February 2026
Image Credit: DC Sustainable Energy Utility
Was gaining a new skill or learning something new on your new year’s resolution list? The Train Green program from the DC Sustainable Energy Utility can make it happen! In a challenging job market, having recent training or a new certification can help you better showcase your knowledge and experience. That’s where Train Green comes in. This training, credentialing, and certification program is for District-Certified Business Enterprises (CBEs) and/or CBE-eligible firms, and their staff.
Through the program, District residents can acquire new or enhanced skills and knowledge related to energy efficiency and renewable energy design, construction, inspection, and maintenance. And the best part? It’s all at no cost! Courses cover topics like building energy basics, preparing homes for heat pump upgrades, and sustainability fundamentals. See what courses are available and sign up to be notified of new courses at https://www.dcseu.com/train-green. Happy learning!
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Applications Open for District E-Bike Incentive Program
The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) is back helping District residents power their ride with the District E-Bike Incentive Program! Through the program, Preferred Applicants* can receive up to $1,500 toward an e-bike to be redeemed at authorized bike retailers. The application window for this program is February 1-21. Voucher recipients will be chosen at random after the application window closes. Apply and learn more at ebikes.ddot.dc.gov.
*A Preferred Applicant is a District resident enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Medicaid, or the DC Healthcare Alliance.
Not everyone who applies for a voucher will receive one, as funding is very limited. DDOT uses a randomized selection lottery to select voucher recipients from the entire pool of applicants.
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2026 Fish Art Contest Closing Soon
The Fish Art Contest is an annual art and creative writing contest for students in grades K-12, hosted by the Department of Energy and Environment, in partnership with Wildlife Forever. The contest focuses on educating students about fish, aquatic habitats, and conservation through art and writing. Students research local fish species, create original artwork, and write about their findings. Visit this link to learn more about the contest and how to submit entries by the deadline of February 28.
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Online Urban Growing Courses
The DC Urban Gardener (DUG) Network is hosting four online courses throughout the 2026 growing season to teach community members everything needed to successfully grow food in the District. Courses, which are eight online classes long, will meet virtually on Tuesdays 6-8pm and include both online lectures and cooperative learning experiences. The first course of the year focuses on planning and building urban gardens. It began on February 3, but the recordings are available for purchase here through March 24. This segment costs $40; full courses cost $80. Keep an eye out for future courses at https://dcurbangardenernetwork.wordpress.com/.
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Efficient Affordable Resilient Neighborhoods Info Session
The Department of Energy and Environment plans to host an info session to discuss the Efficient Affordable Resilient Neighborhoods initiative. The initiative is focused on coordinating energy interventions at the neighborhood level to realize efficiency, resiliency, and affordability benefits. To learn more about the initiative and request the info session registration link when it's available, please reach out to Andrew at andrew.fang@dc.gov.
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Casey Trees – Conservation Manager
Casey Trees’ mission is to restore, enhance and protect the tree canopy of the nation’s capital. The Conservation Manager contributes to the strategic growth of Casey Trees Land Trust, overseeing a portfolio of urban conservation sites protecting green spaces for nature and people. The Conservation Manager works to strategically target, acquire, and steward new and existing conservation opportunities for ecological and community health. For more information and to apply, visit https://caseytrees.org/careers/. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
National Park Service Partners with Casey Trees to Plant Native and Historic Trees Across D.C. Parks for America’s 250th: Through the “250 Years of America, 250 Trees for its Capital” campaign, new trees will be planted and maintained within federal parkland starting in spring 2026.
Life in the extremes: How environmental inequity contributes to housing instability: This Street Sense article highlights how extreme cold and heat, in addition to other environmental factors, impact people experiencing homelessness or housing instability.
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, February 21 from 1:30-3:30 p.m. at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library (901 G St NW). Learn more and register at https://doee.dc.gov/service/fix-it.
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Healthy Homes Fair
Save the date for the next Healthy Homes Fair on Saturday, March 21 from 1:00-5:00 p.m. at The Catholic University of America. Explore products, services and programs to make your home healthier, more resilient, and affordable to power. The event will host 100 exhibitors with real solutions, electric vehicles and e-bikes for test rides, induction cooking demos, and expert electrification coaching, plus kids' activities, food trucks, giveaways, and fun for the whole family! Head to https://electrifydc.org/fair/ for more information and to register.
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Environmental Film Festival in the Nation’s Capital
Each March, museums, embassies, universities, and other cultural institutions across the District of Columbia serve as venues for the world’s largest green film festival. The theme for this year’s festival is “Against the Current.” The films will feature powerful stories of innovation, action, and hope. The festival will be held from March 19 to 28. Keep an eye out on https://dceff.org/festival/ for the program and any other updates.
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Sustainability Summit
Register now for Destination DC’s Sustainability Summit! On Wednesday, March 25 from 8:00-11:30 a.m. Explore how the tourism, meetings and events industry can shape places, strengthen communities and advance a more sustainable future for the District. Winners of the District Sustainability Awards will also be honored at the event. Head to https://web.cvent.com/event/66c47211-b207-414c-a26a-08897712e149/summary to register.
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DC Climate Week
DC Climate Week will be back for its second year in 2026, from April 20 to 26. DC Climate Week is a community-organized week of events, exhibitions, tours, screenings, and gatherings across DC to explore the challenges of the climate crisis and discover the solutions that give us hope. Sign up to get updates at https://www.dcclimateweek.com/.
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