Making Sustainability Meaningful

District of Columbia sent this bulletin at 09/25/2024 11:06 AM EDT

Illustration by Glenn Hall

September 2024

Sustainability is the key to ensuring a healthy environment and society not only for today but for generations to come. However, there can be so much information to consider when trying to implement sustainability into our daily lives that it can quickly become overwhelming. District Government has a role to play in demystifying sustainability, by making it as accessible to residents as possible. Historically, the field of sustainability has been dominated by those with access to resources or the time on their hands to learn more. Meanwhile, historically marginalized communities such as communities of color can lack access to information that would keep them knowledgeable about sustainability.

These and countless other factors make it difficult to establish a truly Sustainable DC, especially if everyone cannot benefit equitably. That’s why the District Government is committed to “meeting residents where they are.” Government staff is first looking at the entire picture of the communities they serve, listening to their needs, and considering other challenges they deal with daily that might reduce how they prioritize sustainability. Sustainable DC 2.0 includes an action about meaningful community engagement in its Equity section and the Sustainable DC team worked to put this into practice through its community engagement approach to develop the Sustainable DC 3.0 Plan. By bringing this human-centric approach to tackling sustainability we not only make sustainability more accessible but can break down long-standing distrust of government officials that might be present in these communities. Success in this endeavor cannot happen overnight or alone. We invite you to join us in building a sustainable future that uplifts communities and holistically encompasses our varied wants and needs!

Registration is Now Live for U.S. Department of Energy’s Justice Week 2024

The U.S. Department of Energy invites you to Justice Week 2024: Equity in Action from Tuesday, October 22 to Thursday, October 24. Be a part of discussions about how specific and intentional actions can – and do – drive significant change toward a more equitable, clean, and just energy transition. For more information and to register, visit the event website or text “Events” to 1 (888) 664-3167 to get updates.

Application for the 2025 Higher Education Climate Leadership Summit Equity Scholarship Now Open

Second Nature is excited to announce that applications are now open for the Equity Scholarship for their 2025 Higher Education Climate Leadership Summit, which will be held February 2-4, in Washington, D.C. Second Nature is committed to supporting the participation of diverse voices in the sustainability space. They’re offering financial assistance to help make that possible. For more information and to apply, please visit this website. Applications are due November 1.

Request for Proposals: American Forests Catalyst Fund

American Forests is supporting tree equity leaders on the ground through their Catalyst Fund for the Fall 2024 cycle. This opportunity is open to faith-based and frontline environmental justice organizations. Over $12 million is available for projects in equitable urban forestry planning, planting and care, coalition building, workforce development, tree nursery development, and more. The application closes on October 25. For more information and to apply, please visit https://www.americanforests.org/catalyst-fund/.

Request for Applications - DC Climate Commitment Grant

The Department of Energy and Environment seeks eligible entities to develop a roadmap of policy and program recommendations for how net-zero emissions can be achieved by 2040 in accordance with D.C. Law 24-176, the Climate Commitment Amendment Act of 2022, and how implementation of that roadmap can be a tool to advance equity for District residents, especially communities disproportionately affected by climate change. For more information and to apply, please visit this website. The deadline for applications is October 30.

Department of Energy and Environment – Supervisory Program Analyst

This position is a critical management role required to fulfill the administrative and programmatic functions of the Urban Sustainability Administration. The person in this role will manage the following program areas: Sustainable DC, Sustainable Businesses, DC Green Cleaning Program, Donation & Reuse, Environmentally Preferable Products and Services, and Product Stewardship (currently paint, batteries, and electronics). They will supervise 10 staff, including providing guidance and support, encouraging and approving professional development and collaboration, and completing performance evaluations. They will also manage budget formulation and management for the Sustainability and Equity Branch. For more information and to apply, visit careers.dc.gov and enter job ID 27436. Applications are due September 26.

Department of Energy and Environment – Environmental Protection Specialist

This position is in the Natural Resources Administration, Water Quality Division, Monitoring and Assessment Branch. The incumbent serves as an Environmental Protection Specialist and is a member of an interdisciplinary and interagency scientific team providing technical expertise for surface water quality control in the District of Columbia. The incumbent collects and performs chemical analyses on river water, wastewater, river sediment, and biological samples and identifies species of phytoplankton, invertebrates, crustaceans, shellfish, waterfowl, and other organisms in the field and in the laboratory. Quality assurance procedures will be part of all monitoring and analytical-related activities. For more information and to apply, visit careers.dc.gov and enter job ID 27517. Applications are due October 2.

Apply Today to Join the District Waterways Advisory Commission

Are you passionate about the future of the District’s waterways? The Department of Energy and Environment is thrilled to announce that its new Office of District Waterways Management (ODWM) is seeking visionary leaders to join the District Waterways Advisory Commission. This pivotal commission will spearhead the development of a strategic vision for the District’s waterways and surrounding lands. With a diverse team of 14 voting members—7 appointed by the Mayor and 7 by the D.C. Council—the Commission aims to encompass a wide range of professional and personal perspectives. Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to shape the future of our waterways. Apply today or share this opportunity with someone who you believe would make a great addition to the Commission! Applications are due by September 30. Learn more about the ODWM and this opportunity, including the application links, at https://doee.dc.gov/service/odwm.

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.

Notice of Request for Information - District of Columbia Electric Vehicle Charging Challenges

The Department of Energy and Environment is seeking responses to this Request for Information to further inform future plans for electrifying the entire District Government fleet. The Department of Energy and Environment understands that there are significant barriers to expanding fleet electrification without first addressing issues like electricity demand constraints, charging costs, and ensuring a resilient grid in the face of climate change. Potential respondents to the Request for Information may include but are not limited to: electric vehicle supply equipment manufacturers, installers, and maintenance providers; fleet software management developers; property owners; electric vehicle manufacturers; nonprofit organizations; and any other private entities.

For more information, please visit this website or send any questions to this email. The period for responses is open-ended.

RiverSmart Program Garden Party

Join the Department of Energy and Environment and the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay on September 28 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for a free, community event focused on how you can both manage stormwater and beautify your property with help from the RiverSmart Program. The first 25 attendees will receive a free native plant! To RSVP, please fill out this form.

Kingman Island Friends and Family Day

Join the Department of Energy and Environment and Living Classrooms for the 2024 Kingman Island Friends and Family Day on October 19 from noon to 4 p.m. Come out for an opportunity to explore Kingman and Heritage Islands and enjoy free activities such as paddling, nature walks, fishing, scavenger hunts, and so much more! To learn more and to register please visit https://www.kingmanisland.com/friends-family-day.

Sustainability & Environment Masters Fair

Georgetown University will be hosting the Sustainability & Environment Masters Fair on November 13 from 5:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. at 125 E Street NW. The fair will showcase master programs that are sustainability/environment-focused in the DC, Maryland, and Virginia area at universities including:

American University
Georgetown University
George Washington University
Johns Hopkins University
University of Maryland, Baltimore County
University of Maryland
University of the District of Columbia
University of Virginia
Virginia Tech

Admission is free but please register at the this website. For more information, please feel free to reach out to Lindsey Jamieson at lindsey.jamieson@georgetown.edu.

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 October 5, 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. Collection vehicle on the corner of Georgia Ave NW & Howard Pl NW (Ward 1, near Banneker Community Center)
Saturday October 12, 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. Collection vehicle on Pennsylvania Ave NW between 19th & 20th St NW (Ward 2, east of James Monroe Park)
Saturday October 19, 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. Collection vehicle adjacent to Kenilworth Rec Center Farmer’s Market on Ord St NE (Ward 7)
Saturday October 26, 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. Collection vehicle on Calvert St NW between 40th Pl NW & 39th Pl NW (Ward 3, south of Stoddert Recreation Center)

Please visit the eCYCLE DC website to check for any updates closer to the event date.

Photographer’s Notebook: Paddling for Trash in the Anacostia River: This article from WAMU 88.5 highlights how a local couple’s pandemic pastime of regularly going out in their kayaks to do trash removals (“trashyaking”) turned into an impactful way to tackle pollution in the Anacostia River.

Solar for All Helps Reduce Electricity Costs: This video from DW News shines a spotlight on the DC Sustainable Energy Utility and the work they are doing in partnership with the Department of Energy and Environment through Solar for All to make transitioning to clean energy accessible to all District residents.

Why a Georgetown Bike Shop Will Let You Borrow a Bike for Free: This article from WTOP highlights how Brompton Junction in Georgetown promotes cycling by allowing visitors to borrow a bike for a day, free of charge!