02-03-2025
This month’s issue includes the Sustain Fairfax campaign; a call for vendors for the 2025 Earth Day Fairfax event; the crisis assistance program for winter heat emergencies; new data on energy reductions in county operations; the Flood Mitigation Assistance Program; the Connect with County Leaders podcast; Plan Forward events in February; a Go Solar event in Alexandria; community Clean Fairfax’s 2024 Annual Report and community cleanup program; a conference for Spanish-speaking landscape professionals; college scholarships for environmental conservation; a rain garden workshop; a Green Breakfast event on climate action and resiliency; and much more!
|
We want to know: what's one small or big climate action you've taken in 2025 so far? We'd love to hear your story and celebrate the positive impact Fairfax County residents are making! Answer our newsletter reader poll.
|
TAKE ACTION
Join the Sustain Fairfax Campaign
|
What Is It? Sustain Fairfax is a public awareness campaign about growing concerns about climate change and the need for collective action.
What Can You Do? Integrate simple environmentally friendly lifestyle changes into your routine. Small climate actions make a big difference.
|
Simple lifestyle changes by county residents can add up to big changes that help build a more sustainable environment. A new county-sponsored public awareness campaign draws attention to actions that residents can take to collectively foster environmental stewardship and promote sustainable practices that will ensure a greener, healthier future.
The county’s Sustain Fairfax campaign makes it easy for residents to get involved. The webpage lists actionable steps, as well as resources, information and opportunities to participate in various climate action programs and initiatives.
Sustain Fairfax is a response to growing concerns about climate change, environmental degradation and the need for collective action. Through this initiative, the county seeks to create a more sustainable future by encouraging actions that conserve energy, reduce the reliance on gas-powered vehicles, safeguard homes from flooding and severe storms, and preserve natural resources that enhance the overall quality of life for its residents.
Join the movement today and be a part of the solution!
Create a Greener Workplace: Simple Steps to Lower Your Business's Carbon Footprint
|
What Is It? A blog from Fairfax County’s Green Business Partners program, aimed toward Fairfax County companies who want to be more sustainable.
What Can You Do? Take practical steps in your workday to reduce your carbon footprint and promote sustainability in your business.
|
As businesses strive for sustainability in their operations, small changes can make a big impact. Our Green Business Partners program — which recognizes and supports local companies for their emissions reduction efforts — recently shared an article with practical steps any office can take to shrink their carbon footprint and promote greener practices. Read our latest blog post to learn more.
 New to Climate Matters? Check out Year of Climate Matters with highlights from our first year of blog posts.
Apply to be a Vendor at Earth Day Festival 2025
|
What Is It? An Earth Day event, hosted by Fairfax County Park Authority, looking for vendors.
What Can You Do? Explore the vendor information provided and apply or share with someone you may know who would be interested.
|
Come be a part of the largest Earth Day celebration in Fairfax County! The Fairfax County Park Authority is anticipating another stellar event with thousands of visitors gathering on Saturday, April 26, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Sully Historic Site in Chantilly to celebrate Earth Day.
Applications are being accepted until February 10 through the Earth Day Festival Vendor/Exhibitor webpage for vendors and exhibitors to participate in this outdoor extravaganza! Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with thousands of Fairfax County residents as we celebrate our environment and encourage Earth-friendly stewardship practices.
Get Help with Heating Costs with Crisis Assistance Program
|
What Is It? A program designed to help residents who are struggling with heating their home.
What Can You Do? If you or anyone you know may need heat assistance this winter, follow the instructions to apply before March 17.
|
It's been a cold winter so far, which can strain heating systems and budgets. Crisis Assistance helps those who are in a “no heat” situation in their home, such as broken equipment or receiving a disconnection notice.
You could receive assistance for payment of a security deposit, purchase of heating fuel, repair or replacement of broken heating equipment, or supplemental heating equipment. Crisis Assistance applications are accepted until March 17, 2025.
To apply for Crisis Assistance, or other food and medical benefits, visit CommonHelp or call 855-635-4370.
Resolve to be Ready in 2025
|
What Is It? A webinar on emergency preparedness events and topics for the new year.
What Can You Do? Watch the webinar and take the recommended steps for emergency preparedness.
|
The Fairfax County Department of Emergency Management and Security (DEMS) recently held a webinar on how you can resolve to be ready in 2025.
The theme for 2025 will be "Together We're Ready" and will include topics and events around preparing family emergency plans, safeguarding important documents, and budgeting for disasters. Some events planned this year will include First Responder Interaction Day (April 26), Preparedness Month Expo (September 6), and Public Safety Day (October 4), along with Public Safety Days throughout the year. Stay tuned for more details.
CLIMATE PLANS AND PROGRAM UPDATES
ICYMI: County Energy Data Shows Nearly $8 Million in Utility Costs Savings in FY24
Fairfax County’s efforts to make county operations greener has resulted in nearly $8 million in savings from avoided utility costs in fiscal year 2024.
By making its buildings energy efficient, installing solar panels for clean energy, and electrifying its vehicle fleet, Fairfax County has also cut its greenhouse gas emissions by almost 28% since fiscal year 2018, according to new data from the county’s energy dashboard.
“Reducing our use of fossil fuels for powering our buildings and vehicles not only provides important environmental benefits and improves our energy independence and resilience, it also lowers our utility and fuel costs,” said County Executive Bryan Hill. “As this new data shows, we continue to make steady progress on the environmental goals of the Countywide Strategic Plan and our operational goal of carbon neutrality by 2040.”
Fairfax County's FMAP: Your Partner in Flood Mitigation and Resilience
Fairfax County's Flood Mitigation Assistance Program (FMAP) offers residents financial support in reducing flood risks and enhancing community resilience.
Funded by Fairfax County and administered by the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District, the program offers applicants 50% reimbursement—up to a maximum of $5,000—for the costs of projects that protect their properties from flood damage. Fairfax County’s residential property owners and renters, homeowners and condominium associations, and places of worship may apply. Projects on FMAP’s Approved List of Practices, or those approved on a case-by-case basis by the Northern Virginia Soil & Water Conservation District, are eligible for reimbursement.
Spotlight on OEEC Outreach: Herndon Residents Learn Ways to Reduce Costs, Save Energy
 OEEC partnered with Cornerstones, a local non-profit, to provide a learning session for Herndon residents on ways to reduce their energy use and emissions.
The session was held on January 28 at the Herndon Neighborhood Resource Center. Over 15 attendees received free home energy efficiency kits and learned about improvements they could make to their homes to increase comfort, decrease their energy use and reduce costs. The session was offered in Spanish and English by OEEC volunteer Jo Doumbia.
Interested in having an expert from OEEC speak at your next event? Visit our Request a Speaker page to learn more and to submit your request.
Save the Date for Green Breakfast Event on Climate Action and Community Resilience
Join Sara Girello with Fairfax County Government’s Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination for the first in-person Green Breakfast since 2019! The event is on March 8 from 9 to 11 a.m. at Ornery Brewery, 3950 University Drive in Fairfax. Come learn more about climate action in Fairfax County and the county’s work to “Sustain Fairfax”. Girello will highlight the county’s climate plans, programs, and progress and what you can do to save money, reduce your emissions, build resilience, and help our community.
The Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District hosts the popular Green Breakfasts, which have been virtual the past few years. You can view the Green Breakfast YouTube playlist to see past Green Breakfast events.
Join Your Neighbors: Get Involved with Plan Forward this February
As Fairfax County's multi-year project, Plan Forward, moves ahead to update policies that guide land development, new community outreach opportunities are coming up. Meetings, both in-person and virtual, kick off Wednesday, Feb. 5.
Plan Forward focuses on updating the policies in the Policy Plan, a part of the Comprehensive Plan, which affects future land use decisions and potential development. The county started community outreach for Plan Forward in the spring of 2024 to get different types of community feedback for potential policy updates.
Community members are encouraged to join a community meeting, in person or virtually, this February to learn about new research findings that impact the Policy Plan, submit feedback and ask questions.
Regional Leadership and Collaboration: A Conversation with COG Executive Director Clark Mercer
On a recent episode of Connect with County Leaders podcast, Clark Mercer, executive director of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG), sat down with Fairfax County Executive Bryan Hill to share insights about regional cooperation, economic growth, environmental initiatives and the future of the DMV area.
COG leads one of the nation’s first regional climate change initiatives through its Metropolitan Washington 2030 Climate and Energy Action Plan. The organization has already achieved its initial goal of reducing greenhouse gases by 20% by 2020 and is now working toward a 50% reduction by 2050.
BUILDINGS AND ENERGY
Go Solar Event on Feb. 9 at Beth El Hebrew Congregation in Alexandria
Looking to go solar at home but don’t know where to start? The Climate Committee at Beth El Hebrew Congregation in Alexandria is hosting a “Go Solar at Home” event on Feb. 9 from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Hear from a panel of experts and local homeowners on powering your home with energy from the sun. Information on the costs, financial incentives, roof considerations and battery backup will be discussed. Register today at: www.bethelhebrew.org/event/go-solar-at-home.html
SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORTATION
Steverson Appointed Director of Fairfax County Department of Transportation
Gregg Steverson has been appointed director of the Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT). Steverson, who has served as acting director since May 2023, brings nearly three decades of experience in multimodal transportation planning, operations and leadership.
FCDOT includes approximately 190 staff members across six divisions and two independent sections, overseeing key transportation initiatives that support Fairfax County’s strategic goals. Steverson will continue to oversee the county’s role in major projects such as the expansion of high-occupancy toll lanes and implementation of future bus rapid transit systems. Steverson is also responsible for managing a transportation budget of more than $1 billion, funded by proffers, grants, county funds and regional and state contributions.
Embrace the Winter Chill with Winter Bike to Work Day!
The Fairfax County Department of Transportation’s Active Fairfax program is partnering with The Bike Lane, 11150 Sunset Hills Road in Reston (just off the W&OD Trail), to sponsor a pit stop for the 2025 Winter Bike to Work Day.
Join FCDOT staff from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m., on Friday, Feb. 14, for coffee, donuts and bicycle safety giveaways as they celebrate winter commuting in the DMV!
WASTE REDUCTION
Order Free Supplies from Clean Fairfax for Your Next Community Cleanup
As we move toward late winter and early spring, this is the perfect time of year to schedule and organize a community cleanup in the coming month. The cold weather has withered undergrowth, exposing litter and making it easier to collect. Check out Clean Fairfax’s Community Cleanup Program! They will send you free supplies to support your event, such as gloves, trash bags, and safety vests. No event is too small: make it a family cleanup; a thing you do with a few neighbors; or invite a club to which you belong to get outside for a morning or afternoon of service. Everything helps. Order your free supplies today by going to the Clean Fairfax website, www.cleanfairfax.org, for a wealth of resources.
While you’re there, check out Clean Fairfax’s 2024 Annual Report and Director’s Statement. In 2024, Clean Fairfax supported 190 community cleanups, which involved over 2,700 volunteers who picked up over 85 tons of litter from our environment. These grassroots efforts saved taxpayers over $246,000.
NATURAL RESOURCES
Register Now for Conference for Spanish-Speaking Landscape Professionals
The Third Annual Conference for Landscape Professionals will be held on Thursday, February 20 at the Fairfax County Government Center. Spanish-speaking landscape professionals are invited to come and learn more about designing with native plants, tips on healthy soil, and use of rain gardens.
The event is free, and lunch and snacks will be provided. Registration is required by February 19. Visit the website or email PlantNovaNatives@gmail.com with questions.
College Scholarships for Conservation and the Environment: Apply Now!
Fairfax County high school seniors or college freshmen are eligible to receive a $1,000 Future Conservation Leaders Scholarship from Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District. This scholarship supports studies related to natural resource conservation and invests in the talented youth of Fairfax County. NVSWCD’s Future Conservation Leaders Scholarship award winner will also be submitted to the VASWCD Educational Foundation committee for review and may be eligible to receive one of four $2,000 state-wide scholarships.
Register for 2025 Rain Garden Workshop
The Northern Virgina Regional Commission is co-hosting a Rain Garden Workshop at Lubber Run Community Center in Arlington, Va., on Saturday, February 22 from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Rain gardens are attractive landscape features that allow rain water and snow melt to absorb into the ground, slowing runoff and removing pollutants before the water reaches local creeks and streams. Participants in the workshop will learn how to design, construct, and maintain a rain garden for their property that can absorb rain water, improve wildlife habitat, and support the health of waterways and drinking water supplies. A virtual option is also available to individuals who are not able to attend in-person.
More Environmental, Climate, and Energy News Online
The Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination's monthly "Environmental, Climate, and Energy" e-newsletter is dedicated to providing you with the latest news and updates on climate action plans, programs and policies. To see past issues of this newsletter, visit our website!
|
