About Us

COG is the one place in metropolitan Washington that regularly brings leaders together to develop solutions to the region's major challenges. COG prepares plans enabling the region to receive federal funding, provides members with research and data to inform decision-making, and offers a wide range of programs, including commuter services, cooperative purchasing, technical assistance and grants, and public outreach campaigns.

Transportation

Through the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board (TPB), area officials, planners, and engineers ensure a well-managed and maintained transportation system. The TPB, which is staffed by COG, conducts the federally mandated transportation planning process for the region and ensures the uninterrupted flow of federal transportation funds that area jurisdictions receive.

Environment

COG's work engages leaders in various environmental fields from water quality experts to climate scientists. Together, they are advancing regional efforts to restore local waterways, improve air quality, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and address climate change, promote recycling, and enhance and preserve green space and agriculture.

Community

Area officials and experts, including planning and housing directors and child welfare and health officials, work together with their counterparts at COG to help shape stronger communities throughout the region.

Homeland Security & Public Safety

COG brings police chiefs, fire chiefs, emergency managers, and other leaders together as part of its work to strengthen regional public safety coordination, homeland security planning, and emergency communication.

Video Series: Collaboration in Action

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Introducing Collaboration in Action, COG's video series hosted by Executive Director Clark Mercer. The series spotlights COG's work with member jurisdictions and private, nonprofit, and civic organizations on a wide variety of programs and initiatives that improve the quality of life for everyone in our DMV region.

Come along as Clark takes you behind the scenes of several of our initiatives, spreading the word about the value of regional partnership and highlighting the leaders and experts in our network that are making a positive impact in our communities.

Don't miss an update or new episode of our Collaboration in Action video series by joining our newsletter list: mwcog.org/subscribe

SEASON 1

EPISODE 1: Restoring the Anacostia

In this inaugural episode, join COG Executive Director Clark Mercer as he takes viewers behind the scenes of the regional partnership focused on restoring the Anacostia Watershed. This work has led to major improvements for local streams, the river, and even the Chesapeake Bay – it’s all connected! It has also made it possible for us to hold major events like the Festival del Rio Anacostia to connect and educate local communities on the progress being made and additional work ahead.

Tune in for Clark's conversations with several of COG's partners in this amazing restoration, electro-fish with COG staff as they monitor our local biodiversity (it’s shocking!), and come along to learn about a new $1 million cleanup effort coordinated through COG, including a new app for area residents to report the location of trash and large debris.

Guests:

Ramón Palencia-Calvo, Maryland League of Conservation Voters
Trey Sherard, Anacostia Riverkeeper
Phong Trieu, COG Principal Environmental Planner

Resources:

Anacostia Watershed cleanup: COG receives nearly $1 million for new project to remove derelict vessels, large debris, and trash (News Release)
Anacostia Watershed Restoration Partnership (Collaboration between governments, communities, and the private sector led by COG)
Enjoy the Anacostia (Partnership's online guide to the Anacostia River, its land, and its tributaries)

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CONTACT: communications@mwcog.org