December 2024
Photo Credit: HillRag
With shorter days and a full slate of holidays coming up, it’s the time of year when many of us gather with friends and family at each other’s homes. That makes the winter a great time to think about how those homes impact our health. Construction materials, temperature and humidity control, how appliances are powered, drinking water infrastructure, and other aspects can all influence how healthy our homes are.
The District has several health-related programs for homeowners and renters alike to improve their living spaces and ensure they are protected from hazards such as lead and mold. Prefer to see and touch equipment before making improvements? Check out the second annual Healthy Homes Fair on March 29 to learn about reducing indoor pollution through electrification. Gatherings should be about making memories and celebrating traditions without having to worry about unhealthy indoor environments. Take advantage of programs, events, and resources like the Healthy Homes Digest to make your home the best place to be!
  Applications for District Sustainability Awards Now Open
The application period for the 2025 District Sustainability Awards is now open! 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. Applications must be submitted through one of the forms on https://doee.dc.gov/service/sustainabilityawards by January 24.
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 and is open to all District residents between the ages of 5-18.
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Reuse DC Holiday Guide Available
Ring in the holiday season this year with Reuse DC! The Reuse DC Holiday Guide encourages sustainable shopping and upcycled gift-giving to make your holiday season more memorable and less wasteful. Support District thrift stores and organizations that sell unique second-hand items like clothing, home décor, toys, and games, in addition to local flea markets where that rare gift might be waiting.
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Guest Column: Anna Heilferty – Sustainable DC Ambassador
Hello everyone! It’s Anna Heilferty, signing in one last time. I’m sad to share that December will mark my final month as a Sustainable DC Ambassador. Serving in this role has been an incredible honor and privilege. I’ve had the chance to be part of meaningful initiatives that I’m proud will continue beyond my time here:
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Washington Spirit’s Sustainability Game Day: In 2023, the Spirit hosted their first sustainability-themed game, which continued into the 2024 season and led to wider engagement from other DC sports teams.
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Adopting the Anacostia River: The Washington Coalition for Women’s Professional Sports formally pledged to care for a portion of the Anacostia River, contributing to its long-term health and well-being.
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Kingman Island Family Day: One of my favorite events, where I had the privilege of running a station connecting soccer with environmental literacy, alongside many other local organizations.
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Partnerships: Collaborating with organizations like Friends of Anacostia Park, whose community impact earned them a nomination for the National Women's Soccer League’s Lauren Holiday Impact Award.
When I joined the Washington Spirit as a rookie, I was focused on adjusting to professional play. But I also knew that, when the time was right, I wanted to contribute to an organization addressing broader issues like climate change, sustainable urban living, and community well-being. My journey with the Department of Energy and Environment has been exactly that! I have had a chance to work alongside people who care deeply about their mission and strive to make a tangible difference.
I’ve learned some key lessons that I hope we can all carry forward:
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Community is Everything: The success of any initiative depends on meaningful feedback, participation, and collaboration from the community. If the work doesn’t align with the community’s needs and aspirations, it rarely succeeds.
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The Power of the Collective: Tackling complex, intersectional issues requires collaboration. In DC, leveraging the city’s vast network of resources has been a cornerstone of environmental progress.
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Small Actions Create Ripples: Even small, individual actions matter. By holding ourselves accountable to the standards we wish to see on a larger scale, we create ripples of impact, often in ways we don’t immediately realize.
These lessons are just a few of the many takeaways I’ll carry with me. As we face critical challenges for our planet and communities, I hope we all continue to take steps (big and small) toward a brighter, more sustainable future. Thank you for the opportunity to serve in this role!
 GRANTS & FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program
Are you a food business in the District that processes, aggregates, or distributes food for people? If you need help with infrastructure projects or buying equipment, this is for you. The United States Department of Agriculture and Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development are working with Capital Impact Partners to launch the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program grants. This program will give out $1.4 million to support food businesses in the middle of the supply chain. Infrastructure grants will range from $100,000 to $250,000. Equipment-only grants will range from $10,000 to $100,000. For more information and to apply, please visit this website. The deadline for applications is January 12.
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ReFashion Pitch Competition
The Department of Small and Local Business Development Fiscal Year 2025 ReFashion Pitch Competition is an opportunity for businesses to pitch a problem or opportunity in the sustainable fashion market with a viable solution. Pitch awards will range between $2,500 to $6,000 per winner and will be held during National Small Business Week in May 2025. For more information and to apply, please visit this website. The deadline for applications is January 31.
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Community Stormwater Solutions Grants
The 2024-2025 Request for Applications for the Community Stormwater Solutions Grant Program is open now through March 13. This Department of Energy and Environment-funded program is administered through a partnership with the Chesapeake Bay Trust. The program provides funding for innovative and community-centered projects that increase knowledge and change behavior around watershed and stormwater-related issues in the District. The following entities located in the District are eligible to apply: nonprofits, small businesses, schools and universities, government agencies, and more. Applicants may request up to $35,000 in their proposals. The program has approximately $191,500 available in funding for this cycle. Check the grant webpage for updates.
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JOBS
City Blossoms – Community Green Spaces Coordinator
City Blossoms is a nonprofit that cultivates the well-being of our communities through creative programming in kid-driven gardens. The Community Green Spaces Coordinator in collaboration with the Community Green Spaces Manager, is responsible for program implementation based on guidance from the City Blossoms Strategic Plan, the Community Green Spaces Program Manager, and the Deputy Director. For more information and to apply, visit the job posting webpage. Applications are due January 5.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Calling for DC Sustainable Energy Utility Advisory Board Applicants
The DC Sustainable Energy Utility (DCSEU) Advisory Board is charged to provide advice, comments, and recommendations to the Department of Energy and Environment and Council regarding the procurement and administration of the DCSEU, advise on DCSEU performance, and monitor DCSEU under its contract. Right now, the Board has a vacant position for the environmental group representative. Check out the Board’s web page and send your resume to Jennifer Johnston at Jennifer.Johnston@dc.gov if interested.
PurpleAir Monitoring Project
The Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) seeks to increase its measurements of air pollution on a hyperlocal scale and is empowering residents from across the District to participate in the PurpleAir monitoring project. PurpleAir sensors track and collect localized air quality data, measuring particulate matter in the surrounding area. By providing residents with the opportunity to monitor air pollution in their neighborhood, DOEE seeks to improve the community’s understanding of air quality while also giving them a chance to contribute to environmental improvements. Residents can host the PurpleAir sensor at their home or their workplace at no cost. For more information, see the project website or contact Kane Samuel at kane.samuel@dc.gov.
EVENTS
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, January 15, 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.
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The District of Columbia Commission on Climate Change and Resiliency will host a public Knowledge Forum from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, January 25, at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library (901 G St. NW). This event seeks to take stock of existing knowledge related to climate change in the District of Columbia, strengthen community networks, and generate forward-looking ideas. The event is a research component for the Commission’s third legislatively mandated report to the Mayor and Council, scheduled to be released in October 2025. Visit https://climatecommission.dc.gov/page/knowledge-forum for more information.
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The Healthy Homes Fair is a free expo and interactive experience for homeowners, renters, home renovation professionals, and career seekers to learn about the technologies, products, services, and incentives available to improve our health, increase comfort, and reduce emissions from the homes of the DC region. Put on by the nonprofit Electrify DC, the 2025 fair will take place March 29 from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the DC Armory. Visit https://www.healthyhomesfair.org/ for more information.
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