Dear Providence Residents,
Happy Earth Day 2021! The theme for this year's Earth Day is "Restore Our Earth," which focuses on emerging green technologies and natural processes that can restore the world's ecosystems. Together we can work towards a green Providence District and Fairfax County.
Our office is passionate about limiting our carbon footprint and protecting the environment. We started an office composting program, we are working to increase bike paths in Providence, and we have outdoor "walking meetings" whenever possible!
Below, you will also see updates and opportunities from the county:
- Student Poetry Contest
- Office of Energy and Environmental Coordination (OEEC)
- Solarize NOVA
- FCPS Get 2 Green
I also want to take this opportunity to wish the community a Happy Ramadan to everyone who celebrates. Please stay safe and well.
With Gratitude,
Supervisor Dalia Palchik
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Fairfax Parks 2021 Student Poetry Contest |
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More than 120 students in grades K-8 entered the 2021 Fairfax Parks Student Poetry Contest presented by the Fairfax County Park Authority and the Fairfax County Park Foundation.
We are proud of our very own Providence winners and all of the participants!
- DoWon Lee, a fourth-grade student at Oakton Elementary School
- Sumayah Qazzaz of Falls Church, a seventh-grade homeschool student
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Happy Earth Day from the OEEC! |
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Once a year, on Earth Day, more than one billion people mobilize worldwide to draw attention to the greatest environmental challenges and opportunities of our time. This year is no different with people from more than 190 countries participating in events, sharing ideas, and advocating for change globally.
The 2021 Earth Day theme is “Restore Our Earth” and it is an undeniable call to action. We have within our power the ability to address some of the most pressing challenges humanity has faced, on an existential level. The question is, what will we do?
Earlier this month, the Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination launched a series of articles to highlight several of the components of the Earth Day “Restore Our Earth” campaign. Today, we are pleased to present this content in digest form for you.
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Deforestation/Reforestation: Globally, about 18 million acres of forest are sacrificed to human activity every year. We can support reforestation efforts locally. Read the article.
Plastic Pollution: Plastics. They’re everywhere. Apart from the possible health implications of this plastic invasion, there are serious ecological and environmental concerns at hand. Read the article.
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Food Waste: Food waste is one of the most pervasive problems facing us today, economically, socially, and environmentally. With 7.8 billion mouths to feed worldwide, and 800 million people contending with malnutrition, we cannot afford to allow food supplies to go to waste. Yet every year fully one third of the food meant for human consumption is tossed or lost. Read the article.
Environmental Literacy: In a 2020 study conducted by Yale University, 80 percent of Fairfax County residents said that schools should teach about global warming. By introducing environmental concepts and themes early in elementary school, students are given the opportunity to grow in their understanding of the world around them, their impact on it, and it's impact on their daily lives. Read the article.
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Protecting Pollinators: Three out of every four crops that produce seeds or fruit for human consumption worldwide rely on pollinators for propagation. Without appropriate habitats and sustenance, these species are waning worldwide, an alarming realization when you stop to consider the consequences. Creating environments that are hospitable for pollinators is a good first step and is something we can do locally. Read the article.
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The 2021 Solarize program has begun and will run until June 30. Are you ready to go solar?
The Solarize Fairfax County program is back for a fifth year running, providing county residents and businesses the chance to install solar arrays at a discount. From April 12 through June 30, Solarize reduced rates will be available through a pre-qualified solar installer, Solar Energy World.
All county residents and business owners are eligible for a free, remote assessment to evaluate if solar is appropriate for their home or commercial building. Those who decide to pursue solar through the program receive a 10-15% discount off current consumer rates for solar arrays and systems.
In 2021, for the first time, the Solarize program is offering participants the opportunity to install battery storage systems in connection with their arrays. Additionally, residential Solarize participants are eligible for a complimentary, virtual home energy assessment to help improve their home energy performance holistically. Solarize participants can also bundle electric vehicle charging stations with their solar system purchase at a discount.
- May 11 from 6:00 – 7:00 PM
- June 3 from 3:00 – 4:00 PM
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FCPS Earth Week 2021: Restore Yourself, Restore our Earth |
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With the stress of the pandemic, we all feel a need to restore ourselves. What better way to restore ourselves than to spend some time outdoors connecting once again to the Earth?
This Earth Week, Get2Green wants you to go outside every day from April 19-23, 2021. Let your time in nature foster conversation and learning about environmental topics that are essential in developing as ethical and global citizens who are stewards of the environment.
Here are some ideas for outdoor activities to restore yourself and help restore the Earth:
- Take a walk around your neighborhood or local park. Try to identify native species along your way.
- Read or write beneath a tree.
- Use sidewalk chalk to draw what inspires you or makes you feel peaceful.
- Let nature inspire your drawing, song or other creative outlet.
- Integrate a simple act of green into your daily routine. Take a shorter shower! Turn off lights when you leave a room!
- Take a garbage bag on your next jog/walk. Use gloves to pick up any trash you find along the way. Recycle anything you find that can be recycled.
- Plant a native tree, shrub or flower. Watch to see what pollinators visit your plant.
- Sit in the grass. How many living things do you see around you? What do you smell? What do you hear?
- Look up at the sky. What do you see?
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Find an activity in the Fairfax County Field Journal to complete outdoors.
- Project Learning Tree’s 12 Nature Walk Activities for Earth Day
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Public Garden Kickoff
Saturday, April 24 10am-1pm
This is an event hosted by teen changemakers that hale from both Providence's Oakton High School and all across the DMV. The event will adhere to local COVID-19 guidelines and will serve as a kickoff for a community access garden planned and tended to by teens. Additional event details and registration can be found HERE.
Invasive Management Area (IMA) Program: Invasive Plant Removal
Saturday April, 24 11am-3pm
Join the Invasive Management Area Program in planting native trees, removing invasive plants this Saturday from 11am to 3pm in Miller Heights.
Location: Park at Miller Hts. Rd. & Miller Rd.
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Earth Day celebration with face painting, poetry, pictures and puppets. Make a special Earth Day craft and help decorate a tree. The program at Green Spring Gardens runs from 1 to 2 p.m. The cost is $10 per person.
For more information, call 703-642-5173.
Location: 4603 Green Spring Rd. Alexandria, VA, 22312
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We want to hear from you! Please reach out to us with questions, comments or just to say hello.
Office Phone: (703) 560-6946
Email us HERE if you would like events included in our newsletter or you would like a member of our team to join your HOA meeting.
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