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The ancient Greeks and Romans believed that Sirius, the Dog Star, added to the sun’s heat. Today, we know the hot, humid summer weather is due to the tilt of the Earth. We still call them dog days and they've been hot and howling! We hope you've been managing to staying cool this summer. This month you can find us in the air-conditioned Thomas Jefferson Community Center at the Arlington County Fair and look for ‘cool’ things coming this fall.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
August 13-17 Arlington County Fair
The Arlington County Fair is happening August 13-17 at Thomas Jefferson Community Center, 3501 2nd St. S. Loaded with family fun, games, rides, exhibitions and vendors, there’s something for everyone! For more information on the county fair visit: arlingtoncountyfair.us.
Volunteer with EcoAction Arlington at the Arlington County Fair!
September 10 Energy Masters Celebration & Intro to EcoAmbassadors Happy Hour
Join us at The Departmental Progressive Club in Alexandria from 6:30-8:00pm to celebrate the culmination of another successful Energy Masters season! We will also talk about the evolution into EcoAmbassadors! There will be a cash bar and light refreshments.
The 22nd Annual Arlington Green Community Tour & Celebration is set for Sunday, September 14 from 10:30am-4:30pm. The FREE Community Welcome Event takes place at Central Library Plaza from 10:30am-12:30pm with plant demos, sustainable gardening, energy saving tips and more!
The Green Home & Garden Tour requires a ticket; a map of the properties/tour will be sent after registration for a self-guided tour of green homes and gardens with examples of sustainable designs. $20 Individual (includes cyclists) | $35 for 2 people | $40 carpool. Registration not required for the Community event at the library.
Our Annual Trash Tally, in partnership with the Ocean Conservancy's International Coastal Cleanup and Clean Virginia Waterways, will take place at an Arlington County park on Saturday, September 20, 2025 from 10:00am-12:00pm. Participants will break out into small groups to tally the collected trash using the CleanSwell app. Families, individuals, and groups are welcome. Registration is required. Space is limited so register soon! Rain date is 9/27.
Arlington County is offering vouchers to help residents purchase electric bikes (e-bikes). Arlington residents can apply for an e-bike voucher from August 14-28 to receive a discount of $600. Income-eligible residents may qualify to receive a discount of $1,650. Visit the county website to see if you qualify and apply for a voucher.
Energy Masters Is Evolving Into EcoAmbassadors This Fall!
EcoAmbassadors is a new climate and energy-centered volunteer training and community engagement program. The program is an evolution of the award-winning Energy Masters Program that helped local families conserve energy and water. Building on the 14-year legacy of Energy Masters, the EcoAmbassador program will bring together a community of volunteers who are passionate about helping neighbors and their communities commit to personal activities to make our neighborhoods and homes healthier and more livable. The EcoAmbassadors training is centered on the City of Alexandria Energy and Climate Change Action Plan and Arlington’s Community Energy Plan and related climate strategies. Specific focus areas include reducing energy use and electrifying the home, shifting to eco-friendly transportation choices, and minimizing waste.
After completing training, volunteers make an annual service commitment and participate in a variety of projects in the community to hone their skills, serve tenants and homeowners, and disseminate information throughout the community.
Training will take place from October 1-29 in Arlington. The cost of the program is $110, Students are free. Applications are being accepted until September 24, 2025. Apply by September 13 for an early-bird discount. Existing Energy Masters may attend training and receive a t-shirt for $20.
Calling Middle and High School Students Passionate About The Environment!
Want to make a real impact in your community, build leadership skills, and connect with other climate-minded youth? Then this is your moment—apply to join EcoAction Arlington’s Student Board! You’ll help shape youth-led initiatives, plan events, and inspire local change.
Bill Campbell led a team of volunteers with the goal to install programmable thermostats in all 52 of the ARHA, low-income units. A team of twelve volunteers installed the thermostats in all of the units made available to them (43 units) and finished an hour ahead of schedule! Huge shout outs to Alex, Jerry, Chandler, Rob, Anne, Maddie, Rick, Sam, Avri, Vijetha, Mark, Yijin and everyone involved in making this happen!
Sustainability Tip
Beat the Heat! Use a fan with your AC to circulate the cold air. You can then set the thermostat a few degrees warmer and still feel comfortable.
Want to do more?The GetGreen Arlington appkicks off our "Beat the Heat" contest August 1, challenging you to take sustainable action all month long. Discover smart ways to save energy while staying cool, uncover local Arlington County tips to beat the heat, and implement easy methods to conserve water. Complete these actions in the GetGreen Arlington app to earn leaves and win awesome prizes, including a stylish GetGreen Arlington county t-shirt! Let's make August a month of cool actions and green impact for our community!
AROUND ARLINGTON Environmentally Focused Community Events
AUGUST 19 & 28| No New Gas Plants Comment Writing Party - Join Sierra Club members in writing comments to the VA Department of Environmental Quality and the State Corporation Commission to oppose Dominion Energy’s proposal to build 6 new methane gas plants in VA. This is in opposition to the Virginia Clean Economy Act that mandates relying on renewable energy and existing nuclear power plants by 2045. An alternative portfolio of clean energy, storage, and energy efficiency could meet the same amount of energy demand as the first proposed plant at less than half the cost. The events will take place from 6:00-8:00 pm on Aug 19 at the Oak Room, Lubber Run Community Center, 300 N. Park Dr, Arlington and Aug 28 at City of Fairfax Public Library, 10360 North St, Rooms 101A and 101B,Fairfax. These events are sponsored by the Chesapeake Climate Action Network and the Great Falls Group and Potomac River Group of the Virginia Chapter of Sierra Club. Pizza will be provided. Comments can be written and submitted or mailed at the event. The party may be available virtually. Register here. If you are unable to attend on these dates find resources and the comment form here.
SEPTEMBER 14 |Dress It Forward is a pop-up boutique filled with gently used homecoming, prom, and wedding guest dresses- available completely free to teens and young adults in our community. The goal is to help students who may not have the means to purchase formalwear still feel confident and celebrated at their special events. Admission is FREE. No registration required. Visit the event on September 14 from 10:00am to 3:00pm at Two Men and a Truck Warehouse, 5910 Farrington Ave, Alexandria, VA 22304.
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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