environment

News

County Signs Nationwide Pledge To Uphold Paris Climate Goals

By Chris Teale

President Trump announced last week he will withdraw the United States from the pact to help preserve American jobs and avoid placing heavy burdens on the country’s taxpayers. The decision brought swift condemnation from local elected officials.

County leaders joined on Monday (June 5) an open letter to the international community and parties to the Paris Agreement entitled, “We Are Still In.” The letter promises that efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions will continue, regardless of federal policy.

Go to County Signs Nationwide Pledge To Uphold Paris Climate Goals Read more
News

‘Green Streets’ Project May Be Coming To Williamsburg Blvd

By Chris Teale
Construction is set to begin in June or July (photo via Google Maps)

The Arlington County Board will consider a plan to make a stretch of Williamsburg Blvd a so-called “Green Street” at its meeting Saturday.

The section of Williamsburg Blvd, between 33rd Road N. and 35th Street N., would have new trees added as well as two 1,000-square-foot rain gardens in the median. The project is intended to improve local water quality and address permit requirements as part of the county’s Green Streets project for stormwater management.

Go to ‘Green Streets’ Project May Be Coming To Williamsburg Blvd Read more
Schools

APS Says It Saved More Than $2 Million With Switch Away from Paper Flyers

By Chris Teale

APS implemented a system called Peachjar last year, replacing paper-based “backpack mail” with email that’s sent directly to the inboxes of elementary and middle school parents.

With a click, families can also use Peachjar to register their children for school events, after-school programs and other activities.

Go to APS Says It Saved More Than $2 Million With Switch Away from Paper Flyers Read more
News

Arlington Boathouse Plan Slowly Moves Forward

By Katie Pyzyk
View of Key Bridge, the Potomac River and D.C. from the Waterview building in Rosslyn

There’s a renewed push for action on the decades-old plan to build a boathouse in the Rosslyn area.

County and federal officials want the public to know that although the project has stopped and restarted several times, it definitely hasn’t been scrapped.

Go to Arlington Boathouse Plan Slowly Moves Forward Read more
News

Volunteers Needed to Help Clean Up Four Mile Run Next Month

By Adrian Cruz

Volunteers with Arlingtonians for a Clean Environment (ACE) will help pick up trash from the stream during the organization’s annual cleanup at Barcroft Park on Saturday, Sept. 17.

Those who sign up for the event will be tasked with removing debris from Barcroft Park and along the banks of Four Mile Run.

Go to Volunteers Needed to Help Clean Up Four Mile Run Next Month Read more
Around Town

U.S. Green Building Council Honors Verde Pointe on Lee Highway

By Jackie Friedman
Mahesh Ramanujam, Peter Bergman and John Ziegenhein mark Verde Pointe's LEED Gold certification

(Updated at 9:15 a.m. Friday) A residential and retail development on Lee Highway has received national recognition for its energy, water and waste sustainability.

The U.S. Green Building Council honored Verde Pointe (1947 N. Uhle Street) this afternoon for achieving “LEED Gold,” the second highest rating for environmentally friendly buildings. The organization has given more than 32,500 commercial projects around the world certified, silver, gold and platinum ratings, said council chief operating officer Mahesh Ramanujam.

Go to U.S. Green Building Council Honors Verde Pointe on Lee Highway Read more
Schools

Yorktown High School Students Call for Integrated Recycling Bins

By Adrian Cruz

Right now, the school uses a system of regular trash cans and blue recycling bins to sort its garbage.

“One would think that we already have an effective system as there are blue recycling bins in every single classroom,” said the petition. “However, these recycling bins are just treated as normal trash cans by a majority of students. This eliminates the whole purpose of the recycling bins and teaches students that the environment is not that important and can be overlooked or put aside.”

Go to Yorktown High School Students Call for Integrated Recycling Bins Read more
News

Sierra Club Calls For 100 Percent Clean Energy In Arlington By 2035

By Adrian Cruz

The organization announced today that it is launching its Ready for 100 energy awareness campaign in Arlington and Alexandria. Fifteen U.S. cities including San Diego have already committed to 100 percent clean energy and Arlington has already vowed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent by 2050.

“We strongly support a goal of 100% clean energy,” said Elenor Hodges, Executive Director of Arlingtonians for a Clean Environment, in a press release. “Arlington County has already set a high bar for Virginia, but we can do even better. I think this is an effort many residents will get behind.”

Go to Sierra Club Calls For 100 Percent Clean Energy In Arlington By 2035 Read more
Around Town

Arlington Now Accepting ‘Notable Tree’ Nominations

By Jennifer Currier

Arlington County is preparing to make its list of 265 designated “notable trees” a bit longer.

The Department of Parks and Recreation is accepting nominations for its Notable Tree Program through Nov. 15. The program has identified the county’s most notable trees for nearly 30 years.

Go to Arlington Now Accepting ‘Notable Tree’ Nominations Read more
News

Penrose Residents Claim Trees Hurt by Dominion Trimming

By Heather Mongilio
The trimming resulted in a "V" shape formed by missing branches.

Residents in Arlington’s Penrose neighborhood are claiming that recent trimming by Dominion Power contractors injured trees that line the streets.

They are especially concerned with a White Oak tree on the corner of 8th Street S. and S. Veitch Street, which dates back to before the Civil War, said Terri Armao, chair of the Penrose Neighborhood Association’s Environmental Committee.

Go to Penrose Residents Claim Trees Hurt by Dominion Trimming Read more
View More Stories