Every Wednesday at Central Library (1015 N. Quincy St.) 7 PM. Upcoming topics include Fall vegetables, wild edibles, Preserving your harvest, and cover crops.
Share Your Thoughts on Use Permits for Public Space Design Process
The County seeks your feedbackon the option to issue use permits for structures in parks and public spaces. An updated process could provide opportunities for more flexibility that would allow the County Board to consider adjustments to zoning standards on a case-by-case basis. Flexibility through an updated use permit process could focus on:
Maximum height requirements of buildings
Maximum height requirements of lighting for existing athletic fields
Minimum setback requirements for buildings
Current allowances of lighting above 15 feet within setbacks for athletic fields and courts
Minimum setback requirements for fencing which exceeds maximum height of 8 feet
Minimum parking requirements
Requirements for signs
Click here to share your feedback now through Sunday, October 8.
RSVP here to join us for a virtual lunch Q&A session on October 3.
October 7 and October 14 (additional dates available). Join the Four Mile Run Conservatory Foundation on the water to collect litter along the streambank of Four Mile Run
Sign-ups will be opened two to four weeks prior to each date.
Location: the kayak barn at Four Mile Run Park, on the bike trail near the north end of Commonwealth Avenue. Parking/event details will be provided to those who RSVP.
We provide: kayaks, paddles, life vests, snacks, gloves, trash grabbers and bags
Bring your own: face mask, reusable water bottle, sunscreen, bug spray, hand sanitizer, and water shoes
You may bring your own kayak, paddle, and/or life-vest, if you prefer
4MR Paddle Power/Clean Stream Extreme events are made possible by grant support from Patagonia, and the Spring Creek Environmental and Preservation Fund of the Greater Washington Community Foundation.
Stormwater Utility Information Session
October 10, 2023, 6:30 PM-7:30 PM. Lubber Run Community Center. The County is changing how we fund the Stormwater Management Program. Since 2008, most property owners have paid a sanitary district tax (part of their real estate tax) for stormwater management.
Beginning in 2024, the County will replace the sanitary district tax with a Stormwater Utility fee based on the amount of impervious area on a property (hard surfaces like roofs and driveways that don’t let rain runoff soak into the ground, as shown in yellow in the image at right). Customers will receive the first real estate bill with the Stormwater Utility fee in May 2024.
Credit actions taken in 2023 can count towards your 2024 bill. You can apply for credit starting on November 1, 2023 - January 15, 2024. Learn more about the Credit Program.
Want to get a better idea of your future stormwater utility fee? An online tool is available to help you estimate the number of stormwater utility billing units on a property.
Note: Arlington’s stormwater utility is still in development and the information reflected in the tool is not final and is for informational purposes only.
Soil Building for Happier, Healthier Gardens
Friday, October 13, 2023, 10:00 - 11:30 a.m., ONLINE. Soil building is the #1 way to help you have the garden of your dreams. Protecting and nurturing soil health should be an annual priority of all gardeners. No matter if you want to grow blue-ribbon vegetables or prize-winning perennials, finding ways to add organic matter to your soil and understanding how to respond to soil test results will pay dividends in healthier, more pest- and disease-resistant landscapes. Kirsten Conrad, Extension Agent for Arlington and the City of Alexandria will provide you with tips and tricks for improving existing garden beds and building new ones. Free. RSVP at http://mgnv.org/rsvp-for-public-education-classes/ to receive a link to participate.
Batty About Bats Campfire
Next date: Friday, October 13, 2023 | 06:00 PM to 07:00 PM
Families. The whole family is invited to join us at the Gulf Branch fire ring for lots of old-fashioned fun. This engaging program will be filled with entertaining activities that may include stories, special animal guests, games, songs and of course, S’mores! (We will provide the marshmallows, chocolate & graham crackers).
Next date: Saturday, October 14, 2023 | 01:00 PM to 05:00 PM
Families. Each fall we usually gather around the Walker Log House, but this year we are mustering at Fort C.F. Smith Park! Join us for a family-friendly day of fun. Step back into history and try your hand at some old-time games and crafts, make a corn husk doll, churn butter, dip candles and work the cider press! Bring your old pants and shirt to make a scarecrow - child sizes work best! All family members who attend must register.
Think Big! Electric Vehicle Road Trip Virtual Series Launces in October
Join Arlington County Initiative to Rethink Energy (AIRE) and a group of electric vehicle (EV) experts as they explain how to install home chargers, discuss commercial charging infrastructure, project the future of EVs and more!
Kicking off during National Energy Awareness Month in October, the Think BIG! Electric Vehicle Road Trip virtual series will provide resources and education on EV ownership, the installation of Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE), emerging EV technologies and more.
This 3-part video series will take place throughout October and November. The live webinars will focus on three specific topic areas, including:
October 16, 6-7 PM – At Home: Residential EVs (Ownership & Charging)
October 30, 12-1 PM - On the Town: Commercial EV Charging (Charging & Installation)
November 14, 12-1 PM - Into the Future: Innovative EV Technology
Next date: Friday, October 20, 2023 | 09:00 AM to 10:30 AM
Adults. Join a naturalist as we go into the field to learn how to identify birds using sight and sound while we observe them in their natural habitat as well as how to use the app called eBird. Registration required
Reptiles and Amphibians of NoVA
When: Wednesday, October 25, 7:00pm
Where: Virtual
Join us for an informative and facinating discussion on herpetology (the study of reptiles and amphibians) with Alonso Abugattas, a well-known local naturalist, environmental educator, and storyteller. Arlington Magazine described him as a Natural Treasure. You won't want to miss this talk! This webinar is hosted by the Friends of Dyke Marsh. Learn more and register here.
Rain Gardens for Homeowners
Rain gardens, also known as bioretention areas, are attractive landscape features that allow rain water and snow melt to infiltrate into the ground. A layer of mulch and plants intercept water running off streets, driveways, and rooftops, slowing its flow and removing pollutants before the water reaches local streams, the Occoquan River and the Potomac River, drinking water supplies for the region. Watch the webinar video!
Only Rain Down the Drain!
Polluted stormwater runoff is the number one cause of water pollution in Northern Virginia. Please pick up the dog stuff, recycle used motor oil, and don’t over fertilize your lawn.
If you are looking for a sustainable landscape designer or installer, consider hiring someone with the new Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional Certification. The Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional (CBLP) Certification is a new, voluntary credential system for professionals who design, install, and maintain sustainable landscapes. The credential training and examination are based on a core set of standards in sustainable landscaping emphasizing stormwater best practices and conservation landscaping with native plants to benefit the environment.
Do you hire a company to take care of your lawn? Landscaping companies registered with the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation as Green & Clean Landscapers agree to follow landscaping practices that will reduce the amount of fertilizer runoff into our streams and rivers. Such practices include testing the soil for nutrient content before applying any fertilizer, adhering to caps on the amount of nitrogen applied to grass throughout the year, sweeping up any fertilizer that lands on hard surfaces such as sidewalks and driveways, and recycling grass clippings back into the soil. Learn more about the program and see the full list of companies on the Green & Clean registry.
If you contract with a landscaping company that uses your County-provided collection services to dispose of yard waste, you are responsible for coordinating with your contractor to ensure that any yard waste is placed in your County-provided yard waste cart, paper bags, bundles or household containers and set out for collection after 5 p.m. on the day prior to your service day. Your contractor may not set out yard waste in plastic bags for collection. Plastic isn't compostable and won't be collected. Only biodegradable paper yard waste bags will be collected.
Turn Your Yard into a Wildlife Sanctuary!
Would you like to turn your garden into a welcoming space for birds, butterflies and other native wildlife and help enhance the value of our urban green spaces? Get free advice on how to make your yard more wildlife friendly! The Audubon at Home Wildlife Sanctuary certification program assists homeowners in restoring their home’s natural habitat by providing information on sustainable gardening practices. These practices include using native plants, removing invasive species, reducing use of pesticides and fertilizers, and creating space for native flora and fauna.
Audubon at Home ambassadors will visit and consult with you on suitable native plants, landscaping, water retention, or other best practices. To learn more about the program in Arlington or Alexandria, please visit audubonva.org to learn more. If you have additional questions, please contact Alda Krinsman or Alyssa Ford Morel. Volunteer ambassadors will arrange a site visit and talk with you about ways to enhance habitat in your garden.
Take the Guess Work Out of Choosing Native Plants for Your Yard!
Maybe you know a little about native plants and how they are important for the ecological functioning of our landscapes, including assisting our sagging populations of butterflies and other pollinators. Maybe you know nothing about natives and just want some new ideas for beautifying your landscaping. Whatever your goal and whatever your knowledge level, the Plant Nova Natives website includes terrific, picture-filled, and easy to follow information that will help you choose native species that are suited to your property and available at local nurseries. On the website, you will find a colorful guide to local native species, a list of local businesses that supply natives, and links to organizations that will come to your property and offer customized landscaping recommendations.
Tree Care Resources
Concerned about your trees? The pruning of medium to large trees is best left to qualified arborists both in terms of evaluating the need, and applying the treatment. While well executed pruning can reduce the risk of storm damage, poorly executed pruning can increase the risk. And always deter tree topping as a risk reduction treatment.
For a list of certified arborists in this area: http://www.goodtreecare.com and look for the Find an Arborist tab.
