April 2023
Photo Credit: Taney Simon
There are only a few things that every person has in common. But one common link is that we all share the same home: planet Earth. While many efforts to live sustainably with the Earth were ongoing for generations before, a new movement was sparked with the first Earth Day on April 22 in 1970. At the time, there was no U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, no Clean Air Act, and no Clean Water Act. The impact of the implementation of these landmark milestones is still felt today. For example, the Clean Water Act is behind the massive Clean Rivers Project led by DC Water that’s reducing sewer overflows into the District’s waterways and bringing us closer to fishable and swimmable rivers.
More than 50 years after the first event, Earth Day is still alive and well. There are plenty of opportunities to celebrate right here in the District. Check out the events section below for activities to join, or get out there and celebrate your own way with a local cleanup, educational event, or otherwise!
Curbside Composting Pilot Program Signups Start April 22
Starting this summer, the Department of Public Works' Office of Waste Diversion will launch the Curbside Composting Pilot Program, which will provide curbside food waste collection to 12,000 single-family households in the District of Columbia for one year. Interested households must sign up to participate in the Curbside Composting Pilot Program. Up to 1,500 households within each of the city's eight wards will be selected on a first-come, first-served basis. Sign-ups will open on April 22 at 9 am. For more information, please visit https://zerowaste.dc.gov/curbsidecomposting.
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Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments’ Climate and Energy Leadership Awards Nominations Open April 22
The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments’ Climate and Energy Leadership Awards recognize organizations that develop climate stewardship projects and programs that engage and serve the region’s underserved communities. The awards program highlights a broad range of climate solutions for their unique engagement practices as well as their results, creativity, and replicability.
The award categories include:
- Government Agency
- Non-Governmental Organization
- Educational Institution
The application period opens on April 22. For more information, please visit https://www.mwcog.org/environment/planning-areas/climate-and-energy/climate-awards/.
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Ditch the Disposables Grant Awardees Announced
The Department of Energy and Environment’s (DOEE’s) Ditch the Disposables program, part of Zero Waste DC, aims to reduce the use of disposable foodware throughout the District by providing grants to support transitions to reusable foodware at restaurants and food-serving entities. For the 2022-2023 grant cycle, eight projects totaling $173,843 were awarded:
To read more about the awardees, please visit https://doee.dc.gov/disposables.
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Local Food Businesses Can Access Free Composting
The Department of Small and Local Business Development’s Food Waste Innovation Grant (FWIG) makes it free and easy to start composting. Working directly with Compost Cab, a local certified business enterprise, eligible food businesses can receive:
- Free waste assessments by appointment through September 30.
- Up to six months free Compost Cab organics pickup services, no long-term commitment required. Credits to be awarded through June 15, or until credits run out.
To participate, simply complete and submit this two-minute form. So who’s eligible? Properly licensed businesses operating in DC that (1) produce, process, and/or serve food or beverages (2) employ fewer than 25 people (full-time equivalents) under that business license/cottage certificate, and (3) have not activated Compost Credits under any previous iteration of the FWIG. Note you'll need your DC business license number or cottage business certificate number handy. Questions? Email fwig@compostcab.com or visit compostcab.com/fwig.
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Sustainable DC Progress Report Coming Soon
The 2023 Sustainable DC Progress Report, highlighting key environmental, equity, and economic achievements from the past year, will be released soon! Keep an eye out for it on the Sustainable DC website. This year the report will be combined with the Clean Energy DC and Climate Ready DC progress reports. We can’t wait to share the progress we’ve made with you!
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 Hello everybody! It’s your Sustainable DC Ambassador, Anna Heilferty! Are you looking for a fun and educational way to celebrate Earth Day?
Look no further than the Washington Spirit’s first-ever Sustainability Night, where we’ll be promoting environmental awareness and celebrating the local organizations that make the District a hub for sustainability initiatives. Join us on April 22 at Audi Field (gates open at 5:30 pm and kickoff is at 7pm) for a night of fun, as we host a variety of local groups including Friends of Anacostia Park, Casey Trees, Living Classrooms, Washington Area Bicyclist Association, Anacostia Watershed Society, Anacostia Riverkeeper, DOEE, District Department of Transportation, and Food Rescue US.
Come out and learn about the amazing work these organizations are doing to protect our environment, and how you can get involved. Enjoy giveaways and fun activities for all ages and stay tuned for a special announcement about our new sustainability initiative.
Our goal is to showcase the amazing work of local organizations and engage our community in making DC a more sustainable and environmentally conscious city. So mark your calendars and come out to support our local environmental network at the Washington Spirit's Sustainability Night!!
GRANTS & FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
Request for Applications - Anacostia River Watershed Trash Trap Maintenance
DOEE seeks eligible entities to propose ways to monitor and maintain trash traps, provide environmental workforce development, and educate District residents about pollution that impairs the District’s waterbodies. A successful applicant will propose ways to design and implement a trash trap maintenance program for eight (8) trash traps in the Anacostia Watershed for two (2) years to recruit, train, and employ District residents to assist; and to coordinate opportunities for volunteers to assist with maintenance and learn about the need for trash reduction in District waters and watersheds. The amount available for the project is $375,000 for a two-year project. The deadline for application submissions is May 8. For more information, please visit https://doee.dc.gov/node/1654746.
Request for Partners: Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Discretionary Grant
DOEE seeks to identify an eligible partner on projects that will reduce transportation barriers, particularly those lacking access to reliable clean transportation options, through increased access to clean transportation alternatives that would ultimately increase usage of electric vehicles and other clean multimodal forms of transportation in the District. DOEE seeks partners for its application to a competitive US Department of Transportation grant opportunity to offer technical expertise, service and infrastructure capabilities, knowledge, funding and financial support, and strategic locations to deploy clean transportation infrastructure and service. The deadline for application submissions is May 15. For more information, please visit https://doee.dc.gov/node/1656026.
JOBS
Three Part Harmony Farm – Seasonal Farm Staff
Three Part Harmony Farm, which primarily grows diversified veggies for a 100-member community supported agriculture program and a few wholesale customers, is hiring to fill 32 hours per week (one or more people, depending on interest) to join its seasonal crew which helps with the production of vegetables in the field and high tunnels as well as with the harvesting. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. For more information, visit this webpage.
City Blossoms – Youth Entrepreneurship Cooperative Program Manager
City Blossoms is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that cultivates the well-being of communities through creative programming in kid-driven gardens. The Youth Entrepreneurship Cooperative program aims to foster an environment where youth, predominantly ages fifteen to nineteen, particularly from dense urban settings, can have access to and develop relationships with nature, food, and each other through gardening-based education and activities. The Youth Entrepreneurship Cooperative Program Manager is responsible for program implementation based on guidance from the City Blossoms Strategic Plan and the Executive Director. Program implementation includes leading educational workshops, monitoring program work plans, data collection, managing budgets, and coordinating partner activities and communications. The deadline to apply is April 30. For more information, visit this webpage.
EVENTS
Dreaming Out Loud Spring Festival
Dreaming Out Loud’s mission is to create economic opportunities for the DC metro region’s marginalized communities through building a healthy, equitable food system. Join Dreaming Out Loud for its annual Spring Festival on Saturday April 22 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The day will include food, music, and more as the organization celebrates spring and the upcoming growing season.
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Launch of Smithsonian’s Center for Environmental Justice at the Anacostia Community Museum
The Anacostia Community Museum (ACM) will be launching the Smithsonian’s Center for Environmental Justice on Saturday April 22, from 10:30 am to 11:00 am. Ellen Stofan, the Under Secretary for Science and Research at the Smithsonian, will be joining, and the ACM gardens will be opened for the season. For more information about the launch, please visit s.si.edu/cejlaunch.
As part of the launch, and in honor of Earth Day, ACM will also be hosting an all-day family-friendly festival, celebrating all things environment. The event runs from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on April 22, and includes the inaugural weekend of the FRESHFARM x ACM Farm Stand! You can find out more about the Honor Earth: Earth Day Celebration at anacostia.si.edu/earthday.
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Bread to Tap: Food Waste Prevention Week Celebration
Please join the DC Food Recovery Working Group to celebrate National Food Waste Reduction Week at Right Proper Brewery! The event will include dozens of regional food waste fighters and pints of Urban Garden Brewing’s newest brew, which replaces grain with leftover bread from RavenHook Bakehouse. Attendees can learn about food waste prevention, food rescue, food upcycling, composting, plus get their hands on some amazing upcycled products. The event will be on Sunday April 23 from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. To register, please visit the Eventbrite page.
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“If You Could See Your Emissions” Display as Part of Air Quality Awareness Week
In the lead up to Air Quality Awareness Week, DOEE is hosting an event in partnership with Clean Air Partners at Annie's Ace Hardware in Brookland on Saturday April 29 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The Backyard Bubble event is an "If You Could See Your Emissions" demonstration to educate the public about air pollution sources and ways to reduce emissions from lawn and gardening activities. Come by to talk to DOEE staff members about air quality both inside and outside of your home, as well as to staff from the DC Sustainable Energy Utility. Throughout Air Quality Awareness Week (May 1-5), DOEE will be distributing air quality index magnets at Metro stations in wards 6, 7, and 8 and posting on DOEE’s social media about air quality and your health.
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Our Planet, Our Future - An Office of the People’s Counsel Youth Climate Summit
Featuring speakers, panels, breakouts, and networking, this Office of the People’s Counsel (OPC) Youth Climate Summit will educate and empower Gen Z and Millennials to bring climate action and advocacy into all areas of their life, from the brands they shop to the jobs they get. Environmental stakeholders and District residents of all ages are invited to attend. The summit is on Saturday April 29 from 10:30 am to 3:30 pm. To register, please visit the Eventbrite page.
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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, is bringing District residents more options for recycling their electronics.
The following items are banned from the trash and are collected at the eCYCLE DC collection events: computers and monitors, tablets, e-readers, mice, keyboards, DVD or VCR players, printers, televisions, game consoles, and portable music players. For more information, check out this fact sheet.
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Sunday, April 23, 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. MacArthur Blvd NW and 48th Pl NW (Ward 3, near Palisades Farmers Market)
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Thursday, April 27, 2023, 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. 305 Fort Slemmer Drive NE (Ward 5, at O’Boyle Hall Parking Lot)
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Saturday, April 29, 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. 33rd St NW between Quesada St NW & Patterson St NW (Ward 4, near Lafayette-Pointer Recreation Center)
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Saturday, May 13, 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. West of farmers market in or near parking lot of 700 Monroe St NE (Ward 5, near Brookland Monroe St Farmers Market)
Please visit the eCYCLE DC website to check for any updates closer to the event date.
Ears and Eyes on the Environment: DOEE has launched a podcast! Tune in to the first episode to unpack DOEE’s mission and priorities.
Urban Heat Island Virtual Reality Experience: In this short video, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows how interactive maps could be used to teach about extreme heat in the District. |
