July 2025
Photo Credit: Mark Wilson/Getty Images
As temperatures rise in the District, it’s critical to protect against the risks associated with extreme heat. Health risks from extreme heat include dehydration, heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and even death. The Department of Energy and Environment works to help Washingtonians understand and mitigate the effects of extreme heat, particularly through the Keep Cool DC extreme heat adaption strategy.
Urban areas like DC experience what’s known as the urban heat island effect, a phenomenon where city temperatures are significantly higher than surrounding rural areas. Paved surfaces like roads, sidewalks, and buildings absorb and retain heat, while the lack of vegetation reduces natural cooling.
Combating extreme heat is a shared responsibility that overlaps with public health, climate resilience, and environmental justice. The District is investing in solutions that cool our city and protect our communities by increasing green space, piloting “cool pavement” that absorbs less heat, providing more shade, and connecting residents most vulnerable to heat with support and resources, ultimately reducing the impacts of the urban heat island effect. Together, we can turn down the heat and build a cooler, more resilient future for all Washingtonians.
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2025 District Sustainability Award Winners Spotlight
The District Sustainability Awards highlight businesses, individuals, and organizations that are working toward a more sustainable DC. This year, six winners were announced at Destination DC’s Sustainability Summit. We will highlight one every month in the newsletter. This month we are featuring Electrify DC:
Electrify DC is a nonprofit organization dedicated to making it easier, faster, and more affordable to decarbonize all homes. As a sustainable energy business in the District, their focus is to promote building electrification, increase renewable energy adoption, and educate the public on ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
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New Electric Bike Food Delivery Pilot Supports Cleaner and Safer Food Delivery
The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) announced a new pilot project to support the use of electric bicycles (e-bikes) for app-based food delivery in the District. The year-long pilot will test the feasibility of using e-bikes for app-based food delivery and to see how DDOT can support this shift long term. The pilot is funded by the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator through their City Climate Innovation Challenge Program, which aims to support a group of cities in transitioning to zero-emission delivery. To read more about this pilot please visit this link.
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Extended Summer Hours at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
Friends of Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens (FoKAG) Presents: Come Alive After 5! Due to a grant from the National Park Foundation, FoKAG is able to offer the following extended hours to the public from June 4 to September 7:
- Monday and Tuesday: 8:00 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Wednesday through Sunday: 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Discover the magic of summer evenings at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, where nature blooms, and the community gathers. Enjoy longer days surrounded by stunning lotus blossoms, water lilies, and serene wetland trails. Bring your family, your friends, or just yourself—and unwind in the peaceful beauty of this one-of-a-kind national park in the heart of Washington, DC. Learn more at https://kenaqgardens.org/explore/.
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Volunteers Needed for Heat Mapping Campaign
The Department of Energy and Environment and CAPA Strategies are seeking volunteers to help collect environmental data about the hottest and coolest places in our region during the summer heat on Tuesday, August 5. Data collected by volunteers (drivers and navigators) during the joint one-day heat mapping campaign will be used to update the Heat Sensitivity-Exposure Index for Washington, DC and help address heat-related vulnerabilities across the region. If you would like to participate, please respond to the volunteer interest form by July 11.
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Request for Applications - Reducing Housing-Related Disparities in Childhood Lead Exposure
The Department of Energy and Environment seeks eligible entities to increase outreach and education activities about lead exposures and increase capacity and availability for routine blood lead level testing and lead exposure prevention activities in the District. The deadline for application submissions is July 25. Visit this link to learn more and apply.
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Have You Heard About Going Electric? Fill Out This Survey!
The Department of Energy and the Environment is trying to understand how residents feel about switching their gas appliances to electric and wants to hear from you! Please take 5 minutes to fill out this survey to share your experiences, thoughts, and concerns about electrification. What you say will help DC tailor its programs and resources to better support residents who want to transition their homes to electric. The survey closes July 27.
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Request for Applications - Mobile Food Vendor Electrification Pilot Program
The Department of Energy and Environment seeks eligible entities to support the electrification of two or more food trucks, food carts, farmers market stands, or other mobile food vendors. A single grantee will assist two or more mobile food vendors with the purchase and installation of battery generators at low-to-no initial cost to power their operations in lieu of gas, diesel, or propane engines. The objective is to shift from fossil fuel generators to battery generators. The amount available for the project is $60,000. The deadline for application submissions is August 4. Visit this link to learn more and apply.
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Request for Applications - Private Fleet Diesel Electrification and Low-NOx
The Department of Energy and Environment seeks eligible entities to select and replace class 4+ medium- or heavy-duty diesel-powered vehicles with zero-emission vehicle equivalents when these replacements will have a significant community benefit. Vehicles must be registered in the District to be eligible for replacement. The deadline for applications is August 30. Visit this link to learn more and apply.
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Volunteer to Help a Neighbor and Become a DC Heat Ambassador
As temperatures rise throughout the summer and extreme weather brings power outages that impact the safety of vulnerable populations, Serve DC and the Department of Energy and Environment have partnered with We The People Community Health Worker Corps & Coalition to recruit, train, and support residents serving as volunteer Heat Ambassadors. Volunteers will receive community emergency response team training, be matched with community members to contact during a heat emergency or weather event, and use a mobile device to report contact notes to Heat Ambassador DC. Learn more and sign up at http://heatambassadordc.org/.
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Earth Conservation Corps – Environmental Educator
Earth Conservation Corps is a nonprofit youth development and environmental service organization that provides hands-on environmental education, job training, and community service programs. The Earth Conservation Corps is seeking a highly motivated environmental educator to lead the dynamic, hands-on Anacostia Explorers Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience and to assist in leading environmental education science programs this summer. For more information and to apply, visit the position listing page. Applications are due July 18.
New data tool reveals access to built environment features across DC neighborhoods: The new tool uses 41 data points, pulled mostly from OpenData DC, and is based on the concept of the “15-minute city,” emphasizing that all residents should have access to most daily amenities within just a short walking distance.
DC leaders announce plan to increase waterfront access in Georgetown: Georgetown will donate a parcel of land on the Potomac River to the National Park Service to allow for a continuous path from the Capital Crescent Trail to the Georgetown Waterfront Park.
Saturday Health & Wellness at Anacostia Park
Join the 11th Street Bridge Park team at Anacostia Park for a summer workout series! Every Saturday from July 12 to August 30, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., spend time in nature engaging in full-body wellness experiences, open to all ages and abilities. Each Saturday includes rotating sessions focused on fitness, mindfulness, and community care. Reserve your spot here.
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Divided DC: Heat Islands in Ward 7
Join Hola Cultura and the Pulitzer Center at the Riverside Center on July 16 to discuss how environmental hazards in Washington, D.C. disproportionately afflict low-income neighborhoods. Together, the group will learn strategies to protect mental and physical health and outline the infrastructural steps necessary to build a climate-resilient city. To register, please visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/divided-dc-heat-islands-in-ward-7-tickets-1450282486959?aff=oddtdtcreator.
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Hands-On Composting Certificate Course
Learn how to turn scraps into soil! Join the University of the District of Columbia’s College of Agriculture, Urban Sustainability, and Environmental Sciences for a two week-long (July 17 through July 26) hybrid certificate course that will provide both theory and hands-on experience in composting. The cost of the course is $150 and tickets are available at this link.
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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 Saturday, July 19, 1:30-3:30 p.m. at the Southwest Library (900 Wesley Pl SW). Visit https://doee.dc.gov/service/fix-it for more information and to register.
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Greenovation 2.0
Certified Business Enterprises are encouraged to join the DC Sustainable Energy Utility, Department of Energy and Environment, and Department of Small and Local Business Development for Greenovation 2.0 on July 24. It’s an opportunity to connect with industry leaders in the green and sustainability sectors and explore new avenues for growth. Due to limited space, please contact business.opportunities@dc.gov for more information about the event.
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Weekly Veggie Giveaways at Three Local Farms
The Department of Parks and Recreation began its weekly veggie giveaways from its three communal farms earlier this spring and will continue them through November 26, weather permitting. See details on locations and timing and register to attend here.
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Outdoor Wellness Series at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
Friends of Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens is offering its neighbors and the community at large the experience of outdoor wellness at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, with a series of activities this summer and into the fall. From forest bathing to canoe tours, click here to learn more and register for individual events.
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Anacostia River Discovery Series Boat Tours
Join the Anacostia Watershed Society boat tours as part of the 2025 Anacostia River Discovery Series. Explore the ecological and historical changes that have occurred in the river and in the communities around the river. Participants will have the opportunity to witness some of the restoration of river habitats and how it has caused the rebound of wildlife in the Anacostia River. You don’t want to miss this summer series and seats are filling up fast! To learn more visit this link.
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