We hope you are keeping warm and safe through the snow and ice. This month we have some cosy things to do from lunch to virtual talks.

ON THE CALENDAR
EcoAction Arlington Upcoming Events  & Opportunities

FEB 12 | In person event
Rooted In Community Luncheon
11:30AM-1:30PM @Busboy & Poets

Please join EcoAction Arlington, our partners, supporters, and community leaders for an intimate luncheon to champion and enhance our tree planting initiative. Let's celebrate three years of increasing tree canopy in Arlington in 13 target neighborhoods and our goal to make green spaces accessible to every community member, regardless of where they live. $. Busboys & Poets in Shirlington from 11:30AM-1:30PM Thursday, Feb 12. Tickets and Sponsorships available. RSVP by Feb 10. We believe everyone should have access to the Rooted In Our Community luncheon. To support this, we offer fee waivers by request. Please email office@ecoactionarlington.org to request a fee waiver or reduced price ticket. Thank you to our sponsors Northern Virginia Conservation Trust and Rock Spring Congregational United Church of Christ.

FEB 18 | Online talk
Climate Action in Arlington: Looking Ahead for 2026
7:00-8:30PM @Zoom

Come hear about exciting initiatives Arlington has underway to address the climate crisis and make Arlington a more sustainable, equitable, and healthier place to live and work. Learn how you can benefit from Arlington’s programs to save energy and money, compost your food waste, and adopt more sustainable habits. Speakers: Jennifer Fioretti, Assistant County Manager for Climate Policy; Jason Papacosma, Division Chief, Sustainability & Environmental Management. Free. Online at 7PM, Wednesday, Feb 12. Register for the Zoom link.

FEB 21 | In person event
Pop Up Shop
12:00-4:00PM @Washington-Liberty HS

Refresh Your Wardrobe Sustainably for Free - Arlington Students for Climate Action is hosting a free clothing pop-up Saturday, February 21 at Washington-Liberty High School’s Cafeteria, 1301 N Stafford St., Arlington, VA 22201. You may drop off your old wardrobe or pick up your next one! All students and community members are welcome; no registration required.

MAR 11 | In person signature event
EcoAction Arlington 48th Annual Meeting
6:30-9:00PM @Washington-Liberty HS

Join us for an overview of EcoAction Arlington programming for 2026, the election of our board of directors*, a featured presentation, interactive breakout sessions and exhibitors from local organizations. Free.  Wednesday, March 11 at 6:30 PM, Washington-Liberty High School Cafeteria. Registration required. *All members are eligible to vote. If you are not already a member,  you may become a member upon registration.

FEB 27 | in person event
The Dark White Forest
5:00-9:00PM @DC

The premiere of The Dark White Forest short documentary film about the life of former EcoAction Arlington board member, Melody Starya Mobley  will take place on Friday, February 27 from 5:00-9:00PM at 1899 St NE, Washington D.C.

The event includes a red carpet walk with media, film, survey, Q&A, and a reception with light refreshments.

The Dark White Forest tells Melody’s story: after decades of being silenced, history’s first black female forester fights to be heard in order to stop the cycle of abuse in the USDA Forest Service. The film's goal is to highlight the discrimination and harassment being experienced in the forestry community and to prevent this from happening in the next generation.

Donations are greatly needed and appreciated even if you can't attend to fund this event and future promotional and event costs. To purchase tickets and make a donation visit: https://thedarkwhiteforest.eventbrite.com/

EcoAction Arlington In The Community

SUSTAINABILITY TIP

To deal with ice and snow in an eco-friendly way, shovel early and often, use materials like sand or birdseed instead of salt, and apply minimal, pet-safe deicers like Calcium Magnesium Acetate (CMA).
Sweep and reuse salt to keep it out of our waterways. Read more on Winter Salt Smart: Use Less Salt on the Arlington County website.

Find more sustainability tips on the Getgreen Arlington app with climate action challenges, tips, and local opportunities. Download GetGreen Arlington on the App Store or Google Play.

AROUND ARLINGTON
environmentally focused community events

• Ongoing | Invasive species removal - Did you know volunteering to remove invasive species and similar opportunities can earn you credit towards your 2027 Stormwater Utility bill? Check out the event calendar to explore opportunities for future stormwater credit. 

• FEB 15 | Conversationists of Color Open Mic Night - Northern Virginia Conservation Trust (NVCT) hosts an event uplifting the voices of conservationists of diverse backgrounds. Free. 5-7PM at Busboys and Poets Shirlington. RSVP here.

• FEB 21 | Feel the Heritage Festival - from 12-5 PM at Charles Drew Community Center, this festival will bring music, dance, food, family-friendly activities and plenty of opportunities to connect and reflect on the stories that unite us. RSVP here.

• FEB 21 | Winter Stream Ecology Hike - 11AM-12PM. Adults. On this guided walk, explore stream ecology in winter and uncover how aquatic life adapts to survive the freezing temperatures, slower currents, and reduced food supply. Teens 16+ welcome with a registered adult. Register here.

• FEB 24 | Protecting Our Watershed 11AM-12PM - Join Arlington Park Naturalist Itzamar Duran Cruz to learn about local conservation efforts through an exploration of ongoing projects in our watershed. Discover how our community is protecting natural resources and how you can get involved in making a difference. Register here. 

• Feb 28 | Free Rain Garden Workshop 9:30AM-12PM - Learn how to design, construct, and maintain a rain garden for your property that can absorb rain water, improve wildlife habitat, and support the health of waterways and drinking water supplies. In-person and virtual options are available. In person workshop will take place at Lubber Run Community Center, 300 N Park Drive. Register here.

COMMUNITY NEWS

• NVCT is seeking dynamic, engaged board members interested in helping to lead an influential and growing land conservation organization saving nearby nature across Northern Virginia. Interested in joining? Learn more or show your interest by applying on their website at www.nvct.org/join-our-team

• The Chesapeake Community Modeling Program (CCMP) is accepting abstracts for the Chesapeake Community Research Symposium on June 1-3, 2026, in Annapolis, Maryland. The deadline for abstract submission is February 13, 2026, at 5pm.

Session descriptions and instructions on submitting an abstract can be found on the website.

• Renter Resources for Green Living --The County's AIRE team recognizes the complexities associated with incorporating energy efficiency measures into leased homes. To assist renters of all types, they have curated resources that guide renters in adopting environmentally friendly practices within their apartments, condos, houses and other dwellings. Check out these resources.

• Beyond Plastic Pollution, offered by Bennington College’s Center for the Advancement of Public Action is an in-depth masterclass on all things plastic pollution-related. Instruction will be held via Zoom on Wednesday evenings from 7-9PM starting on February 18 and ending on April 1. The class is open to anyone from high school students to college students to community members to retirees and more. Location does not matter. View the course description here. Cost: $100 to audit, or $400 for Bennington College credit (1 credit). Register here.

Subscribe to The EcoAdvocate -- The EcoAdvocate newsletter, produced by the EcoAction Arlington Advocacy Committee, provides sustainability tips, news, and an overview of opportunities to influence elected officials and leaders on Arlington and Virginia policy.