October 2026
Image Credit: Jeff Miller, from Rock Creek Cemetery Walking Tour
While there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors year-round in the District, October may just take the prize for best month to take a long walk given the cooler temperatures and the changing leaves. This month, District employees and their family members are taking part in Walktober, a walking challenge focused on forming healthy habits. But you don’t have to be part of a competition to get the benefits of staying active. Whether walking or rolling, you can increase mental and physical wellbeing with a tour around your nearest green space.
Looking to explore beyond your usual stomping grounds? Take advantage of living in the city with the #1 parks system in the country by heading to a new-to-you park, including newly established ones like Skyland Town Center Community Park or Cobb Park. Take yourself on a sustainability-themed walk in Congress Heights or Southwest. And while you’re out and about, take advantage of newly built sidewalks or make a request for any needed sidewalk repairs. Happy walking!
Check out the award winner case studies and video introductions to learn more!
 |
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 one of the organization category winners, the Washington Area Community Investment Fund (WACIF).
WACIF expands economic opportunity in the DC region by investing financial, social, and knowledge capital in low- and moderate-income entrepreneurs. Through lending, technical assistance, and community-centered economic development, WACIF helps underinvested small businesses build stability, wealth, and long-term resilience. Their Sustainable DC Project helps local entrepreneurs adopt greener practices and participate in the region’s growing green economy, including through the Green Growth Fund, a flexible loan product with a 15% grant component that supports energy efficiency upgrades, waste reduction strategies, and the launch or expansion of green sector businesses.
Check out the award winner case studies and video introductions to learn more!
|
Video of Southwest Sustainability Walking Tour Available
This spring as a part of DC Climate Week, Department of Energy and Environment staff led a walking tour of Southwest, highlighting sustainability points of interest along the way. Everyone can now experience the tour virtually at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JG4rQ4t1K8o. Learn about the District’s efforts to reduce food from our waste stream, address flooding, reduce emissions and pollution from food deliveries, and more.
|
|
 |
DC Once Again Makes Top Five in North America in Global Destination Sustainability-Index
The 2026 Global Destination Sustainability-Index (GDS-I) results are now out! The District improved its overall score compared to last year and remained in the top five ranking cities in North America. 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 with support from District Government agencies. The index includes questions ranging from availability of bike lanes to hotels and other venues that have third-party sustainability certifications. Check out a snapshot of DC’s results and dive deeper into the overall rankings.
|
|
 |
DC Urban Gardener Network Course
The DC Urban Gardener (DUG) Network is hosting four online courses throughout the 2026 growing season to teach everything needed to successfully grow food in DC. Each course is eight online classes long, meets virtually on Tuesdays 6-8 p.m., and will include online lectures and discussions.
The fourth course, “Growing Food Justice and Food Sovereignty,” is open for registration. It includes classes on seed saving, building local food sovereignty, and more. Registration is available for a fee at https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/dugnetwork/dug-urban-growing-course-4-food-justice.
|
|
 |
DC Partners Host Inaugural Sustainable Vendor Connection Day
In April, Georgetown's Office of Sustainability partnered with The Coalition and the Washington Area Community Investment Fund to host the first Sustainable Small Business Vendor Connection Day. 11 participating community anchor partners met with local small business owners to discuss tens of millions of dollars in estimated procurement opportunities for these small businesses. Multiple local vendors, city partners, and DC universities came together for intentional networking, demonstrating how mission-aligned small-business vendors can provide sustainable services in DC. Instilling Georgetown University's Jesuit value of Care for Our Common Home, the success of this event demonstrates real economic impact for DC businesses and community members. Georgetown was recently recognized for its ongoing commitment to the DC Anchor Partnership program for creating opportunities for local businesses. Georgetown is excited to open its doors again for the Sustainable Vendor Connection Day in 2027.
|
|
 |
 |
Multifamily Electric Vehicle Charging Assistance Program Launched
The Department of Energy and Environment and Catalyst Mobility are now accepting applications for the Multifamily Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Assistance Program. This program offers free technical assistance and rebates covering up to 80% of project costs, including planning, equipment, installation, and maintenance for Level 1 and Level 2 EV charging located at or within a short walk of multifamily properties. Applications are now open, with project selection expected in December 2026.
To learn more and apply, visit the project website: https://doee.dc.gov/service/multifamily-ev-charging.
|
|
 |
DC Greens – Finance Manager
DC Greens is a nonprofit organization that advances health equity by building a just and resilient food system. DC Greens seeks a Finance Manager to lead and complete the organization’s core financial responsibilities while supporting participatory financial accountability. This role is responsible for completing bookkeeping, accounting, payroll, budgeting, reporting, audit coordination, compliance, and financial planning tasks. For more information and to apply, visit https://dcgreens.org/careers/. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, with priority given to applicants who apply by October 23.
Georgetown University – Zero Waste and Special Projects Coordinator
Georgetown University comprises two unique campuses in the nation’s capital: the Hilltop Campus located in the heart of the historic Georgetown neighborhood, and the Capitol Campus, just minutes from the U.S. Capitol and U.S. Supreme Court. The Coordinator, Zero Waste and Special Projects will contribute to the ongoing optimization of Georgetown University’s Zero Waste initiatives at the Hilltop and Capitol Campuses. They will support initiatives and projects that drive progress towards the university’s zero waste performance targets and the university’s overall sustainability goals. For more information and to apply by November 25, visit the position page.
Oxon Run Park is a leafy refuge. Locals are working to make it inviting for everyone.: Local resident and former Department of Energy and Environment Green Fellow Glenn Hall provides an overview of Oxon Run Park and how a local nonprofit is bringing the community together to enjoy the park.
Get in the garden: What to plant in D.C. this fall: This 51st article provides advice on how to get started with autumn plantings.
An empty lot in Ward 7 was due to get a grocery store decades ago. What’s happening now?: Alex Koma of the 51st describes the history of the Capitol Gateway site in Ward 7 and how plans to host a grocery store have evolved.
Seed to Steward Gardening Program
Join the DC Public Library for their Seed to Steward Program, a hands-on initiative designed to connect teens and families to gardening, sustainability, and community care. Together attendees will learn how to sustain environmental stewardship, grow and learn how to care for plants, as well as harvest fresh herbs and vegetables. This series will take place on Wednesdays from now until November 4 at 3:00 p.m. at the Anacostia Library. For more information, visit the library’s website here.
|
|
 |
DC Climate Ride 2026
Join the Washington Area Bicyclist Association for a DC climate ride on Saturday, October 17 at 10:00 a.m., co-sponsored by the Sierra Club DC. Ride to visit key wetland, park, development, and community garden sites over the course of about a nine-mile journey. Reserve a spot here.
|
|
 |
Kingman Island Friends & Family Day
Join the Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) and partners on Saturday, October 17, from 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. for a free celebration of nature, art, and community on the Islands! Sustainable DC will lead a collage activity at the event, so come by to see us!
|
|
 |
Other activities include:
- Clothing Swap and DIY Upcycled Kingman Merch with DOEE
- Anacostia River Boat Tours with Anacostia Watershed Society and Anacostia Riverkeeper
- Green Boats with Living Classrooms
- Guided Nature Walks and Scavenger Hunts with DC Bird Alliance, District Department of Transportation’s Urban Forestry Division, the Kingman Rangers, and Friends of Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
- Library on the Go-Go and Nature Storytime with DC Public Library
- Shape the Future of the Islands with DOEE and our Design Project Team
- Wildlife Demonstrations with Earth Conservation Corps, Anacostia Watershed Society, and DOEE
- Arts and Crafts with Urban Adventure Squad, Casey Trees, and DOEE
- ...and more!
Check out the website to learn more about the activities, read the frequently asked questions, and plan ahead.
Dreaming Out Loud Annual Fall Festival
Dreaming Out Loud invites residents from across the DMV to join them at their Annual Fall Fest on Saturday, October 31 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at The Farm at Kelly Miller! The free, family-friendly event serves as Dreaming Out Loud's signature end of season celebration, bringing together neighbors, farmers, partners and families to honor another successful growing season and celebrate the power of community-led food systems. Reserve your spot here.
|
|
 |
Fix-It DC
Details about the next event 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. Details about the next event will be posted here.
|
|
 |
|
