Power up this April with EcoAction Arlington — Earth Day is officially April 22, but one day isn't enough to celebrate our planet. Our Earth Month Challenge kicked off on the 1st to raise funds so everyday in Arlington can be Earth Day with your help. Help sustain our environment by volunteering at our annual Earth Month Cleanup on April 11 and if you haven’t already, get your tickets now for the 8th Annual EcoExtravaganza on April 23. 

Our Earth Month Challenge 2026 is on!  You have the power to protect our planet. Take action today by giving a gift to guarantee EcoAction Arlington is funded through the fiscal year. All gifts in April will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $25,000.

Please give as you are able, no amount is too small to make a difference. Give individually or create a fundraiser to support our critical work caring for our environment. Consider becoming a Monthly Sustainer and making every day in Arlington Earth Day. You can become a Monthly Sustainer by clicking the Give Now button and choosing the monthly option on the donation form. 

Give Now

 

Send check donations payable to: EcoAction Arlington, 3308 S. Stafford Street, Arlington, VA 22206.

ON THE CALENDAR  
EcoAction Arlington Upcoming Events & Opportunities

APR 11 | In person signature event
Earth Day Cleanup
10:00AM-12:00PM @Lubber Run Park

A not-to-be-missed annual event! Join us to pick up trash and debris at a local Arlington park to keep pollution from getting into our waterways!

APR 20 | In person event
Climate Week Coffee Kickoff
Hosted by EcoAction Arlington
8:00-9:30 AM @Lubber Run Community Center

Start your morning with purpose! Whether you are a local business leader, volunteer, nonprofit leader, professional working in environment stewardship and climate action, or a resident passionate about Arlington’s future, we invite you to join EcoAction Arlington for a morning of networking and practical climate solutions. Stop by anytime between 8:00 to 9:30 a.m. and stay as long as you can for networking and ongoing opportunities to see a demonstration of the GetGreen App. From 8:30 to 8:50 a.m., we will have a brief program featuring remarks from local leaders and business representatives.

APR 23 | In person signature event
8th Annual EcoExtravaganza
6:00-8:00PM @Clare & Don's Beach Shack, Falls Church

Don't miss our biggest celebration of the year! Come savor delectable bites on the back patio of Clare & Don's Beach Shack while supporting our mission and sustaining our environment. Tickets are $40; students are free. Sponsorships are available and help impact our mission. Thank you to our sponsors Dominion and Amazon.

Senior Experience
Calling All High School Seniors!
Open for Spring 2026. Apply by April 15.

EcoAction Arlington is looking for high school seniors who wish to complete their Senior Experience working with us to bring attention to environmental issues. Interns will work with other seniors to run an Energy Carnival for elementary students. Seniors will publicize the program availability to teachers and staff, deliver presentations, organize supplies, and document program accomplishments. The internship period is 30 hours a week, lasting from three to four weeks. There is flexibility for seniors who want to complete this project from May 11 to June 12, 2026. Seven positions are available. To apply, email a cover letter and resume to Eden Clymire Stern, Outreach and Communications Assistant, at eden@ecoactionarlington.org

MAY 07 | Online webinar
The Future of Sustainable Transit in Northern Virginia
7:00-8:30 PM @Virtual

Come join experts from Northern Virginia to learn about local and regional transit initiatives, opportunities, and challenges to create an even more convenient, connected, and sustainable transportation network. This webinar will be moderated by Stewart Schwartz, Executive Director of Coalition for Smart Growth. Sponsors include Coalition for Smart Growth, EcoAction Arlington, Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions, Sierra Club Potomac River Group, and Sustainable Mobility for Arlington County. Registration required for the Zoom link.

EcoAction Arlington In The Community

A small group of dedicated volunteers helped to collect and tally trash in Arlington Mill and Four Mile Run on March 20. Thank you to all who showed up to help!

EcoAmbassadors were in the community to talk about climate action and conservation tips. If you'd like to have them talk with your group, find more information on our website.

On March 11, we held our 48th Annual meeting. Thank you to Katie Heffner of Rare for her talk on Changing Behaviors to Address Climate Change, Matt De Ferrante, Arlington County Chair for his welcoming remarks, all our attendees and exhibitors: Arlington Initiative to Rethink Energy (AIRE), Arlington County Department of Environmental Services , Arlington Forestry, Arlington Tree Connection, Bikes for the World, Defensores de la Cuenca, EcoAmbassadors, Virginia Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Program, Potomac Riverkeeper Network, Quiet Clean NOVA, Potomac River Group Sierra Club, and thank you to Harris Teeter for sponsoring the event.

SPOTLIGHT

Meet Maria, Program Manager

Martinez Bustamante joined the EcoAction Arlington team as Program Manager, leading community-based initiatives that promote sustainability, environmental stewardship, and climate action. She develops and manages programs that engage residents, volunteers, and corporate partners in hands-on activities such as stream cleanups, waste reduction campaigns, and environmental education. Maria holds a master’s degree in Sustainability, with a focus on global food policy and agri-food systems management. She is also a certified climate action facilitator through Climate Fresk. Passionate about connecting people to the environment and food production, Maria is especially dedicated to youth education and fostering a deeper understanding of sustainable food systems. She brings this passion to life through her love of gardening and her commitment to creating spaces where communities can learn, grow, and take meaningful climate action together.

SUSTAINABILITY TIP

Washing your vehicle in the driveway causes soap and pollutants to wash into storm drains, flowing directly into local waterways and harming aquatic life. To protect waterways, use a commercial car wash, which sends dirty water to treatment systems where pollutants are removed and water is recycled. 

Join the Getgreen Arlington By The Numbers Earth Month contest to take action for a greener and more sustainable community. Complete eco-friendly activities to earn leaves, learn about sustainability and climate action in Arlington, compete for prizes and make a lasting impact on our community. 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. 
• APR 8 | 4–6 PM | One Planet, Shared Voices @George Mason University, Spiritual and Interfaith Center. Hosted in collaboration with GMU’s Student Environmental Justice Alliance, leaders from diverse faith backgrounds will explore how spirituality, environmentalism, and environmental justice intersect in our communities.
• APR 18 | 7-11 AM | 5TH Annual ALX Dog Walk & Sustainability Festival @Oronoco Bay Park.  Alexandria is teaming up with the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria for music, games, and tons of fun! Register or give to an individual walker or team here.

• APR 26 | 11 AM-5 PM | Langston’s Earth Day Festival @Lee Heights Shops. This family friendly event has something for everyone. Enjoy the work of Local Art Vendors, Live Music, Kids Activities Center, Local Food and Beverage offerings and more! Click the link for more information.

COMMUNITY NEWS

• Early Voting for the April 21 Special Election for a Proposed Constitutional Amendment is underway at Courthouse Plaza, 2100 Clarendon Blvd, Suite 320. All registered voters in Arlington are eligible to vote in this special election.
• Get ready, gardeners. The Spring Native Plant Sale is now taking pre-orders. Grow Native and upgrade your yard for local birds and butterflies.
• Join VA Conservation Network on April 24, 10:30 am to 12:30 pm,  for a discussion led by environmental experts to hear about the biggest victories, missed opportunities, and surprise outcomes during the 2026 General Assembly session. This public event is open to anyone interested in learning which environmental bills are becoming Virginia law. Register here.
• In 2021, Virginia passed a law that requires food vendors to stop using expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam products. Vendors with 20 or more locations were required to stop using EPS by July 1, 2025. All other food vendors must stop using EPS by July 1, 2026. For further details, including alternatives to EPA visit the Arlington County website. For more resources, visit Clean Virginia Waterways Foam Free webpage.

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