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Image Credit: Washington Area Bicyclist Association
June 2024
As the weather begins heating up in the District, everyone is sure to be looking for an excuse to get out of the house. DC boasts an extensive network of more than 176 miles of bike lanes and trails, offering residents an invigorating way to both stay active and explore the city. From Rock Creek Park to the National Mall, biking provides a unique perspective that cars and public transport simply can't match. Whether you're a seasoned cyclist or a casual rider, the District’s bike-friendly infrastructure, including dedicated lanes and bike-share programs like Capital Bikeshare, makes it easy to get around.
Biking is also an eco-friendly alternative that reduces traffic congestion and pollution. Instead of being stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic, you can whiz by on your bike! Take advantage of the city's bike trails not only for commuting but also for leisure and fitness. Here’s a suggestion: The next time you have a free day, try packing a healthy lunch, plenty of water, sunscreen, etc., and go on a bike ride along the Anacostia River Trail starting in Anacostia Park and up to Bladensburg. If you are looking for even more places to explore after this adventure, please check out this helpful DC Bike Map from the District Department of Transportation. Above all else, please be sure to WEAR A HELMET. By embracing cycling, residents and visitors alike can enjoy the beauty of the nation’s capital while contributing to a greener, more connected community. So, dust off your bike (or rent a Capital Bikeshare bike), grab your helmet, and start discovering all that the District has to offer from the comfort of two wheels.
Reuse DC 2023 Annual Report Now Available
The Department of Energy and Environment is pleased to announce that the Reuse DC 2023 Annual Report is now available. This report highlights the progress and accomplishments made by the Reuse DC team. Reuse DC is the District of Columbia Government’s Donation and Reuse program and aims to increase waste diversion from landfills and incineration by advancing donation and reuse infrastructure, services, public awareness, and programs. For more information and to access the report, please visit here.
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District's First MetroSTOR Food Waste Collection Bin Launched
On June 25, the George Washington University Office of Sustainability and the Department of Public Works launched the first MetroSTOR food waste collection bin in the District. The bin is available to the public to drop off their food waste to be turned into compost. Users unlock the bin using an app and Bluetooth technology in order to minimize contamination. The bin is located at Kogan Plaza (2121 H Street NW) on the George Washington University main campus.
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 GRANTS & FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
Request for Applications – DC Green Cleaning Program
The Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) is pleased to announce the availability of a grant for the development and implementation of the District’s Green Cleaning Program (GCP). This initiative aims to support Cleaning Service Providers (CSPs) in disadvantaged communities, specifically in Wards 5, 7, and 8 of Washington DC, in transitioning to safer and more sustainable cleaning products.
Funded by the US Environmental Protection Agency’s Fiscal Year 2023 Pollution Prevention Grant: Environmental Justice through Safer and More Sustainable Products, the GCP Request For Application (RFA) has $284,000 allocated for the project over 24 months.
Key components of the RFA include:
- Identification of CSPs in disadvantaged communities
- Implementation of an outreach strategy
- Development of capacity-building activities
- Financial assistance for CSPs transitioning to sustainable products
- Assessment, monitoring, and reporting on best practices and lessons learned
The full text of the RFA is available on the DOEE website. To obtain a copy of the RFA, you can download it from the following link: https://doee.dc.gov/node/1722256. The deadline for application submissions is July 1 (recently extended).
JOBS
Supervisor Environmental Protection Specialist
This position is located in the Department of Energy and Environment, Environmental Services Administration, Lead-Safe and Healthy Housing Division (LSHHD). The incumbent of this position serves as an Associate Director for LSHHD within the Environmental Services Administration and is responsible for the leadership, guidance, and the day-to-day administration of the Division. They are also responsible for implementing and enforcing District of Columbia laws and regulations about lead-based paint abatement, child lead blood levels, healthy homes, and radon and mold program operations in the District of Columbia. For more information and to apply, visit careers.dc.gov and enter job ID 26650. Applications are due July 11.
Public Participation
Anacostia River Corridor Restoration Plan Open for Public Comment
The Department of Energy and Environment is very excited to share that after more than two years of meaningful engagement with community members and close coordination with local stakeholders, the Anacostia River Corridor Restoration Plan (ARCRP) is now open for public comment. The ARCRP is a two-year restoration planning project for the Anacostia River corridor within the District of Columbia. The plan identifies and prioritizes specific strategies for restoring fish and wildlife habitat, improving water quality, adapting to climate change, and increasing equitable public access to the river corridor. To submit your comments, please use the Konveio platform to comment directly on the document here. The window for comments will close July 31 at 11:59 p.m.
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Help Power a Brighter Future: Take a 5-Minute Solar Survey!
Electrify DC, on behalf of the Department of Energy and Environment, is proud to launch a hosting capacity survey to learn about DC residents' experiences, awareness, and needs regarding solar installation and home electrification. Help plan the technical and social infrastructure needed for an electrified future! ! Complete the quick survey, and share through as many local channels as possible. Deadline to provide input is July 22
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EVENTS
Anacostia Riverkeeper to Host First-Ever Splash Event
On Saturday, June 29 the Anacostia Riverkeeper is making a splash toward a swimmable Anacostia! The first annual Anacostia River Splash event will provide a rare chance for residents to swim in and reconnect with the river. Contingent on water quality results, participants will swim briefly in the river off the Kingman Island Dock next to the Benning Road Bridge during a designated time slot. While the slots have filled up and there is a waitlist available, check out the event page to learn more and you can stop by to see the action.
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Building Flood Wise Communities Virtual Workshop Series
Did you know that in Ward 7, there are 563 residential buildings within the 100 & 500 year floodplain? The Ward 7 Resilience Hub Community Coalition (RHCC) in partnership with Nature Forward, The Green Scheme, Washington Interfaith Network, and the Department of Energy and Environment invites you to join them for their Rise Above: Building Flood Wise Communities Workshop Series being held virtually on July 11 at 6:30 p.m. Come learn the basics of flooding, including the types of flooding and what a floodplain is, where and how flooding affects your community, how to understand your flood risk through Federal Emergency Management Agency Flood Maps, and more! July’s session will cover flood insurance. For more information, contact info@w7rhcc.org or Jamoni Overby (jamoni.overby@natureforward.org) and register here!
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2024 Lotus and Water Lily Festival
Please join the Friends of Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens and National Park Service for the 2024 Lotus and Water Lily Festival being held July 19-July 21! Lotuses and lilies have been celebrated in art for centuries around the world. The Lotus and Water Lily Festival is held every year during peak season for the lotus blooms. This year's festival celebrates the art of these beautiful flowers with dances, exhibits, art classes, an artist's market, and more! Please visit this link for more information and to check out the event schedule.
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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.
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Saturday July 13, 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. Collection vehicle on the corner of 34th St NW & Volta Pl NW (Ward 2 near Volta Park Recreation Center)
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Friday July 19, 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. Collection vehicle on Connecticut Ave NW between Northampton St NW & McKinley St NW (Ward 3, near Chevy Chase Community Center)
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Saturday July 27, 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. Collection vehicle at 1333 Emerson Street NE (Ward 5, front of North Michigan Park Recreation Center)
Please visit the eCYCLE DC website to check for any updates closer to the event date.
Oxon Run Day 2024
Friends of Oxon Run, in partnership with the Department of Energy and Environment, is proud to announce this year’s Oxon Run Day and Resource Fair, being held in the heart of Oxon Run Park on August 24 from 12-4 p.m.! Their goal this year is to be the largest sustainability and environmental-focused event in the DMV, and with your help, they can make that possible. For more information and updates, please follow @oxonrunday on Instagram and stay tuned for registration information and other updates as they become available.
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Higher Education Climate Leadership Summit 2025
Registration for the 2025 Higher Education Climate Leadership Summit held in Washington DC from February 2-4 is now live! Hosted by Second Nature, the Higher Education Climate Leadership Summit is the premier annual gathering of higher education leaders committed to addressing inequity and the climate crisis. At the Summit, attendees will connect with 400+ colleagues, including Presidents and Trustees; Sustainability Directors and other sustainability office staff; senior campus administrators; equity, and inclusion and community engagement office staff; and climate solution providers. For more information and to register, please visit the event page here.
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The Power of Parks to Strengthen Community: This report from the Trust for Public Land highlights the critical roles parks and green spaces play in fostering social connection and building community. Through research, the Trust for Public Land found that people in cities with top-ranking parks systems are more likely to be socially connected and engaged with their community.
DC Launches First Ward 8 Air Quality Monitor in Bellevue: This article from the Washington Informer celebrates the launch of the air quality monitoring system that was unveiled last month at the Bald Eagle Recreation Center. The addition of this new monitor represents an increased commitment from the District to ensuring residents in historically neglected communities such as Ward 8 are empowered with information about air quality.
Edible Activist Podcast: Advocating for DC’s Food and Health Future: This episode of the Edible Activist Podcast from local food justice activist Melissa L. Jones features LaMonika Jones of DC Hunger Solutions. Within this episode, they explore the different challenges facing the DC food system and provide listeners with practical steps for residents and advocates to effect change. |
