This September, we are not just picking up litter—we are counting every piece to track pollution trends and protect our waterways with our Fall Stream Cleanup as part of the International Coastal Cleanup.
In 2025, according to the Ocean Conservancy, the majority of items recorded were single-use plastics. More than 24,000 pieces of unidentifiable or uncategorized debris items were also recorded. Items identified at previous cleanups include bikes, scooters, underwear, and an animal skull! Scroll down to see how you can help care for our environment and more.
EcoAmbassadors Deadline Extended!
We've heard from some potential EcoAmbassadors that they've had trouble with the application form and so we've extended the deadline to 5:00 PM, Friday September 4. If you've tried to apply and had difficulty, please email kim@ecoactionarlington.org.
Even with recent application troubles, we've had a fantastic response to our EcoAmbassador program with 38 applicants to date. This cohort of EcoAmbassadors will spend one night a week in a six-week formal training program focused on behavior change, learning how to address barriers and objections, and developing talking points around our four pillars: Energy Conservation, Waste Management, Electrification, and Multi-Modal Transportation. The cohort will learn the specifics through online courses and will graduate when they've completed two hands-on practicums out in the community. The EcoAmbassador program is a shared initiative between EcoAction Arlington, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Arlington County, and the City of Alexandria. EcoAmbassadors act as amplifiers for city and county climate action programming by engaging with community members and encouraging residents to take more action to make our neighborhoods and homes healthier and more livable.
Book Now: Speakers Available
Are you passionate about making our community healthier and more sustainable? Would you like to learn how? EcoAmbassadors are available to speak to your group on how to take real action, from electrifying homes to cutting waste using local climate strategies in Alexandria and Arlington. Book a fall session now and let's build a greener future together! Contact kim@ecoactionarlington.org with questions or to schedule your presentation.
ON THE CALENDAR EcoAction Arlington Upcoming Events & Opportunities
SEP 26 | In person **New Date! Annual Fall Stream Cleanup 10:30AM-12:00 PM @Barcroft Park
Our Annual Fall Stream Cleanup & Trash Tally has been rescheduled to Saturday, September 26 (from Saturday, September 19). The event is in partnership with the Ocean Conservancy's International Coastal Cleanup and Clean Virginia Waterways. 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 Sept. 27
Join our Outreach Committee and support EcoAction Arlington's vision for a sustainable Arlington! We would love to have you! The outreach committee meets virtually monthly (third Thursday, 7:00-8:00 pm) to work on ways to expand the organization's ability to share information and resources. Sign up to join even if you can't make the September meeting. Your voice matters!
EcoAction Arlington partnered with Liberty’s Promise, a nonprofit organization that supports immigrant youth across the DMV area, to host a group of D.C. high school students for a week of hands-on environmental education and community service in August. Students participated in a cleanup at Lubber Run, a Climate Education Workshop, composting education and training, and community outreach at the Arlington County Fair. Through these experiences, students gained foundational knowledge of climate action, sustainability, and environmental stewardship while developing valuable transferable skills, including leadership, teamwork, public speaking, community engagement, problem-solving, and interpersonal communication.
We are grateful for the opportunity to support youth development while introducing students to environmental service and potential pathways in sustainability. We greatly value our partnership with Liberty’s Promise and look forward to future opportunities to collaborate.
IN THE COMMUNITY engaging our community in caring for our environment
EcoAction had a great weekend at the Arlington County Fair August 14-16. Thanks to everyone who stopped by our booth to say hello, ask questions, play trivia, and learn about our environment. Shoutout to our amazing team, volunteers, and Liberty Promise students for making it all happen! Thank you Trader Joes for the generous goodie bag donation which was raffled off to one lucky winner.
Mike Li and family pose with their raffle prize, a $300 gift certificate from Strictly E-bikes in Alexandria. Congratulations to the winners and thank you Strictly E-Bikes for donating the raffle prize.
Good food and good times were on the agenda at the EcoAmbassadors information session on August 4 at Rocklands BBQ in Arlington! Nearly 30 potential new volunteers attended to learn how they can engage our neighbors in Arlington and Alexandria in taking climate action. Read more in the ARLnow article.
On a beautiful Sunday in August, EcoAmbassadors were at the Farmers Market at 4-Mile Run in Alexandria educating the community on how to take individual climate action.
EcoAction Arlington offers school & youth group presentations. We’ll bring the excitement of environmental conservation with engaging hands-on presentations to your classroom. From understanding native trees and their benefits to exploring the science behind energy and climate change, our sessions are designed to empower young environmental champions. Available for preschool to 8th-grade students. Visit our website for more information and to sign up.
SUSTAINABILITY TIP
September is ideal for planting native species. The warm soil helps low-maintenance roots establish quickly, enriching the local ecosystem with food and shelter for wildlife. Don't miss Arlington's Native Plant Sale—pre-order by September 19 for pickup on September 26.
Want to do more?
The GetGreen Arlington app has climate action challenges, carbon footprint reduction tips, and local community engagement opportunities.
AROUND ARLINGTON environmentally focused community events
Ongoing | Invasive species removal - Volunteering to remove invasive species and similar opportunities helps care for our environment and can earn you credit towards your Stormwater Utility bill.
Sept 12 | Raptor Rapture– 1:00 PM @Fort Hunt Park, Pavilion A. Great Event for kids! Learn about and get a close-up look at raptors, a family that includes owls, hawks and falcons when Secret Garden Birds and Bees bring live birds to Fort Hunt Park. Free. No registration required. Sponsored by the Friends of Dyke Marsh, the National Park Service and Secret Gardens, Birds and Bees.
Sept 19 | Green Valley Day –12:00–5:00 PM @Dr. Charles R. Drew Community Center. Celebrate 182 years of Green Valley, featuring kids’ activities, live performances, a basketball tournament, a health fair, and local food and retail vendors.
Sept 19 | Fall Festival at Leopold’s Reserve – Join NVCT and White House Farm Foundation for the annual Fall Festival at Leopold's Preserve, representing the best of outdoor recreation and educational opportunities! Browse tables from nonprofit organizations and vendors offering unique goods and native plants for your garden. RSVP.
Oct 4 | Waverly Hills Civic Association Fall Block Party on Sun, Oct 04 @Upton St between 18th and 19th and get to know your Waverly Hills neighbors. There will be music, a bounce house, lawn games, food, and more!
Oct 21-Nov 18 | Understanding and Acting on Climate Change –5-week online course, Wednesdays, 3:30-5:00 pm, October 21-November 18. An engaging, interactive, fast-paced and informative course on the current status of the climate crisis, solutions to address it and the role each of us can play in preserving our planet for future generations. Class size is limited. No fee. Email gloriamog@verizon.net with any questions or concerns. Sponsored by Elders Climate Action, Virginia Chapter. Register online.
Oct 22 | Climate Crisis Forum on Urban Heat Islands – Join Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions on October 22 from 6:15-8:45 PM @Van Metre Hall, George Mason University Arlington for their 10th annual Climate Crisis Forum, which will examine the public health consequences of extreme heat and explore local solutions in Northern Virginia. See the speaker line up and get a ticket. This event will be live-streamed.
The Arlington County Board adopted the Calendar Year (CY) 2026 Stormwater Utility rate at $268 per ERU. Second-half CY 2026 installments are due on October 5.
FACS' Arlington Hub will be introducing a new pilot project, in partnership with EcoAction Arlington, to reach residents through their congregations to take tangible, climate-wise actions, such as improving their home's energy efficiency, planting trees, and reducing stormwater utility fees.
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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SEPTEMBER
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