JANUARY 2026

"I care about the environment & the climate because I care about human & planetary well being. Those are the same thing in my view. We are standing up for justice & for sustainability. There can be no climate justice without social justice"- Greta Thunberg. 

Happy New Year! As Greta says we care about human and planetary well being and look forward to deepening our roots in the community and working together in action for a better Arlington and better world. Thanks to the generous support of our community we came very close to our $50,000 goal. We are starting off 2026 strong and look forward to caring for our environment together with your support. Please join us at one of our upcoming events, bring along a friend or two and help us spread our roots in the community.

ON THE CALENDAR
EcoAction Arlington Upcoming Events  & Opportunities

JAN 13|Signature Event
Volunteer Social
5:30-7:30PM @545 15 St S

Make a green resolution in 2026! Join us to mix and mingle with community members who share your passion for our environment. Learn about how you can get involved in caring for our environment in 2026. Free. Light refreshments will be served. Registration required.

JAN 14|Deadline
Spring 2026 Tree Planting
Apply online @website

Free Trees! Apply to have a tree planted on your property. All private property in Arlington is eligible to have a native tree planted on the property through EcoAction Arlington's Tree Planting Program. Applications are open until January 14th, 2026!

JAN 19|Event
MLK Day of Service
8:30AM-12:00PM @ Washington-Liberty H.S.

We will discuss native trees, the free tree program and do tree trivia followed by writing heartfelt thank you notes to tree recipients, supporters, and donors. Let's celebrate community, honor generosity, and deepen the roots of connection. Free, family friendly, registration required. Register on Volunteer Arlington's website.

JAN 26|OpportunityDeadline
Join Our Board
apply online @website

EcoAction Arlington seeks passionate board members representing the full diversity of Arlington County to support our mission. Interested individuals should submit an expression of interest form by January 26, 2026 5:00 PM. Find more details and apply on our website.

FEB 12|Event
Rooted In Community Luncheon
11:30AM @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. Sponsorships available. Early bird in effect until 1/27/26 RSVP by Feb 10.

FEB 18|Online Talk
Climate Action in Arlington: Looking Ahead for 2026
7:00 PM @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. RSVP on our website coming soon

EcoAction Arlington is currently hiring for four open positions. We're excited to bring on new members to our team to support our mission to create a sustainable Arlington community. Open positions include the following: Program Manager, Development and Administrative Coordinator, Ebike Program Coordinator, and Tree Ambassador. Details and application instructions are available on our website

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

Meg Kross Lee is a longtime fundraising professional who has shifted her focus to volunteer work where she can contribute directly to the resilience and sustainability of her community. After a 20-year career helping nonprofits understand their donors, strengthen their programs, and make thoughtful, data-informed decisions, she is now dedicating her time to volunteering with Arlington-based organizations for the greatest local impact. Meg believes EcoAction Arlington plays a vital role in improving our natural environment, encouraging environmentally-friendly behaviors, ensuring environmental justice, and addressing the climate crisis. In particular, Meg is drawn to the programs EcoAction Arlington offers to engage with the planet at a hyperlocal level, like the Tree Canopy Equity Program. Outside of volunteering, Meg enjoys being outdoors, traveling, and spending quality time with family and friends - activities that deepen her passion for community connection and reinforce her commitment to caring for the places and people close to home

SUSTAINABILITY TIP

Air-sealing your house and other measures to improve the thermal envelope can help you save money and reduce your house's carbon footprint.

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

• Invasive species removal: Please check this link for AIRE events in January.
• JAN 13|Reducing Food Loss and Waste: A Food Systems Perspective from 9:30-11:00AM. Click here for more information.
• JAN 23|Keystone Plants for the Home Landscape from 10-11:30AM presented online by Extension Master Gardener Elaine Mills with Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia. Register here.
• JAN 30|Hydroponic Vegetable Gardening from 10:00-11:30AM. A virtual event with Extension Master Gardener Joe Larsen. Register here.

COMMUNITY NEWS

• The Chesapeake Community Modeling Program (CCMP) is accepting presentation and poster 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.

• The credit application period is open through January 31, 2026. You can apply through the County's Request Service/Report a Problem tool anytime. Have questions? Find helpful credit resources by visiting arlingtonva.us/stormwaterutilitycredit.
• The Potomac Conservancy recently rated the Potomac River  a “B” for water quality. A remarkable improvement from its previous “D” rating.