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Image Credit: Ward 8 Woods Conservancy
July 2024
The District is home to many interesting wildlife species both big and small. One that’s on the particularly small side is a rare species of amphipod, Stygobromus anacostensis. These crustaceans almost the size of a grain of rice are key indicators of water quality and environmental health, thriving in clean, oxygen-rich waters and surrounding areas. For some background, my name is Glenn Hall (that’s me in the photo above) and as the Sustainable DC Green Fellow and all-around nature enthusiast, I am always interested in learning more about wildlife that I might not have seen in person before. So I jumped on the opportunity to join Ward 8 Woods Conservancy on a hike with American University Professor Dr. David Culver and his students to hunt down these elusive critters. Dr. Culver has spent his career studying amphipods and other subterranean animals. On our expedition just off Alabama Avenue SE, we were looking for seeps, which are places where water oozes slowly out of the ground. Toward the end, I was lucky enough to be the first person to find an amphipod from a sample of leaf litter, but unfortunately, it fell out of my hand before I could get a picture of it. As the saying goes: “Pics or it didn’t happen.” The amphipod's presence in these habitats helps signify a healthy environment, while their decline signals deteriorating conditions, as they are extremely sensitive to environmental factors such as pollutants, changes in pH, and oxygen levels.
Protecting these creatures requires a commitment to preserving natural habitats throughout the District through efforts such as reducing pollution, managing stormwater runoff, and restoring natural waterways. The District is making progress on these efforts, as documented in Sustainable DC Progress Reports. Prioritizing parts of the District that tend to bear the brunt of pollution, habitat loss, and neglect, such as in Southeast, will bring the greatest benefit. Community-driven initiatives also play a vital role in conservation efforts. By participating in local clean-up events and supporting environmental conservation as a whole, we can ensure that species like the amphipod continue to thrive, safeguarding the natural treasures of Southeast DC for future generations.
The Department of Energy and Environment Receives Funding for Affordable Housing Greening Efforts
The Department of Energy and Environment was awarded $4.6 million by the U.S. Department of Energy to establish an innovative loan fund led by the DC Green Bank to boost energy efficiency improvements in affordable housing. The loan fund will help make affordable housing greener and help the District achieve its ambitious sustainability and equity goals by providing lower-cost capital for energy-efficiency upgrades. For more information and to read the press release, please visit this website.
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GRANTS & FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
Chesapeake Gateways Grants
The National Park Service is pleased to announce that the grant application cycle for the third round of Chesapeake Gateways and Watertrails Network grants opened on July 29. This grant offers funding for projects within the Chesapeake Bay region under the categories of 1) Linking Tourism and Economic Development Grants and 2) Event Support Grants. Projects should have a strong connection to the Chesapeake Bay region. For more information and to apply visit
https://www.nps.gov/locations/chesapeakebaywatershed/grants.htm. Applications are due on October 21 at 11:59 p.m.
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Request for Partners - U.S. Department of Agriculture Composting and Food Waste Reduction Pilot Program - Commercial Food Donation Technical Assistance
The Department of Energy and Environment is currently seeking an eligible partner for its application to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Composting and Food Waste Reduction’s Notice of Funding. The partner will assist with providing technical assistance to commercial food entities to increase the number of entities participating in food donation and to increase the amount of food recovered for human consumption. Applications are due August 15 by 11:59 p.m.
For more information and to apply, visit https://doee.dc.gov/release/request-partners-usda-composting-and-food-waste-reduction-pilot-program-commercial-food.
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JOBS
Department of Energy and Environment – Program Analyst
This position is located in the Department of Energy and Environment’s Urban Sustainability Administration, Sustainability and Equity Branch. The incumbent will lead the buildout and governmentwide expansion of the District’s certification program to ensure all District Government contracts over $100,000 are abiding by the city’s Environmentally Preferable Products and Services requirements. In supporting the District’s sustainable procurement commitments, this individual will lead a small team that works closely with the Office of Contracting and Procurement and a diverse set of agency partners and external stakeholders. For more information and to apply, visit careers.dc.gov and enter job ID 26826. Applications are due August 2.
Department of Energy and Environment – Deputy Director
This position is located in the Department of Energy and Environment’s Natural Resources Administration. The incumbent will serve as the Deputy Director for the Natural Resources Administration. The core functions of the Natural Resources Administration are to uphold the integrity of the District of Columbia's soil, water, and living resources while safeguarding its aquatic ecosystems from pollution and degradation. The incumbent will serve as a key member of the Agency Director’s executive management and advisory staff, participate in recommending and formulating policies and strategies with responsibility for the day-to-day operation of the Administration, and provide a high level of technical assistance and direction to managers, senior level environmental protection specialists, etc. For more information and to apply, visit careers.dc.gov and enter job ID 26917. Applications are due August 5.
Public Participation
Department of Public Works Seeks Suggestions for Smart Food Waste Bin Locations
The Department of Public Works aims to install smart food waste bins to allow District residents to drop off food scraps in lockable bins 24/7, creating greater access to food waste diversion opportunities. Want to help determine where smart food waste bins could go? Visit tinyurl.com/smartbin2024 to register for the virtual community meetings throughout August.
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Take the Climate Ready DC 2.0 Survey today!
The Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) and the Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency (HSEMA) are revising Climate Ready DC and the Climate Action chapter of Resilient DC. When completed, these updated documents will create a roadmap for how the District government can best ensure that District residents, businesses, infrastructure, and the environment can thrive in the face of climate change.
We need to hear from you to make sure the new strategies to be included in Climate Ready DC 2.0 are right. DOEE and HSEMA invite you to share your stories and thoughts by taking the survey, finding the team at upcoming events, or signing up for email updates on the project website.
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Notice of Public Comment Period - Draft Fiscal Year 2025 Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program State Plan
The Department of Energy and Environment invites the public to present its comments in writing or at a virtual public hearing on the FY25 Draft State Plan for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) on Tuesday August 20 at 11 a.m. The deadline for submitting comments is at the conclusion of the public hearing. Participants in the virtual public hearing may speak for up to five minutes. Presenters are encouraged to submit written copies of their statements. Persons may also submit written testimony by email to LIHEAP.StatePlan@dc.gov with the subject “FY25 Draft LIHEAP State Plan.” For more information, check out this website.
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The Department of Energy and Environment Wants Your Help Finding Locations for Electric Vehicle Chargers!
The Department of Energy and Environment constantly seeks to expand electric vehicle charging infrastructure in the District and wants your help. Your input will be used to compile a database of potential electric vehicle charger site locations and match up potential site hosts with funding. Fill out this questionnaire to propose sites for electric vehicle chargers where they are needed most.
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The Department of Energy and Environment’s Racial Equity Action Plan Open for Public Comment
The Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) is currently seeking public feedback on its Racial Equity Action Plan. This plan provides a roadmap on how to intentionally integrate equity across the Agency and its different programs so that previously marginalized District residents can benefit from DOEE’s work as much as anyone else. To submit your comments, please use the Konveio platform to comment directly on the document here. The window for comments will close on September 30 at 11:59 p.m.
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EVENTS
Did You Know That Ward 7 has 563 residential buildings 100 & 500-year floodplain?
Nature Forward in partnership with, Ward 7 Resilience Hub Community Coalition (RHCC), The Green Scheme, Washington Interfaith Network, and the Department of Energy and Environment invites you to join their Rise Above: Building Flood Wise Communities Flood Insurance Workshop Series on Tuesday, August 20 about flood resilience. Learn where and how flooding affects your community, how to understand your flood risk through Federal Emergency Management Agency Flood Maps and hear from experts on the importance of flood insurance and what coverage you need in your home. For more information and to register, contact info@w7rhcc.org or Jamoni Overby (jamoni.overby@natureforward.org).
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Friends Of Anacostia Park’s August Late Skate
Come get your skate on! Join Friends of Anacostia Park, the National Park Service, environmental organizations, and community partners on August 31 at the Anacostia Skating Park Pavillion (1500 Anacostia Drive SE) from noon to 10 p.m. for a day of music, recreation, and kinship in DC's most storied skating venue. For more information please visit Friends Of Anacostia Park’s website.
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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 August 10, 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. Collection vehicle on Columbia Rd NW between Champlain St NW and Ontario Rd NW (Ward 1, near Unity Park)
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Saturday August 24, 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. Collection vehicle on Brooks St NE & Sycamore Rd NE (Ward 7, south of Kelly Miller Recreation Center)
Please visit the eCYCLE DC website to check for any updates closer to the event date.
GW Partners with D.C.’s Department of Public Works to Collect Organic Waste: This article from GW Today highlights George Washington University’s new partnership with D.C.'s Department of Public Works. The partnership introduces a new 24/7 smart composting bin on campus, aimed at enhancing food waste collection and reducing carbon footprints through a user-friendly, app-based system that prevents contamination and promotes sustainability.
D.C. nonprofit teaches residents how to garden using native plants: This article highlights the work of DC Natives, a nonprofit organization in the District that installs pollinator gardens for residents free of charge. They also help educate the public on the many environmental benefits these gardens can provide.
Should this salamander be the District’s official amphibian?: This article from WTOP News highlights a recent push from the DC Council to designate the Red-Backed Salamander, one of the most common amphibian species in the area, as our state amphibian. This symbolic designation would bring more awareness to the continued protection not only of this species but other amphibians like it across the District. |
