For the Chestnuts, some of life’s most important lessons happened outdoors.
Around campfires and hiking trails. Along rivers and lakes. During long summer trips with children seeing the natural world for the very first time.
What began as simple family outings for six children growing up in Ward 7 became a lifelong commitment to environmental stewardship, youth mentorship and community service throughout Washington, D.C.
At UDC’s 49th Commencement Ceremony on May 9 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, the University of the District of Columbia will honor Dennis Lamar Chestnut and Zandra Millicent Chestnut with honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degrees in recognition of a lifetime spent strengthening communities, mentoring young people and advocating for environmental justice across the District — particularly east of the Anacostia River.
Earlier today, UDC’s College of Agriculture, Urban Sustainability and Environmental Sciences (CAUSES) celebrated the Chestnuts and their decades of environmental stewardship, mentorship and service to communities across the District.
For decades, the Chestnuts have worked side by side to improve the lives of Washingtonians and future generations through conservation, education, civic leadership and a deep commitment to community wellbeing.
The recognition feels deeply personal.
Dennis Chestnut attended Federal City College, one of UDC’s predecessor institutions, while Zandra Chestnut pursued coursework through another predecessor institution while balancing work and family responsibilities.
And recently, in what she described as a full-circle moment, Zandra Chestnut had started looking into programs in urban sustainability through UDC’s College of Agriculture, Urban Sustainability and Environmental Sciences shortly before learning she would instead be honored by the university itself.
“At first, I thought he was joking,” she said, laughing as she remembered the moment her husband read the official letter aloud. “I thought it was an April Fools prank.”
The couple said they are especially honored to be recognized alongside Muriel Bowser, whom they have known through years of civic and community work across the District. Dennis Chestnut recalled first meeting Bowser years ago when her father served as his supervisor — long before she became mayor of Washington, D.C.
For Dennis Chestnut, the Anacostia River has always been personal.
Growing up in segregated Washington, D.C., he learned to swim in the river at a time when Black children in his neighborhood had limited access to recreational facilities and no nearby public pool.
Years later, watching the river struggle under decades of pollution and neglect stayed with him.
“I realized it was a troubled and degraded river, and I wanted to improve things for the next generation,” he said.
That desire became the foundation for decades of environmental leadership and advocacy.
As former executive director of Groundwork Anacostia River D.C., Chestnut helped lead initiatives focused on environmental restoration, youth leadership and community engagement throughout the watershed.
But for him, restoring the river was never only about the water itself.
“If the communities are not healthy, the river could never be healthy,” he said.
That same philosophy shaped the way the Chestnuts raised their family.
After settling in Ward 7, they focused on creating the kind of life they wanted for their six children, who now range in age from 48 to 56.
They camped, hiked, boated and fished — often choosing activities that were affordable for a large family but rich in experience and connection.
Over time, those experiences expanded beyond their own household.
The couple began organizing trips for young people across the District, introducing children to places such as Yellowstone National Park and the Grand Canyon, often for the first time.
“We wanted them to see more,” Zandra Chestnut said.
To her, the outdoors represented more than recreation. It represented health, confidence and possibility.
“You are what you eat,” she often told her children, a philosophy that gradually led her deeper into gardening, agriculture and environmental stewardship.
As a volunteer water monitor along the Anacostia River, she regularly woke before sunrise to gather water samples near her home, carefully following collection procedures before sending them to laboratories for testing as part of ongoing restoration efforts.
The work was quiet and meticulous. But it mattered.
Together, the Chestnuts also coached youth track and field while continuing decades of environmental and community work throughout Washington.
Today, they remain active through organizations such as the Ward 7 Resilience Hub Community Coalition and other civic and environmental initiatives across the District.
Throughout their conversation, though, what stood out most was not the long list of organizations, awards or accomplishments.
It was the way they spoke about each other.
Zandra Chestnut said she is deeply grateful that her husband is being recognized for decades of work on behalf of the Anacostia River and the people of Washington, D.C.
Dennis Chestnut quickly redirected the praise back toward his wife.
He said none of it would have been possible without her.
“We’ve always been partners in everything,” he said.