October 2025
Photo Credit: DC Sustainable Energy Utility
October is National Energy Awareness Month and it kicked off with Energy Efficiency Day on October 1. With heating bills around the corner and changes to energy policies and programs, it’s a great time to take a closer look at energy use in your home. Start with the DC Sustainable Energy Utility (DCSEU), a nonprofit that offers a suite of energy efficiency resources, and even has a short quiz to guide you toward their most relevant programs.
You may be surprised at the types of rebates available to help you switch from energy hog appliances to new options that cost less to power and maintain. Check out stories from neighbors in the District about how DCSEU’s rebates helped them. With an extra focus on energy efficiency in your home this month, you can enjoy the fruits of your labor all year round!
 |
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 Rodrick West:
Rodrick’s transformation of his own property into a natural urban oasis has inspired neighbors and led him to be an unofficial garden consultant. Through his collaborations with the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, The University of the District of Columbia’s Master Gardener Program, the Anacostia Watershed Society, and several others, Mr. West fosters community connections while protecting the environment. As a RiverSmart Homes ambassador for residents of Ward 7 and 8, he encourages neighbors to beautify their spaces while reducing stormwater runoff.
To learn more about Rodrick and the other District Sustainability Award winners this year, read the case studies here.
|
|
 |
Sustainable DC Dashboard Published
The Sustainable DC team published a collection of data points related to the 13 topic areas in the Sustainable DC 2.0 Plan. The data points are compiled into one document with relevant notes to provide context, references to related targets in District plans and laws, and links to sources, where publicly available. Explore the data at https://sustainable.dc.gov/progress.
|
|
 |
Sustainability Points of Interest Map Published
Put on your walking shoes and explore the sustainability features in your neighborhood! With the Sustainability Points of Interest in the District of Columbia map, you can view where large solar arrays, urban farms, food waste drop-offs, and many other features are located. The map is linked to at the bottom of the Sustainable DC website homepage.
|
|
 |
District Shows Improvement in Global Destination Sustainability-Index Results
The 2025 Global Destination Sustainability-Index (GDS-I) results are live, and the District has once again taken the top spot among participating U.S. destinations! The GDS-I is 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.
DC’s overall score was up six points over 2024, DC rose four spots to rank 5th among participating North American destinations, and DC’s social score was the 3rd most improved among all participating destinations. Check out a snapshot of DC’s results and dive deeper into the overall rankings
|
|
 |
Sustainable DC Participates in Kingman Island Friends and Family Day
Hundreds of community members converged on Kingman and Heritage Islands on Saturday, September 27 for Kingman Island Friends and Family Day. There were dozens of environmental education activities for the whole family to enjoy, from boat tours, to tree walks, to animal track identification. Sustainable DC hosted an activity to get youth thinking about how they can make an impact on DC’s sustainability goals, and what they’d like to see more of from adults. Even if you missed out on the event, you can visit and enjoy activities on the islands all year round.
|
|
 |
 |
Strategic Bikeways Plan Input
The District Department of Transportation’s Strategic Bikeways Plan will establish the District's priorities for the future development of bikeways, including bike lanes and trails. The plan will inform an update to the moveDC bicycle priority network based on projects completed since 2021, best practices, and community input. To get engaged in plan development, including by completing a survey, visit the Strategic Bikeways Plan webpage.
|
|
 |
2025 Nourish DC Grants
Nourish DC provides flexible loans, technical assistance, and grants to emerging and existing food businesses in the District of Columbia, $450,000 in grants are now available from Nourish DC, with a preference for businesses that are locally owned, increase access to healthy food, create quality jobs, and that are located in neighborhoods lacking access to grocery stores. To learn more about this opportunity, visit the Nourish DC webpage. Applications are due November 2.
|
|
 |
Request for Applications - Restoring the District's Natural Areas
The Department of Energy and Environment seeks one or more eligible entities to restore historically-underserved, publicly-owned parks and natural green spaces in the District by removing trash and invasive species and maintaining green infrastructure and trash traps in the immediate vicinity. To learn more about this opportunity, visit the grant webpage. Applications are due November 3.
|
|
 |
Request for Applications - RiverSmart Schools
The RiverSmart Schools program provides funding and training to DC Public and Charter Schools interested in transforming bland outdoor spaces into vibrant, green spaces to teach, learn, play, and manage stormwater runoff. To learn more about this opportunity, visit the RiverSmart Schools webpage. Applications are due November 7.
|
|
 |
Request for Applications - Sustainability Subgrants
The Center for Nonprofit Advancement and the Department of Energy and Environment have partnered to launch the Small & Accessible Sustainability Subgrants program. This innovative initiative is designed to advance the District’s sustainability, zero waste, donation and reuse, and urban agriculture goals while directly supporting small, new, and historically-excluded organizations. To learn more about this opportunity, visit the subgrant webpage. Applications are due November 15.
|
|
 |
Potomac Conservancy – Senior Director of Development
Potomac Conservancy is the region’s leading clean water advocate, dedicated to ensuring the Potomac River is healthy, protected, and thriving for the communities and wildlife that depend on it. The Senior Director of Development plays a critical leadership role in driving Potomac Conservancy’s revenue growth and ensuring the organization’s long-term sustainability. For more information and to apply, view the job posting on Idealist. The position will remain open until filled. Applications submitted before October 15 will be given first consideration.
As invasive vines threaten to strangle our trees, volunteers are fighting them back: This article from The 51st highlights invasive plant removal efforts at Woodlawn Cemetery and makes the connection with overall climate adaptation in the District.
Metro wins Transit Agency of the Year award from the American Public Transportation Association: This press release from Metro celebrates their first ever win of the Outstanding Public Transit Agency of the Year award.
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, October 18, 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. at Lederer Gardens (4801 Nannie Helen Burroughs Ave NE). Visit the Eventbrite page for more information and to register.
|
|
 |
School Garden Week
The Office of the State Superintendent of Education is hosting School Garden Week Monday, October 20 through Sunday, October 26. The dedicated week highlights the more than 100 school gardens in the District that facilitate garden-based teaching and learning. DC School Garden Week will include recognition through the Gilda Allen Best School Garden Award and a van tour of school gardens. Learn more here.
|
|
 |
Costume Swap & Upcycling Workshop
Afraid of not having the perfect costume? Join ReThread DC at the Southwest Library on Sunday, October 26, 1:00-4:00 p.m. for a combined costume swap and upcycling workshop. Please bring any new or gently used costumes, Halloween attire, or themed clothing. Donated costumes will be provided by Lumikha Cosplay Resale. While you swap, engage in one of our upcycling crafts to design a unique costume out of reused materials, led by our seasoned sewists. All ages are welcome. Learn more about this and other ReThread DC events here.
|
|
 |
River Monsters
Join the Aquatic Resources Education Center in Anacostia Park on Wednesday, October 29 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. for River Monsters 2025! The event will feature a boat ride with pirates; an invasive species themed, haunted aquarium; and other spooky activities for kids. Costumes encouraged! Register to attend on Eventbrite.
|
|
 |
|
