A peaceful lakeside scene during sunset with a leafless tree, a bench, calm water, and a dock extending into the lake.

Two young girls planting or gardening in a backyard garden with a brick wall, flowers, and green plants around them.

A young girl with curly hair and braces is crouching in a garden, smiling at the camera, next to a row of green plants. Behind her, there are bags of garden soil and a painted flower pot.

A woman holding a young girl and smiling at each other in front of a decorated tree with blue and silver ribbons, in a park setting on a sidewalk with people walking and sitting nearby.

A group of people posing for a photo outdoors in front of a

A woman stands in front of a seated group of students in a classroom with colorful wall art and a wooden floor.

Group of children and a woman posing in a garden with vegetable beds and a fence behind them, under a partly cloudy sky.

Group of young students and an adult on stage holding a large award sign that says "Tweezerman Environmental Heroes Annual Grant Award" at an event, with a presentation screen in the background displaying a "Thanks!" message.

Pink cherry blossom tree in full bloom with sunlight shining through the branches.

Group of twelve young people and an adult woman standing together in front of a backdrop with various logos at an indoor event.

Pink flowers in the foreground with a marina and boats in the background, along with ducks swimming in the water.

A large group of people, including children and adults, gathered near a waterfront for a community event. Some are holding signs that say "Let's Walk 3 Miles," "Residents Forward," and related messages, with dogs accompanying them.

Two young women sitting together at a conference or event, smiling at the camera, wearing black tops and green lanyards, with a crowd of people in the background.

Group of six people standing outdoors next to a blue and white sign that says 'Long Island Sound Wild Life' and has a bird graphic, with a background of a dock and trees. All are wearing winter jackets.

Group of people standing behind tables with environmental awareness materials in an outdoor setting, promoting residents' environmental leadership and litter pickup event.

Port Washington resident Michelle Shain smiling and waving next to her live painted portrait of a man with a beard and glasses, surrounded by musical notes, trees, and outdoor event signs during the Art Walk.

A park pathway leading to a gazebo near a marina with boats, under a partly cloudy sky, surrounded by greenery and flowers, with a clock on a pole and street lamps.

Group of people standing outdoors on a beach, holding certificates, with water and a crane in the background, during sunset.

A man painting a sunset landscape on a small canvas outdoors, with people and a musician in the background.

RF Garden at Blumenfeld Park, photo by Stephanie Maiorana

Caring for Port Washington since 1968

Our Mission

To inspire and unify the residents of Port Washington to protect and advance the vibrancy, resiliency, sustainability and beauty of our peninsula.

Residents Forward advocates standing in front of a podium to discuss for our local water systems.

Advocacy

Our advocacy is dedicated towards protecting our town’s water resources, land use, and a strong local economy. We work with local organizations, civic groups, and government partners, to reflect the shared values and priorities of our community.

Titled 'Port Sunset' this wall mural depicts a wooden dock extending into a body of water at sunset, with a silhouette of a saxophone player on the dock, surrounded by trees and outdoor lighting.

Beautification

Our beautification efforts give residents the joy of beautiful community gardens, colorful planters along Main Street, vibrant murals and tree canopy. We help residents care for our environment and Give a Litter Bit with clean up stations and events.

This student led mural 'The future is in our hands' was created in coordination with the RF Youth Climate Summit

Education

Our Cultivating Environmental Leadership programming is hands-on and minds-on. Increasing in complexity as students grow and go from K-12th grade. Each program cultivates environmental awareness, collaboration, leadership and application to the real world.

Guests gather by a swimming pool at the Residents Forward Gala - near a large brick mansion the Manhasset Bay Yacht Club, surrounded by trees and greenery.

Events

Our events positively impact the community and activates our work. RF signature events Residents Gala, Art Walk, Youth Climate Summit, community clean up and others - meet ups and walks, connect and inspire stewardship and a more connected hometown.

A peaceful harbor scene with sailboats anchored in calm waters under a partly cloudy blue sky, with a promenade lined with green bushes, pink flowers, and a stone pathway in the foreground. Showcasing the Port Washington town docks.

About us

Founded in 1968, Residents Forward is a Port Washington-based nonpartisan (501-C3) nonprofit organization, dedicated to creating a cleaner, greener, vibrant and sustainable peninsula. Through hands-on environmental education, beautification initiatives, data-driven advocacy, sustainability criteria and community wide events, we empower residents of all ages to protect and enhance the natural environment of our hometown. We inspire community-driven stewardship that keeps Port Washington a beautiful, thriving and sustainable peninsula to call home for generations to come.

We are rooted here, and as a coastal community - connected everywhere

Learn more