DDOE: Past Events

Event: Public Meeting: Restoring a Portion of Broad Branch Creek

Date: Sunday, January 27

Location: 3100 Military Road, NW.
The small sanctuary (Bet Am) at Temple Sinai,
Enter off Military Road and park in the parking lot behind the temple.
(Additional parking is available on Jocelyn Street.)

Time: 2 pm - 4 pm

Public Input Needed
The District Department of the Environment (DDOE) is examining the possibility of restoring a portion of Broad Branch Creek. The project will "daylight" or restore to the open air some or all of the flow of a previously covered creek that ran through the parkland along Nevada and Broad Branch Road from 36th Street to where the stream comes above ground in Rock Creek Park. Come to a public meeting to learn more about this potential project and express your thoughts, ideas, and concerns. The meeting will include a walking tour of the restoration area for those interested, so please dress appropriately!

This meeting is being facilitated by the Friends of Rock Creek's Environment.
For more information contact Steve Dryden at 301-656-0049 or jsdryden@comcast.net.

DDOE will work with The National Zoo to install storm drain markers. This project is in response to the National Zoo’s inquiry to DDOE seeking advice on ways to reduce their environmental impact. DDOE and National Zoo representatives will meet at the visitor’s center just inside the Connecticut Avenue Zoo entrance. Storm drains in the park and in the neighborhoods near the zoo will be marked. Approximately 20 people are expected to participate.

Why Mark Storm Drains:
Most of the water pollution in the District comes from polluted stormwater runoff. Stormwater runoff is rainfall or snowmelt that runs off the ground or impervious surfaces like buildings, roads, parking lots, etc. and drains into our local streams.

A major problem is that many people do not know that their storm drains lead directly to their local stream. By placing markers on our neighborhood storm drains we educate watershed residents not to dump in their local storm drain and we make them aware that their actions impact their local stream.

For how to get involved, and more information contact:
Steven Saari, steve.saari@dc.gov or 202-535-2961

This year marks exciting, new territory for OPC’s Home Energy Efficiency Expo. Over the years, Energy Expo has brought industry experts together with District residents in hands on workshops and demonstrations of the latest products and tips to reduce home energy costs. From energy saving light bulbs to introducing consumers to solar panels, OPC’s Expos have provided a wealth of information at a time when increasing energy costs are affecting household budgets throughout the city.

OPC’s Home Energy Efficiency Expo is an important step in helping make DC a "green and sustainable" city. Expo’s theme, “Making DC Energy Efficient and Environmentally Conscious: One Resident at a Time,” aims to help District residents realize they can reduce their home energy costs while being environmentally sensitive. Through its Green Building Act of 2006 and other legislative initiatives, the District of Columbia is part of a national trend to significantly reduce negative environmental impacts. By practicing home energy efficiency, District residents can not only save on energy costs, but protect the environment as well. To underscore the importance of Home Energy Efficiency Expo, OPC is joined by the Office of City Council member Mary M. Cheh, the District of Columbia Department of the Environment, the Bank of America, the United Planning Organization, the Metropolitan Council of Governments, the US Department of Energy and the National Capital YMCA as co-sponsors of the event.

Home Energy Effciency Expo Flyer*

School Garden Week October 15 - 20

Event: DC School Garden Week Kick-Off
Date: Monday, October 15
Location: La Salle Elementary School, 501 Riggs Rd, NE
Time: 10 am (tentative)
Join us for the kick-off for the first-ever DC School Garden Week. Led by teacher David Hilmy, fourth grade students at La Salle ES will be planting wetland plants in a new outdoor wetland, and there will be opportunities to tour the school’s new greenroof and solar panels. District Department of the Environment’s Director George Hawkins will be attending along with Michael Kaspar, Director of Science for DCPS. The mayor and other DCPS officials are among the invited guests. Stay tuned for updates!

Event: How Can I Start a School Garden?
Date: Tuesday, October 16
Location: Burroughs ES, 1820 Monroe St, NE
Time: 7 pm
Interested in starting a garden at your school, but have no idea where to start? Want to get your students outside, but unsure how to fit it in your curriculum? Our panelists will share their experiences working with school gardens in Washington. There will be discussion of successes and challenges, teaching techniques, funding opportunities, and the opportunity to network with others. Come to get your questions answered and meet others interested in school gardening.
Panelists include:

Event: A Walk Among Trees
Date: Thursday, October 18
Location: Murch Elementary School, 4810 36th St, NW
Time: 4:30-6 pm (rain or shine)
Casey Trees is hosting a Tree Walk at Murch Elementary School, where we have planted close to 100 trees. Learn and practice your tree identification skills as we cover the basics as well as offer more in-depth information about trees. RSVP to friends@caseytrees.org with “schools tree walk” in the subject line by October 12.
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Event: Garden Volunteer Workday
Date: Friday, October 19
Location: Various schools in DC
Time: TBD
What a better way to celebrate school gardens than by making sure that it looks its best! Gardens need constant care and attention, something that can be left on the end of a to-do list of school priorities. This week, let’s put it high on the list!
Schools – are you interested in having volunteers help you with your school garden? If so, register your volunteer event.

Event: DC School Gardens Bike Hop
Date: Saturday, October 20
Location: Bancroft ES, 1755 Newton St, NW
Time: 10 am
Join the Women’s Garden Cycles Project on a bike tour of vegetable and herb gardens at Bancroft ES, DC Bilingual Public Charter School , Children’s Studio School, and Horace Mann ES. Come learn about home-grown goodness at our city’s schools from people involved with the projects. RSVP to GardenBike@gmail.com so we can send important updates. Suggested donation is $10.
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Event: 4th Annual Fall Schoolyards Bus Tour
Date: Saturday, October 20
Location: Start at Watkins Elementary School, 420 12th St, SE
Time: 9 am
Come and see exemplary and diverse greening projects at various DC schools. At the sites, you will learn how these outdoor spaces can easily be integrated into the teaching curriculum, and get ideas for how to start your own school project. Our tentative schedule includes visiting Watkins ES, Sharpe Health School, Lowell School, LaSalle ES, and Cesar Chavez Public Charter School for Public Policy, Parkside Campus. Cost is $15 before September 30, $20 until October 12, and includes bus transportation between schools and lunch. DCEEC members receive a $5 discount.

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National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week October 22 - 26
National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week and DDOE’s Lead-Based Paint Management Program has scheduled several hazard reduction demonstrations and activities at designated paint/hardware stores within the community.

Monday, October 22, 2007 10 am - 2 pm
Brookland Servistar Hardware
3501 12th Street, NE

Wednesday, October 24, 2007 10 am - 2 pm
Monarch Home Decorating Center
5608 Connecticut Avenue, NW

Friday, October 26, 2007 10 am - 2 pm
Pfeiffer's Hardware
3219 Mount Pleasant Street, NW

Spend Car Free DC Day the healthy way...Walk, bike, skate, or Metro to work on Tuesday, September 18.

Rediscover the city; go Carfree on September 18. DC will celebrate its first Car Free Day. More than 1,500 cities around the world hold car free events, including many in the US. Going car-free is about reconnecting with the city, exploring new neighborhoods, and taking advantage of transportation choices.

It is about “SEEing” the city from outside the frame of a windshield, getting a little extra exercise, and remembering what makes our city unique and special. Let's all pledge to leave our cars at home and reconnect with the city and the people. Whether you take the bus with your neighbors, walk to lunch or dinner, or organize a bike ride or walking tour in your neighborhood, there are many ways to participate. Encourage your friends and coworkers to take the car-free pledge at www.carfreedc.info.

Wednesday, June 13
Anacostia Farmers Market Health Festival
Theme: Showcase DDOE programs and information (Lead, Radon, Energy, Fisheries etc)
Location: Anacostia Farmers Market 14th Street, Between U and V Streets SE.
Time: 3pm - 7pm
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Wednesday, June 20
7th Annual Bodywise Health Fair
Theme: The District Department of the Environment (DDOE) looks forward to participating in the 7th Annual Bodywise Health Fair where DDOE will educate fair participants on the following DDOE programs: "Money Saving Energy Tips," Energy Efficiency/Conservation Awareness Information, "Utility Discount Program (UDP)," and the HERS Program (explains Home Energy Audits).
Location: UDC Gymnasium (building 47)
Time:10am - 2pm
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Thursday, June 21
Daytime Camp for Children
Theme: Educating children about global warming and ways to save energy. 30 Kids ages 5-13 are expected.
Location: Living Wages 4235 4th Street SE Washington, DC 20032
Time: 10am
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June, 23 - 25
World Children's Festival (Environmental Education)
Location: On the National Mall
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Saturday, June 30
East of the River Eco-Expo
Theme: "Building On Our Past, Creating Our Future"Councilmember Barry and Jim Graham will be present.
Location: Boys & Girls Club at THEARC. 1901 Mississippi Avenue SE Washington, DC 20020
Time: 10am - 5pm
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Wednesday, July 11
Anacostia Farmers Market Family Fun Day
(more info to come)