|
Image Credit: Smithsonian Associates
March 2024
March 21 marked the International Day of Forests! First conceived by the United Nations in 2012, the International Day of Forests celebrates the beauty and importance of forest habitats around the world. From cleaning the air to providing shade in extreme heat, our forests play a vital role in safeguarding human health. Historically, the District has been known for its dense tree canopy cover, with Pierre L’Enfant prominently featuring them in the original plans for the city. But as time went on and cycles of development swept through the city, this magnificent canopy is now a shadow of its former self. Currently, the tree canopy amounts to 37% of the city’s land cover, with a goal to get it to 40% by 2032. This International Day of Forests and every day, we encourage you to get involved and do your part in restoring the tree canopy to its former glory. If you are interested in having free trees planted on your property, sign up for the RiverSmart Homes Program. To participate in tree plantings and other volunteer opportunities geared towards protecting our forests, check out Casey Trees.
Food Waste Prevention Week in the DC Area
Several organizations in the DC area, including Manna Food Center, DC Food Recovery Working Group, Food Rescue US-DC, and the Montgomery County Food Council have teamed up to bring you an exciting lineup of free events during the national Food Waste Prevention Week, a week-long online awareness campaign to inspire everyone to reduce food waste at home, work, and in our communities.
During the week of March 31- April 7, partners from across the DMV have organized a variety of events aimed at turning awareness into action. Come sample a beer infused with rescued pecan raisin bread and test your food waste knowledge during a trivia night, learn how to properly separate your food scraps for composting at a hands-on demo, take a tour of a kitchen using food waste reduction technology, taste upcycled sweets while learning how to use tea scraps in your garden, or join a webinar to learn how to lead a household food waste challenge or develop municipal policies that reduce food waste. All these events and more are free, and you can find details and registration links on the website, https://dmvfoodrecoveryweek.org/.
|
District Electric Bicycle (E-Bike) Incentive Program
This spring, the District Department of Transportation is helping DC residents power their ride with the District E-Bike Incentive Program! Through the program, Preferred Applicants* can receive up to $2,000 towards an e-bike, cargo e-bike, e-bike maintenance, or other qualified accessories to be redeemed at authorized bike retailers. Apply anytime between April 1-15. Voucher recipients will be chosen at random after the application window closes. Apply and learn more at https://ddot.dc.gov/ebikes.
*A Preferred Applicant is a District resident enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Medicaid, or the DC Healthcare Alliance.
|
|
 |
Anacostia Watershed Society's Saturday Environmental Academy
The Anacostia Watershed Society's Saturday Environmental Academy (SEA) is a free, weekend-based, out-of-school-time environmental education program for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students. The goal of the program is to stimulate interest in and provide a fundamental education about the environment, and specifically that of the Anacostia River Watershed.
This spring, the program will run every Saturday from April 6 - May 11, from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Applications for students from the Anacostia Watershed (DC Wards 5, 6, 7, and 8, and parts of Maryland) are highly encouraged. To apply, please fill out this application packet. If you have any additional questions, please contact Catherine Estes, SEA Program Director, at cestes@anacostiaws.org.
|
GRANTS & FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
Request for Applications - Community Stormwater Solutions Grant Program
The Chesapeake Bay Trust and the Department of Energy and Environment partnered on this program to provide up to $35,000 in funding to support community-oriented and inspired projects that are designed to increase knowledge and lead to behavior change as it relates to watershed and stormwater-related issues. This grant can fund activities such as educational events/workshops, installation and maintenance of runoff-reducing green infrastructure, art installations, restoration of habitat, litter or pollution reduction, or other project types that meet the goals of the grant program. For more information, please visit https://cbtrust.org/grants/district-of-columbia-community-stormwater-solutions/. Applications are due March 28.
|
|
 |
Request for Applications - DC Energy Storage Grant Program (Round 2)
The Department of Energy and Environment seeks eligible entities to apply for the Energy Storage Grant Program to maximize the benefits of renewable energy in the District by deploying and integrating battery energy storage systems in commercial buildings and multifamily residential buildings with five or more units. The amount available for the project is $3,560,494. For more information, please visit https://doee.dc.gov/node/1709011. Applications are due April 12..
|
|
 |
JOBS
Department of Energy and Environment – Compliance Support Specialist
This position is in the Lead-Safe and Healthy Housing Division of the Environmental Services Administration. The incumbent will serve as a Compliance Support Specialist to plan and carry out projects to improve the efficiency and productivity of the Lead-Safe and Healthy Housing Division’s Lead Compliance and Enforcement Branch. This position applies knowledge and principles to regulatory compliance; provides support to residents, staff, and the regulated community; and closely manage database activities under general supervision. For more information and to apply, visit careers.dc.gov and enter job ID 25557. Applications are due March 31.
Public Participation
Request for Feedback on Areas of Focus for Hyperlocal Mobile Air Pollution Monitoring Project
The Air Quality Division of the Department of Energy and Environment is requesting public feedback on areas for the Division’s upcoming hyperlocal mobile air pollution monitoring project to focus on within the neighborhoods already designated for the project. All comments must be received by April 19. See the notice of public comment for more information.
EVENTS
Zero Waste DC Community Fair
Celebrate the release of the District’s Zero Waste DC Plan on Saturday, March 30 from 10:00 a.m.– 1 p.m. at Eastern Market's North Hall (225 7th Street SE). The Community Fair will feature DC Government zero waste resources, sustainable businesses, and recycling and reuse opportunities such as a clothing swap, cooking scrappy demonstration, and bike repair instruction. Stay tuned for more details by following on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook or visiting zerowaste.dc.gov/zwdcplan!
|
|
 |
Healthy Homes Fair
The Department of Energy and Environment is honored to support the biggest home electrification event in the DMV, taking place on Saturday, April 6 from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the DC Armory.
The Healthy Homes Fair is a great opportunity to explore the products, services, and incentives available to use your home to combat climate change while increasing health and comfort. With over 50 exhibitors, an appliance “petting zoo,” an e-bike tasting party, a bouncy castle for the kids, food trucks, and much more, the Fair is bound to have something for everyone! Register here.
|
|
 |
eCYCLE Collection Events for Recycling Covered Electronics
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. See below for upcoming eCYCLE DC events around the District.
|
|
 |
-
Saturday April 6, 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. Collection vehicle on corner of Georgia Ave NW & Howard Pl NW (Ward 1, near Banneker Community Center)
-
Saturday April 13, 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. Collection vehicle on 23rd St NW between Bancroft Pl NW & S St NW (Ward 2, near Mitchell Park)
-
Sunday April 24, 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. Collection vehicle on corner of MacArthur Blv NW and 48th Pl NW (Ward 3, Palisades Farmers Market)
Please visit the eCYCLE DC website to check for any updates closer to the event date.
D.C.’s Kingman Island, once a ‘pile of dredge waste,’ is reborn: This Washington Post article highlights the ongoing efforts by the Department of Energy and Environment, Friends of Kingman and Heritage Islands, and other organizations to restore Kingman Island into a beautiful urban oasis.
Three Black Women Making History in Environmental Justice Across Industries: This Washington Informer article highlights the work of three local Black women making strides in the environmental sector.
Healthy Homes for D.C.: This overview from the Georgetown Environmental Law Review describes the context of the proposed Healthy Homes Act legislation, which would provide low- and middle-income District households the opportunity to switch from fossil fuels to clean and efficient electric heating and induction cooking with no out-of-pocket costs. |
