June 2026
Image Credit: Rex Block
Summer is here and so is the heat! DC is experiencing warmer, more humid, and longer summers. To stay safe during periods of extreme heat, the District provides comprehensive resources on how to prepare for extreme heat including how to stay informed, understand heat alerts, create an emergency plan, and prepare your home at ready.dc.gov. The website also provides resources on what to know when you’re dangerously hot and steps you can take to stay safe during a heat wave.
The District government is also taking longterm action to reduce heat risks by expanding the tree canopy, encouraging innovative building design, and increasing public awareness about heat safety. You can learn more about the city’s heat adaptation strategy in Keep Cool DC, the District’s heat plan.
Washington, DC Wins Best Park System in the Nation for the Sixth Consecutive Year
“Six years at the top isn’t an accident — it’s the result of deliberate, sustained investment in the parks, playgrounds, and recreation centers that make DC the best city in the world,” said Mayor Muriel Bowser. The District has the highest percent of land reserved for parks in the US, more than 21%, and scored well on all park scoring factors: access, equity, acreage, investment, and amenities. Read more about the award here.
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2026 District Sustainability Award Winners Spotlight
The District Sustainability Awards highlight businesses, individuals, and organizations that are working toward a more sustainable DC. This year, seven winners were announced at Destination DC’s Sustainability Summit. We will highlight one every month in the newsletter. This month we are featuring DC Greens.
DC Greens is a District-based nonprofit with a mission to advance health equity by building a just and resilient food system in Washington, DC. Its flagship site, The Well at Oxon Run in Ward 8, is a community farm and wellness space that brings residents together through urban farming, fresh food distribution, and hands-on education to promote sustainability and community health.
Check out the award winner case studies to learn more!
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Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Climate and Energy Leadership Awards Nominations Now Open
The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments’ Climate and Energy Leadership Awards recognize organizations that develop climate stewardship projects and programs that engage and serve the region’s underserved communities. The awards program highlights a broad range of climate solutions for their unique engagement practices as well as their results, creativity, and replicability. The 2026 Climate and Energy Leadership Awards Program application submission process is now open for applications from April 22 to June 30. To learn more and submit a nomination, see https://www.mwcog.org/environment/planning-areas/climate-and-energy/climate-awards/.
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Natural Capital Short Documentary Released on YouTube
In April, the documentary short film, Natural Capital, premiered at the Gaithersburg Film Festival and is now available on YouTube here. "Natural Capital examines the local, unglamorous efforts to restore, beautify, and represent the natural environment of the nation's capital. It also attempts to motivate a greater climate consciousness in the viewer not through science fictional renderings of devastation or setting apocalyptic stakes, but by endearing and charming the viewer to the people cleaning up our messes.” The film was developed for a Master’s Thesis at the University of Maryland and features interviews with four Department of Energy and Environment staff members from the Natural Resources Administration!
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Department of Energy and Environment Installs Air Quality Monitor Benches
The Department of Energy and Environment installed four air quality park benches in Wards 4,5,7, and 8 based on recommendations from community members and air quality experts. The benches are equipped with real-time air monitoring technology, providing valuable environmental data to help residents better understand the air they breathe. Community members can see data from these sensors and videos of residents’ experiences with air quality at https://dcbenches.air-resource.net/.
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Green Pathways Website Receives New Update
Green Pathways, the Department of Energy and Environment’s (DOEE) green jobs, workforce training, and fellowship pathway program, has an updated webpage highlighting the different programs DOEE offers. View the page here.
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May Collection Events Gathered Over 1,000 lbs. of Batteries
Last month, the Department of Energy and Environment’s Product Stewardship Program partnered with The Battery Network and the National Waste & Recycling Foundation to host a series of battery outreach events. These events were part of the “Skip The Bin, Turn Your Batteries In” nationwide public awareness campaign promoting safe battery disposal. Outreach events were held at three different sites, Catholic University, L’Enfant Plaza Metro Station, and REI in NoMa. Over 1,000 lbs. of batteries were collected between all 3 events. To learn more about the campaign, go to www.batterysafetynow.org
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Wetlands in the District Photo Contest
The Department of Energy and Environment is accepting submissions to its Wetlands Photo Contest. Submission categories include landscapes, birds, and recreation and stewardship. Winning photos will be featured in Department of Energy and Environment outreach with photographer credit! For more information and how to apply by July 31 visit the website here.
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Comprehensive Plan for Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail
Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail’s Comprehensive Plan is open for public comments through June 29. The Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail is a congressionally designated network of trails across the Potomac River watershed. The plan will guide how the National Park Service and partners connect trail sections, protect natural and cultural resources, strengthen relationships with communities, and support long-term partnerships across Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania. To learn more about the plan and add comments visit the National Park Service’s website here.
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Mayor’s Office of Racial Equity – Deputy Director
The Mayor's Office of Racial Equity within the Office of the City Administrator is hiring a Deputy Director. The role provides senior level management, implementation support, and oversight of staff activities associated with these functions to help the office meet organizational goals and objectives. For more information and to apply, visit careers.dc.gov and enter job ID 32607. Applications are due June 18.
District Department of Transportation - Transportation Specialist (Traffic Operations)
As a key member of the Traffic Signals & Engineering Division team, the Transportation Specialist will contribute to advancing bus priority initiatives, developing protected bicycle facilities, implementing Vision Zero safety enhancements, and managing complex multimodal traffic signal operations. The position requires strong analytical skills, sound engineering judgment, and the ability to collaborate effectively with internal and external partners. For more information and to apply, visit careers.dc.gov and enter job ID 32559. Applications are due June 23.
D.C.’s Urban Farms Offer Natural Defense Against Air Pollution: This Washington Informer article covers how urban agriculture in the District addresses multiple challenges, from food insecurity to environmental degradation.
Trail Rangers bike the extra mile to tend to D.C.'s trail system: The 51st shines a spotlight on the team that takes care of the local network of paved trails, including removing litter and managing invasive plants.
Free Electronics Recycling & Take It Apart Day
Because Science in Adams Morgan is hosting a free recycling day on Wednesday, June 17 from 12:00 to 6:00 p.m.! Bring in your old electronics and give them a new life or take them apart and see what’s inside. For more information, check out the Eventbrite here.
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ReThread DC Mending Workshop
ReThread DC, the District’s textile reuse and recovery initiative, is hosting several workshops with the Southwest Neighborhood Library, located at 900 Wesley Place SW. This month, ReThread DC is hosting a Mending Workshop on Sunday, June 28 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Attendees will learn new skills to breathe new life into tired items from their closets. Registration is available here.
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Nature Forward Flood Education Workshops
Join Nature Forward and their partners for their flood education workshops in Wards 5, 6, and virtually this summer. These three-part workshops will be tailored to each ward focused on Flooding 101, Preparedness for Every Emergency, and Community Resilience in Practice. All District residents who attend receive a stipend for food, childcare, and/or other needs while learning about flooding, emergency preparedness, and community resilience.
- Ward 5 register here.
- Ward 6 register here.
- For virtual sessions register here.
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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 Wednesday, July 15 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at West End Library (2301 L St. NW). The registration link and more information will be available at https://doee.dc.gov/service/fix-it.
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