conserve and Restore Indian Creek (CCRIC).

“We hope this event will grow over time and we can have clean and aesthetically clear water running through Beltsville, even in the industrial areas,” said Caleb Gould, vice president of Konterra, as he tossed several rubber ties into a dumpster. “We enjoy these kinds of community projects. Personally and professionally, we have a culture and a long-standing commitment to working with the community.”

Gould was joined by several volunteers from the Konterra team, including Tom Archer, vice president of Forest City Washington; and Hillary Cahan, Kuni Matsuda, Laurie Edwards and Charles Lancaster, all of Gould Property Company. Lancaster and Forrest Kelly coordinated the Earth Day event, community outreach, and volunteer efforts.

Prince George’s County Council member Thomas E. Dernoga (Laurel) complimented the Konterra team for taking a leadership role in cleaning up the environment in the community that will soon be home to its 488-acre mixed-use development.

“Konterra is going to be a great economic benefit to Prince George’s County, but it could have a potential environmental impact,” said Dernoga, as he trudged through the thicket with three trash bags in tow. “It’s good to see Konterra working to bring environmental awareness about that potential impact and organizing the community to help clean up the downstream areas.” Along Indian Creek, volunteers filled 97 black trash bags and picked up 84 tires, two car bumpers, seven plastic buckets, a shopping cart, wheelchair, baby stroller, car seat, basketball hoop, television --and literally a “kitchen sink!” The River Party was not just hard work. Volunteers enjoyed donated donuts and coffee for breakfast and hamburgers, hotdogs and other refreshments for lunch.

Several citizens, who participated in the Earth Day celebration, talked about the significance of having Konterra as a business partner – a development team that takes time to “give back to the community” and helps beautify Prince George’s County.

“Konterra has done a lot to mitigate pollution and control any run-off in the last year,” said Pat Blankenship, chair of CCRIC, an 11 –year-old grassroots organization. “Indian Creek is cleaner now. They’re good to work with because they give a lot back.”