November 2024
Image Credit: District Department of Transportation
But charging infrastructure is not the only place where there’s been improvement. The District is also upgrading its vehicles. District Fire and Emergency Medical Services will electrify a firetruck with recent funding from the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act. For Capital Bikeshare electric bikes, which are already powered by electricity, there are several stations that now have solar panels on-site to recharge the bikes. So you can (quite literally) ride on sunshine! There is even more in the works from Metro, universities that operate shuttles, and other vehicle fleets. By shifting to transportation options without any tailpipe emissions, we not only get closer to our climate goals, but we can also breathe easier with improved air quality from less pollution.
DC Ranks in Top Ten North American Cities Participating in the Global Destination Sustainability Index
For the past several years, the District has participated in the Global Destination Sustainability Index (GDS-I), a program that measures, benchmarks, and enhances the sustainability strategies, action plans, and initiatives of more than 100 destination management organizations, municipal authorities, and their tourism supply chains. Destination DC, the official destination marketing organization for the District, completes the GDS-I, which includes questions ranging from availability of bike lanes to hotels and other venues that have third-party sustainability certifications. For the fourth consecutive year, the District ranks first in the U.S. and among the top 10 in North America in the 2024 GDS-I! Check out a summary of DC’s results.
|
|
 |
DC Racial Equity Dashboard Now Live
The Mayor's Office of Racial Equity and the Office of the Chief Technology Officer recently developed the District’s first Racial Equity Dashboard. The dashboard includes data on 43 racial equity indicators across seven dimensions of life in the District. It will allow the public and District government staff to learn more about racial equity in the District and track our progress towards eliminating racial and ethnic equity gaps and improving outcomes for all District residents. The dashboard will be kept up to date as new data is available and will eventually include stories to capture first-hand accounts of resident experiences with racial equity.
|
|
 |
Applications for District Sustainability Awards Opening Soon
The application period for 2025 District Sustainability Awards will open on December 1. The District Sustainability Awards highlight businesses, individuals, and organizations that are working towards a more sustainable DC. Awardees’ projects and programs support the Mayor’s Sustainable DC 2.0 Plan, which aims to make the District the nation’s greenest, healthiest, most sustainable city. Learn more about the awards and read case studies of past winners at https://doee.dc.gov/service/sustainabilityawards.
|
|
 |
Submissions Accepted for 2024-25 Art of Conservation Fish Art Contest
The Department of Energy and Environment is collaborating with Wildlife Forever for the 2024-25 Art of Conservation® Fish Art Contest. The annual program invites K-12 youth from around the world to connect with nature and learn about fish and aquatic habitats while exploring creative art and writing.
The 2024-25 contest is open for submissions until February 28, 2025, and is open to all District residents between the ages of 5-18.
District of Columbia residents must submit their artwork online—mail-in entries are not accepted. For more information, go to https://doee.dc.gov/service/fish-art-contest. For questions, contact doee.arec@dc.gov.
|
|
 |
Request for Applications - RiverSmart Communities
The Department of Energy and Environment seeks eligible entities to lessen the impact of stormwater runoff on the District of Columbia’s waterways by controlling, preventing, and remediating nonpoint sources of polluted runoff. The amount available for the project is $600,000. For more information and to apply, please visit this website. The deadline for applications is November 12.
|
|
 |
Request for Applications - Whole Child and Educator Wellness Grant
The Office of the State Superintendent of Education is soliciting grant proposals from community-based organizations that have experience working with early childhood education facilities as well as public and charter schools to deliver capacity building services to facilities and schools using a technical assistance model focused on one of three priority areas. One of the priority areas is “environmental education, garden-based education, and farm to early childhood education or school programs.” For more information and to apply, please visit this website. The deadline for applications is December 18.
|
|
 |
Department of Energy and Environment – Green Fellows
Applications are now being accepted for the Fiscal Year 2025 Green Fellows Leadership and Development Program. The Fellowship is a competitive paid opportunity designed for graduate-level students who are currently enrolled in a Master's degree study program. It is both a career exploration and a pipeline program for students interested in job placement at the Department of Energy and Environment; however, placement opportunities are not guaranteed. Fellowship positions are open in the following areas:
- Urban Sustainability
- Strategic Planning & Policy
- Policy and Compliance
- Building Performance and Enforcement Branch
- Policy and Planning
- Air Quality Division
For additional information and to apply, please visit the Green Fellows Leadership and Development Program web page. Applications close November 10.
Casey Trees – Communications & Marketing Manager
Casey Trees’ mission is to restore, enhance and protect the tree canopy of the nation’s capital. Casey Trees is seeking a Communications & Marketing Manager to fulfill all aspects of the organization’s unified communications and marketing related to its various programs and the priorities of the organization. This role is responsible for managing all communications and marketing efforts related to Casey Trees tree planting, volunteer, event, advocacy, donor, and partnership programing. See the job posting page for more information and to apply. Applications are being accepted on a rolling basis.
Dreaming Out Loud – Director of Operations
Dreaming Out Loud is a mission-driven organization dedicated to promoting urban agriculture and ensuring equal access to healthy, fresh food for all local communities in Washington, DC. The Director of Operations will play a critical role in overseeing the daily operations of Dreaming Out Loud and ensuring its mission to improve food security and equitable access to healthy food is effectively implemented. Reporting directly to the Executive Director, the Director of Operations will be responsible for managing organizational resources, streamlining processes, and driving operational excellence to support our community-driven programs. See the job posting page for more information and to apply. Applications are being accepted on a rolling basis.
Washington Area Bicyclist Association – Education Coordinator
The Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) empowers people to ride bikes, build connections, and transform places. WABA is hiring for an Education Coordinator with experience in physical education, program management, or outdoor recreation education to coordinate its adult, youth, and family class programs. See the job posting page for more information and to apply. Applications are being accepted on a rolling basis.
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.
|
|
 |
Fix It DC
Fix-It DC events are community repair events dedicated to changing the “throw-it-away” mentality. Visitors bring their broken items to the Fix-It DC event where volunteer Fix-It coaches provide guidance in troubleshooting how to repair each item. The next event is Wednesday, November 13, 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library (901 G St NW). Visit https://doee.dc.gov/service/fix-it for more information and to register.
|
|
 |
Climate Ready DC 2.0 Open Houses
Are you prepared for the next major storm, heat wave, or flood? Is the District of Columbia prepared for more frequent and intense extreme weather events as our climate changes?
Come learn more about how your local climate is changing and what District government is doing to protect residents from catastrophes like extreme heat and flooding. Share your vision for how DC can become “Climate Ready,” and help the Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency and the Department of Energy and Environment update the District’s climate preparedness plans, Climate Ready DC and Resilient DC. Drop in at any time, no reservations required, to any of these open house events throughout the District.
|
|
 |
-
Wed. 11/13, 6:30–8:30 p.m. at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library (901 G St NW)
-
Mon. 11/18, 7:00–9:00 p.m. at the Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater (1101 Sixth Street SW); hosted in partnership with the Southwest Neighborhood Assembly
-
Tues. 11/19, 6:00–7:30 p.m. at the Marshall Heights Community Development Organization (3939 Bening Rd NE); hosted in partnership with the Ward 7 Resilience Hub Community Coalition
-
Thur. 11/21, 6:00–7:30 p.m. at the Anacostia Community Museum (1901 Fort Pl SE); hosted in partnership with the Anacostia Park and Community Collaborative
-
Sat. 12/14, 12:00 – 2:00 p.m. at Trinity Baptist Church (1814 Central Pl NE); hosted in partnership with Empower DC
RSVP here and take the Climate Ready DC survey here. We hope you’ll join us! Please contact Erin Garnaas-Holmes, erin.garnaas-holmes@dc.gov, with any questions!
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 November 16, 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. Collection vehicle on corner of D St SE & 3rd St SE (Ward 6, southeast of Folger Park)
-
Saturday November 23, 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. Collection vehicle on Erie St SE, between 17th Pl SE and 18th Pl SE (Ward 8, near Fort Stanton Recreation Center)
Please visit the eCYCLE DC website to check for any updates closer to the event date.
Sustainable Housing Project Comes to Ward 8, Aims to Empower Community: Ayesha Hudson of A-Peace LLC, a native Washingtonian, worked with partners to establish an all-electric housing property with solar panels, intended for college students and graduates interested in real estate and community development.
University of the District of Columbia Celebrates New Hydroponic Greenhouse at Anacostia High School: The University of the District of Columbia and Anacostia High School celebrated the opening of a new greenhouse that will serve as a living classroom for high school students to learn about sustainable food production. |
