A two-story, brick pump house rises out of the Anacostia river, looking like a small fortress or something from a James Bond movie. To reach it, you walk on steel catwalk that extends 150-feet out from shore, above the river.
The young men and women gather in a large, high-ceilinged room at the back of the pump house. Bob Nixon feeds the wood stove at the front of the room, and then welcomes the group, saying, "This is going to be your new home. The Anacostia River is going to be where you work." Nixon, age 43, is the ECC's founder. He warns his audience this is the beginning of a 30-day trail period, during which their attendance, performance, attitude, initiative and willingness to learn will be assessed. It is going to be "like the Redskins," he says. "This is beginning day of training camp. You have to fight for some of these positions." |
Children gather in the pump house on the day a third set of eagles is introduced to a nest box on the Anacostia River (June 16, 1997) |