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FEBRUARY 2021

February is Black History Month, where we celebrate the contributions and acknowledge the experiences of African Americans such as District residents Frederick Douglass, Mary McLeod Bethune and Paul Laurence Dunbar. For more information on the history of Black residents in Washington, DC visit the Slavery in the Presidents Neighborhood Project.

Black organizers have also long been involved in building a more environmentally sustainable DC. The year 2021 marks 20 years since the historic National People of Color Environmental Leadership Summit in Washington, DC. The pillars of the Summit remain instrumental in today’s environmental and climate movements. May we celebrate February as the preamble of the Summit states; “to respect and celebrate each of our cultures, languages and beliefs about the natural world and our roles in healing ourselves.”

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AWARDS

2021 District Sustainability Awards! Now Accepting Award Applications

Are you an environmental leader? Does your business operate sustainably? Is your organization working to build an equitable #SustainableDC?

The District of Columbia wants to recognize your environmental and community efforts with the 2021 District Sustainability Awards.

The application period is open Monday, February 15 through Friday, March 19, 2021. Categories include Individual, Business, Organization and Clean Energy DC. Click here to apply.

For more information, contact Mary Lynn Wilhere at marylynn.wilhere@dc.gov or (202) 870-2924.

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JOBS

Department of Energy & Environment (DOEE)

Environmental Protection Specialist, CS-0028-11, Job ID 12198 (2 positions). This position is located in the Natural Resources Administration, Inspection and Enforcement Division, Illicit Discharge and NPDES Branch. The announcement is open to the public and has a closing date of February 19, 2021. For more details, please visit the District’s career website at careers.dc.gov and in the search area please enter 12198.

GRANTS & FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

2021 Urban Agriculture Infrastructure Grant

DOEE's Office of Urban Agriculture seeks eligible applicants to build the capacity of new and existing urban farms in the District of Columbia through infrastructure improvements. Funds in the amount of $118,052 are available for this project, in individual grants up to $25,000. This grant aims to advance sustainable urban agriculture and farming operations, particularly for the benefit of socially disadvantaged farmers.

The deadline for application submissions is March 1, 2021, at 11:59 pmMore information is available here.

Healthy Schools Grant

The Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE), Division of Health and Wellness is soliciting applications for the District of Columbia Healthy Schools Grant. The purpose of this grant is to increase OSSE’s capacity to support District schools with implementing high-quality: (1) health education and physical education; and (2) place-based education programs.

OSSE will accept applications from District entities having a 501(c)(3) status with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Eligible entities may apply for an award up to $120,000. The deadline for application submission is April 6, 2021, at 3 pm. OSSE anticipates announcing award decisions on April 13, 2021.

For more information, including the Notice of Funding Request and the Request for Funding (available Feb. 24, 2021), please visit the Healthy Schools Grant website.

Schoolyard Conservation and Teacher Training Program

DOEE seeks eligible entities to help control, prevent, and remediate nonpoint sources of polluted runoff to District waters and the Chesapeake Bay by funding small-scale schoolyard conservation projects and training teachers to use these new schoolyard assets. The program also seeks to engage, educate, and empower District residents to become stewards of the District's waters and the Chesapeake Bay. The amount available for the project is approximately $65,000 for a 24-month period. Email a request to riversmartschools2021@dc.gov with “Request copy of RFA 2021-2107- WPD” in the subject line. Applications are due March 5, 2021 at 11:59 pm For more information, click here or contact riversmartschools2021@dc.gov.

EVENTS

DC Public Library Black History Month Programs

The DC Public Library celebrates the culture and accomplishments of Black people virtually. Throughout the month, District residents will be able to watch discussions, teen poetry and author talks on the Library’s social media platforms.  Here are some upcoming events:

For more information on events this month, visit the DC Library website.

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Take in virtual Black History Month Programming from the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAC)

Although the National Museum of African American History and Culture is currently closed to visitors, the museum is hosting a slew of fascinating virtual programs throughout February in honor of Black History Month. Here are some of the events taking place this month!

For more information on events this month, visit the NMAAC Culture website.

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It’s George Washington’s Birthday!

Celebrate our first president’s 289th birthday on February 22 with a virtual extravaganza hosted by The Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association. Expect a plethora of stories and birthday well-wished from historians, musicians, and actors. The guest list includes author Rick Atkinson, Grammy Award-winning violinist Joshua Bell, mezzo-soprano opera singer Denyce Graves and 26-time Grammy and Latin-Grammy Award-winner Juanes. All proceeds will go towards the preservation and restoration of Mount Vernon. Check it out here.

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eCYCLE Collection Events

By recycling used electronics, individuals can help recover valuable resources and properly manage potentially hazardous materials. eCYCLE DC, through manufacturers’ collection and recycling plans, will bring individuals in the District of Columbia more options for recycling their electronics.

  • Saturday, February 20, 10am-2pm 4500 Van Ness Street, NW (near Friendship Recreation Center) *Collection vehicle on Van Ness Street NW & 45th Street NW
  • Saturday, February 27, 10am-2pm 300 Van Buren Street, NW (near Tacoma Community Center) * Collection vehicle on corner of Van Buren Street NW & 4th Street NW
  • Saturday, March 6,,10am-2pm 2412 Rand Place, NE (near Arboretum Community Center) *Collection vehicle on Rand Place NE, east of 24th Street NE

For more information, visit the DOEE website or email productstewardship@dc.gov with questions.

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Audubon Naturalist Society’s 2021 - Taking Nature Black Conference

Join for a speakers series, meet new partners, build connections, learn how you can make your own work environment more inclusive and equitable, and be inspired in this virtual conference. Take Nature Black will run for five days from Tuesday, February 23 through Saturday February 27. See below for registration information. By going virtual for the first time, anyone can attend no matter where you live. Visit anshome.org/taking-nature-black to learn more about the speakers and conference.

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Learn about Field Experiences from Experts with Nature Connections: Livestream

Nature Connections: Livestream with Environmental Experts is a new series to provide students of all ages with virtual field experiences to locations in or around Washington, DC. Visit a waste management facility and a farm, learn about trees and cicadas, and more! The series begins on Thursday, February 25, 2021, and all sessions will take place from 10-10:30 am. To participate, teachers must sign up on behalf of their classroom. Visit the OSSE website for more information and to register. For questions, please contact Grace Manubay at Grace.Manubay@dc.gov.

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29th Annual Environmental Film Festival

The Environmental Film Festival is going virtual! This year, 100+ films will be presented to audiences throughout the City celebrating Earth, its inspirational impacts, stewardships through the eyes of film. Films, directors, and artists have collaborated with more than 100 different partners, including museums, embassies, universities, and theaters. The 29th Annual Festival will be virtual from March 18 through March 28. The Festival is one of the leading annual cultural events in Washington DC, winning the 2017 DC Mayor’s Award for Excellence in Creative Industries. To learn more about it, go here.

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Young, Gifted & Black: THEARC Theater Podcast

THEARC Theater team podcast explores the journey and stories of the staff, local artist, programming and productions, community advocacy and arts workforce rooted in the Black experience.

Black History Month Virtual Story Time

Join the DC Public Library for a special story time celebrating Black History Month on the Library's Facebook page.

A Celebration of African American Life and History: Trailblazer

Association for the Study of African American Life and History features an Author Talk with Mae Jemison.

Black in Place: The Spatial Aesthetics of Race in a Post-Chocolate City by Brandi Thompson Summers

Students can download for free.

LET'S GET CONNECTED!

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