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DECEMBER 2025
The days are growing shorter, the temps are dropping; darkness has taken over most of our days! Yet, winter solstice will be here soon and the light will return. Remember that through the darkness, you can strike a match to light your way. EcoAction Arlington keeps a candle burning for the care and improvement of our environment. We thank you for all your support throughout 2025 and look forward to working in the community, together in action, in 2026. However you may celebrate the season, we wish you an abundance of light and joy!
Mark Your Calendar
December 10 | Volunteer Opportunity @1PM
Help promote our tree planting efforts and clean up litter as part of our overall initiative to address tree inequity in the neighborhoods that need them most. Individuals, groups and families welcome. The recommended age for youth participants is 10+. This event will take place on Wednesday 12/10 from 1:00-3:00PM in Glencarlyn (rescheduled from 12/2 Giving Tuesday).
Join us on Tuesday, January 13 from 5:30-7:30PM at Amazon Visitor Landing, 545 15 St S, to mix and mingle with community members who share your passion to care for our environment and learn how you can get involved in 2026! Registration required.
Help us grow the tree canopy in our community by putting roots in the ground and planting trees on your private property. Apply now online through January 14, 2026. Quantities are limited. Apply early to increase your chance of receiving your preferred tree species.
Let’s plant seeds of gratitude and grow a stronger, greener community—Volunteers will write and design heartfelt thank you notes to tree recipients, supporters, and donors to celebrate community, honor generosity, and deepen the roots of connection. Family friendly. Free. 8:30AM-noon at Washington Liberty H.S. Registration on the Volunteer Arlington site.
Save the Date: February 12 | Rooted in Community Luncheon @11:30AM
A celebration of our first three years increasing tree canopy in Arlington in 13 target neighborhoods, 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. More details coming soon!
CALL FOR STORIES: START WITH WHAT YOU LOVE
EcoAction Arlington is seeking stories about your personal connection to our environment and how and why you protect what you love. Share a personal climate action story about how you protect what you love by connecting with nature, taking sustainable actions, getting involved in community projects, or supporting local organizations (or share a climate action story about someone you admire). Your personal stories are powerful and help make the issue of climate change relatable and inspiring for others in our community. By sharing your experience, you can help motivate your neighbors and build a stronger, more resilient Arlington together.
Social Media: Post with #TakeEcoActionArlington and don't forget to tag @ecoactionarlington!
Stories should be no more than 300 words, they may be edited and shared on our social media, website, and mailings in order to inspire others to come together in action, and to be rooted in community.
EcoAction Arlington In the Community
engaging our community in caring for our environment
Congratulations to the inaugural class of EcoAmbassadors who completed training on November 5. They will be helping neighbors in Arlington County and the City of Alexandria commit to personal climate action activities that will make our neighborhoods and homes healthier and more livable. EcoAmbassadors is a program jointly managed by EcoAction Arlington and the Virginia Cooperative Extension. We were so pleased to haveTakis Karantonis, Jennifer Fioretti and Sarah Bagley join our graduation ceremony at the Arlington Economic Development building.
SUSTAINABILITY TIP
The Center for Biological Diversity offers sustainable tips and resources to simply the holidays, visit their website here.
Find more sustainability tips on the Getgreen Arlington app with climate action challenges, tips, and local community engagement opportunities. Download 'GetGreen Arlington' on the App Store or Google Play.
AROUND ARLINGTON
Environmentally Focused Community Events
12/13| Weather and Climate Communications: Challenges and Solutions at11:00 AM, free, virtual. The presentation will highlight key barriers and present strategic ideas to make climate and weather messages more engaging and actionable without sacrificing the science. Register here.
12/16|The People Behind the Panels from 7:00-8:00PM, virtual. Join Solar United Neighbors for solar stories, inspiration, and action! You’ll learn more about today’s energy system, be encouraged to consider your own relationship to energy, and be inspired by fellow solar supporters who have taken action to go solar. Register here.
12/17| Deep Dive: Watersheds in Winter from 7:00-8:00 PM, Adults. Virtual. A virtual talk to explore how snow, ice, and road salt impact water quality and learn simple actions you can take to protect your watershed during the colder months. Registration Required.
Through December 21| Low Residential Study Virtual Open House
Did you miss the County’s virtual Q&As or in-person open house meetings? You can still learn more about the Low Residential Study. Click through the virtual open house materials; including text, diagrams, charts, and other graphics to learn what Arlington is evaluating to limit impervious area in low-density residential neighborhoods, improve stormwater management, and create more space for trees.
12/27| Fort Scott Park Invasive Plant Removal Monthly Event, 9:00-11:00AM. Help save trees by removing pesky invasives. Tools and gloves provided. Register if you want to be notified of any change in schedule, including weather cancellations.Register here.
1/15| Understanding and Protecting Resource Protection Areas, 12:00- 1:00PM, Free, Virtual. A lunch time session to learn about Resource Protection Area (RPA) and how to protect RPA on your property. You will also learn about the recent ordinance updates and what they may mean for home improvement projects on your property. The session will be recorded and posted online. More information.
1/27| Pond Life: Winter Edition11:00AM to 12:00PM, Long Branch Nature Center, 625 S Carlin Springs Rd. Families. Our ponds may be frozen, but they're still full of life. Come learn about our winter pond dwellers, and find out where the critters you don't see in winter have gone. Dress for the weather. Registration Required.
COMMUNITY NEWS
The stormwater utility credit application period is now open through January 31, 2026. Apply through the County's Request Service/Report a Problem tool anytime. Find helpful credit resources at arlingtonva.us/stormwaterutilitycredit. Take the pre-screening survey to see if you will qualify for credit before sending in an application: Take the Survey.
Many federal home energy tax credits are set to expire on Dec. 31. If you are planning any clean energy upgrades it's time to get them done asap!
The Sierra Club Potomac River Group is pleased to announce the continuation of the successful Mini-Grant program with a new call for Mini-Grant applications. The Mini-Grants are available for new projects that will further the Sierra Clubs mission of environmental sustainability and climate health. Proposals for Mini-Grants should not exceed $500. Applications can be submitted at any time and will be reviewed as soon as possible after submission. They are especially interested in new, creative ideas for environmental advocacy or education projects that engage members of the larger community and lead to significant new projects, programs or policies. Projects benefiting the local area covered by the Potomac River Group of the Sierra Club (Arlington, Alexandria, and Falls Church) will be prioritized, although local residency is not a requirement. Projects should be completed within one year. Grants cannot be used to advocate for or against any candidate for elective office.
To apply, please request the application from Paul Kaplowitz at pkaplowi@gmail.com, Barbara Swart at barbara@helmets.org. Any questions and completed applications should be sent to these two email addresses.
STAND is a nonprofit that connects students to opportunities that inspire environmental stewardship, community projects and research publication to art and writing and also provide a forum to express their findings and perspectives. Students in high school or college can also bring a STAND chapter to their school and become a STAND Student Ambassador. If interested, visit joinstand.org and browse the volunteer opportunities, visit the activities page and take policy action, learn about new topics and apply for the ambassador program in the internships section!
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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