Learning & Growing

District of Columbia sent this bulletin at 08/20/2020 08:30 AM EDT

AUGUST 2020

As we continue to adapt to the new normal of 2020, there are more and more ways to grow ourselves and our gardens, build personal and community resilience, and continue to learn in meaningful ways. In this newsletter, you will find resources to explore entrepreneurship and sustainability, and educational resources to support environmental learning at home for students of all ages.

In addition, DOEE is always looking to learn from you. How are you finding ways to live sustainably during this strange time? Are there elements of the Sustainable DC 2.0 Plan that feel most important to you as we build a city that is more resilient and equitable? If you or someone you someone doing work around any of the SDC 2.0 Plan actions, make sure you share it with us at or use the #SustainableDC hashtag. We would love to learn about your work, and how we can support you.

Finally, be sure to check out the official District of Columbia DC Government Coronavirus Website for updates on the pandemic, available resources, and new guidelines to keep each other safe as we envision a more sustainable world.

FREE ADULT EDUCATION FROM UDC CAUSES

Looking for community education programs or training opportunities in a virtual setting that can also help advance your academic and professional career? The College of Agriculture, Urban Sustainability and Environmental Sciences (CAUSES) has officially launched its FREE Land-Grant summer virtual courses and remote certificate programs. Nutrition, food safety, cooking skills, urban agriculture, and home gardening are just some of the available classes. For more information regarding these courses, please visit the CAUSES Virtual Learning Center.

CITY BLOSSOMS BILINGUAL RESOURCES

City Blossoms offers bilingual resources for children and young adults, including many home activities and virtual field trips to their gardens. The Sustainable City Scavenger Hunt allows participants to explore local ecosystems and animal habitats, learn kid-friendly plant-based recipes, and even perform some garden songs and dances. Find these and more free resources HERE.

ANACOSTIA WATERSHED SOCIETY’S LEARNING RESOURCES

Anacostia Watershed Society has compiled a fantastic set of activities, videos, projects, and other free resources for learning about the Anacostia River Watershed and its inhabitants. You can dive into materials about freshwater mussels and their role in keeping our rivers clean, the history and ecology of American shad, or the importance of wetlands. Each entry has resources for different ages of learners.

AUDUBON NATURALIST SOCIETY’S VIDEOS

Audubon Naturalist Society has videos for children and adults of all ages. The Garbology Playlist includes lessons and activities related to waste reduction and recycling, in both English and Spanish. You can also search the broader Audubon Naturalist Society playlist for engaging readings of many books, interviews with diverse conservation professionals, as well as nature-based craft projects to do at home.

MORE ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION RESOURCES

Many other community partners, including past and current recipients of the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) Environmental Literacy Advancement Grant have developed content to support environmental learning at home. Through these lessons and activities, students can still explore the world around them and discover their connection to the natural world.

EcoRise has bilingual resources to support a home water audit, eco-art, and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) activities.
FoodPrints Anywhere provides weekly activities that help build nutrition knowledge, extend science and math education, and help families cook and eat FoodPrints recipes together at home.
Project Learning Tree has a series of Activities for Families geared toward students ages 3-15, including these to green your home.
Washington Youth Garden has created a distance learning page that includes garden and science activities particularly geared towards elementary-aged students.

Find even more resources from OSSE grantees here.

RESOURCES TO GROW YOUR OWN PRODUCE

We’ve never seen so many gardens in the District before, and it’s not too late to plant yours now. Plant a few seeds or seedlings in a container on your balcony, by a sunny window, or in your yard, if you have space. More resources on gardening:

DPR Urban Grower Webinar Course - The DPR Urban Grower Webinar Course is a FREE online course focused on teaching people all the basics of gardening from building a home garden to cooking and preserving your harvest.

Landscape and Garden Watering Guide - DC Water and Waterwise offer tips on how to maintain a garden and landscape with minimal water use.

EPA Growing Gardens in Urban Soils - This EPA resource offers tips on how to minimize risks from urban soils and maximize plant health.

JOBS

Department of Energy and Environment, Equity & Engagement Program Analyst

The Urban Sustainability Administration at DOEE is hiring for an exciting role focused on the equitable implementation of environmental and sustainability projects, as well as developing stronger relationships with residents and community partners, particularly with those who have been less involved historically. This Program Analyst will work closely with the Sustainable DC team, as we work towards the Equity goals of Sustainable DC 2.0. Apply before September 2, 2020.

Visit the District’s career website at https://careers.dc.gov and in the search area, enter 11019.

District of Columbia Public Schools, Specialist, Energy and Sustainability Liaison

The Specialist, Energy and Sustainability Liaison will coordinate efforts with District of Columbia agencies regarding all energy and sustainability projects, and manage all work streams associated with this relationship. Currently there are several joint projects for the purpose of reducing DCPS energy related costs and aligning District-wide environmental initiatives.

For more information and to apply, please visit: https://sforce.co/313NSoi

Defenders of Wildlife Careers, Multiple Positions

Defenders of Wildlife is a conservation nonprofit that works on the ground, in the courts, and on Capitol Hill to protect and restore imperiled wildlife and habitats across North America. They are hiring for many positions based in Washington, DC, ranging from internships for Spring 2021 to Marketing Director and Government Relations representatives.

For more information and to apply, please visit: https://bit.ly/33OzHoV

Sun Power, Manager, Market Development and Policy

SunPower is seeking a Market Development and Policy Manager to lead state policy efforts with various public service commissions, state legislatures, and state agencies to drive residential, commercial and community solar and energy storage adoption in the Northeastern U.S. The successful candidate must be a self-starter, comfortable working remotely, and have experience navigating various regulatory dockets, filing public comments, and working in state legislatures. Frequent travel may be required at times. Location is flexible, although presence in a regional SunPower office is preferred.

For more information and to apply, please visit: https://bit.ly/31GnYWV

Dreaming Out Loud, Food Hub Director and Food Hub Assistant

Dreaming Out Loud (DOL) mission is to create economic opportunity within marginalized communities by building a healthy, equitable food system. DOL’s Food Hub operates as a food system matchmaker: reaching out to a range of potential customers, building relationships, and supplying them with local produce sourced from multiple local farms. The Food Hub Director is responsible for directing the food operations and growth strategy for DOL’s community food hub activities, efficiently moving best-quality local farm products to community-based food access points and to our wholesale customers. The Food Hub Assistant will assist the Market Manager and Farm team with all market and wholesale delivery work during the growing season.

For more information and to apply for either position, click here.

VOLUNTEER

Adopt-a-Park

Opportunities 24/7

All 8 Wards

Looking for an excuse to get outside and help keep DC clean and green? Consider adopting your neighborhood green space through DOEE’s Adopt-a-Park program! DOEE will connect you with resources and supplies, and in exchange, we ask for your help picking up litter, reporting safety concerns and illegal dumping, and engaging your neighbors in safely maintaining our city’s green spaces. For more information, please email Kyaira Ware at kyaira.ware@dc.gov or call (202) 815-4112.

DC Mutual Aid

Opportunities 24/7

All 8 Wards

The pandemic expanded the community-led support system of DC Mutual Aid in all 8 Wards of the District. From distributing essential food and hygiene resources to lending someone tools, there are a variety of ways in you can help. Click here to find out how to connect to the Mutual Aid in your neighborhood and how best you can support your neighbors.

Potomac Conservancy

All Summer Long

The Potomac Conservancy is planning a full lineup of small, safe events for the fall, to be led by their staff and a new team of Volunteer Leaders. If you want to build skills and have immediate impact for our watershed’s parks and streams, learn about joining their Volunteer Leadership Team. They will be training volunteers all summer long. For additional information, click here.

We Are Family DC

Saturdays, 9:45 am to 12:30 pm

Multiple Locations

Due to the COVID-19 health crisis, We Are Family has revamped their grocery delivery processes to protect the health and safety of our seniors and volunteers. Seniors need this support more than ever! Sign up for a volunteer shift and help deliver much needed resources to seniors. For additional volunteer information, click here.

EVENTS TO LEARN AND GROW

Small Business & Entrepreneurship Counseling

Thursdays in August, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm, Virtual

Are you looking for new ways to sell your goods or services through your own small business? Every Thursday for the rest of August, The Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD) Innovation and Equitable Development (InnoED) Division is partnering with the DC Small Business Development Center (DCSBDC) at Howard University to offer FREE counseling advice for DC entrepreneurs. They have consultants with expertise in a few industries especially affected during the ongoing public health emergency. To register, click HERE.

Creative Placemaking in the Time of COVID

September 2, 2020, 1:00 pm – 2:15 pm, Virtual

Creative Placemaking is the process of deliberately integrating arts, culture and community-engaged design into comprehensive community development. During the pandemic and the protests for racial justice, creative placemaking has emerged as a strategy to draw attention to injustice, elevate diverse voices, and create new opportunities for socially distanced community gathering and engagement. Join the Urban Land Institute and experts from across the United States to learn more about the present and future of creative placemaking. To learn more and register, click HERE.