October

Newsletter

red oak leaves in autumn

WELCOME FALL!


Fall is here and as the seasons turn, we enter a time of nesting. Our thoughts turn to all we have done and all we have yet to do; we scribble in our gratitude journals and generously open our hearts and minds. EcoAction Arlington is continuously working on ways to strengthen and sustain our community. We hope we are on your mind, as you are always on our mind and in our hearts.


Also on our minds and in our hearts are all those impacted by Hurricane Helene and its aftermath. Hurricane Helene is a powerful reminder of the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events driven by our climate crisis. Its devastating impacts highlight the urgency of action to address the root causes of climate change. These disasters aren't confined to distant regions—they affect our own communities, too.



In Arlington County, it is important that we understand how climate change heightens the risks of severe weather, flooding, and power outages. This is a call to be better prepared and more engaged in climate action. Stay informed, and take steps to protect your family and community by reviewing Arlington's emergency preparedness resources and creating a plan.

Earth Gives Day is October 1, 2024!


Earth Gives Day is an initiative to invite more people into the community of environmental stewards and climate action takers. Eco philanthropy makes up just 2% of all giving, yet climate change is impacting our health, the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the food we eat. We must act NOW to protect our families, our kids, our homes and businesses, and our futures. EcoAction Arlington's vision is that all Arlingtonians are collectively engaged in creating a sustainable community. Please help us by giving a financial gift. Please also consider helping EcoAction Arlington reach our goals by creating a fundraiser of your own! Giving closes at midnight PST.




Together, more is possible. 

GIVE NOW


Thank You bartaco!


EcoAction Arlington is extremely grateful to bartaco for their #givingtaco chicken karaage campaign. Our community loves to give back and eat tacos! Win - Win. EcoAction Arlington is all about giving to the community and it means a great deal to us to have been chosen as a #givingtaco partner with bartaco, a community-focused restaurant group that cares about sustainability. With the money raised, we will be able to promote planting more trees and educating the community about green sustainability practices and behaviors.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

kids_trick.jpg

TRUNK OR TREAT

October 19, 2-5 pm

Lubber Run Community Center

Free

Put on your costume and trick or treat with EcoAction Arlington and others at this walk-through event. Each trunk will be festively decorated and distributing treats to registered youth. Registration required.

Note: 2-2:30 pm is Sensory Hour for a quieter and less spooky time for new trick-or-treaters or those that welcome a more calming environment.


More info and registration on Arlington County's website

Register

ECOACTION ARLINGTON SOCIAL December 10

Save the Date: Calling all volunteers, members, and eco-advocates! Mark your calendars for our next upcoming Social on December 10 from 6-8 pm. Come out and connect with fellow eco-passionate folks in our community! This event is free and open to all! These events will be held quarterly to cultivate connection and community!


Registration coming soon!

UPCOMING OPPORTUNITIES

We're Hiring Tree Ambassadors to help protect and nurture Arlington's urban forest.


To learn more information on open job positions visit our website.


Make a difference in our community! Send your resume to office@ecoactionarlington.org.

VIEW JOBS


EcoAction Arlington is Seeking Your Input

We want to extend a huge thank you to those who joined us for our August and September focus group sessions during which we engaged our members, volunteers, partners, and high school students. Each of these sessions included rich conversation with a wealth of thoughtful insights and ideas. Also, thank you to all who have expressed an interest in participating.



EcoAction Arlington is continuing to engage with the community to learn how to increase and elevate our impact. We are looking for volunteers interested in joining upcoming focus group sessions to share their thoughts and opinions. During these sessions, we will facilitate a group dialogue about how we can enhance EcoAction Arlington’s ability to improve our environment and address climate change at the local level.


For the next round of focus groups in late October/early November, we want to hear from working people ages 18 to 35 and current college students. If you are interested in participating, please fill out this form.


Interested in getting involved but don’t fit these target audiences? Please complete our interest form, and we will follow up when we have additional opportunities to get involved in a focus group.

Submit Interest Form

SUSTAINABILITY TIPS

Reducing food waste is a key step individuals can take to shrink their carbon footprint and save money at the same time. EcoAction Arlington’s Food Waste Reduction Campaign will offer tips and inspiration to make progress within our community.

SHOPPING TIPS TO REDUCE FOOD WASTE

This month, Molly Bolan, EcoAction Arlington volunteer, has shopping tips and actions you can take to reduce how much food you’re tossing in the trash or compost – and help you save a few bucks in the process. The first steps come before you even set foot in a grocery store. Start by planning your week and taking stock.

Read More

Annual Cleanup & Trash Tally


Over 100 volunteers came out to Barcroft Park on Saturday, September 21 for the Annual Cleanup and Trash Tally. We collected over 200 lbs. of trash and contributed to the trash tally with Clean Virginia Waterways to help identify trends and solutions to reduce plastic pollution. Thank you to Kara, program manager, service project leaders, and all the volunteers who came out to care for our environment.



Volunteer Fair


We had a great time meeting passionate volunteers at the volunteer fair earlier this month! Big thanks to JustServe and Volunteer Alexandria for organizing and everyone who visited the Energy Masters table. Excited for future collaborations as we continue to protect our planet together!


EcoAction Arlington Social


The rain did not stop us! We moved the venue indoors and had a great time with great conversation. Bill Eger, from the Dept. of Safety, Communications & Emergency Management, Mike Lowe, EcoAction Arlington Board Chair, and Joan McIntyre were in attendance along with volunteers and some new faces. We had the pleasure to meet and get to know Emy, our new outreach assistant. Mark your calendars for our next social on December 10.

AROUND ARLINGTON

ENVIRONMENTALLY FOCUSED COMMUNITY EVENTS

Car Free then EV Arlington's Transporation Webinar Thursday October 3

Car Free, Then EV: Arlington's Transportation Webinar

October 3, 12-1 pm

Free Virtual Webinar


Arlington's Initiative to Rethink Energy (AIRE) invites you to join a virtual session to hear more about sustainable transportation options for getting around the county. The webinar will include a panel presentation on transit options available (including EVs, e-bikes and public transit), the upcoming e-bike voucher program and EV charging infrastructure in the County.


Details and registration here

Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions' 8th Annual Climate Crisis Forum: Green Schools for Sustainable Communities

October 7, 6-8:30 pm

Meridian High School, Falls Church

Free


This event will feature Northern Virginia superintendents and student climate activists passionate about how our local schools are tackling the climate crisis and making a difference in our communities. Doors open at 6 PM for tables and exhibits from local organizations taking action in our communities.


Details and registration here

ONGOING OPPORTUNITIES


Free Native Trees for Arlington Residents

The Arlington County Department of Parks and Recreation is offering 500 young native trees to residents at no cost this fall. Learn more and register for your free tree.


Sierra Club Potomac River Group Mini-Grant Applications

The Sierra Club’s Potomac River Group is accepting proposals for new projects that promote environmental sustainability and climate health. They will award 1-2 mini-grants each year, up to $500 each. To learn more about this opportunity and apply, scroll to the bottom of their homepage for "Call for Mini-Grant Applications."

MORE LOCAL EVENTS

October 4, 2024


The 2024 Festival Latinoamericano will be held on Fri., Oct. 4 (RESCHEDULED), from 5-9 pm at Arlington Mill Community Center. This free event is designed to be inclusive and educational, offering attendees of all backgrounds a chance to experience Hispanic Heritage firsthand. FREE. Registration is not required, but heavily encouraged to allow an accurate count of anticipated attendance.


October 5, 2024


The Fall E-CARE drop-off event is Oct. 5. Take advantage of an eco-friendly way to dispose of household hazardous materials & electronics.


October 7, 2024

Arlington County 2025 GBIP Update This free virtual presentation on Arlington's 2025 Green Building Incentive Program update will be held on Oct. 7 from 7-8 pm. The webinar will be followed by a 30-minute Q&A session on the red-lined updated document. Register to receive the link

October 13-14, 2024

Help Build a Pollinator Garden on Oct. 13 & 14, 9 am–4 pm. Eagle Scout Carter Kunz from Troop 111 is leading the project at Jamestown Park, 3816 N Dickerson Street. Your efforts will support our community and local wildlife! For more information, contact Carter at carterkunz26@gmail.com. Free. Sign up requested.

October 17, 2024


On Thursday, October 17th at 10:30 am, JoeAnn Hart author of ARROYO CIRCLE, along with Sharon Wishnow author of THE PELICAN TIDE, will appear in Exploring the Climate Crisis Through Fiction as part of Fall for the Book’s 2024 Fall Festival. This event will take place on the George Mason University Fairfax campus in the Wilkins Plaza Tent, between the Johnson Center and Horizon Hall. The event is free and open to the public. Fall for the Book is Northern Virginia’s oldest and largest festival of literature and the arts, bringing vital literary events to their community for over 25 years. All events are free and open to the public thanks to the generous support of their sponsors. View the full festival event offerings here.

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As our community's needs evolve, we remain committed to improving and educating community members on how to create more sustainable lives for the future of Arlington, improving the quality of life for all. Your contribution to these efforts make it possible.

EcoAction Arlington is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that works to educate, advocate, and act to create a sustainable community by improving our natural environment, encouraging environmentally-friendly behaviors, ensuring environmental justice, and addressing the climate crisis.

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