Residents and businesses are encouraged to download the app and begin exploring its features today. Every small step you take—from completing challenges to participating in competitions—not only protects what we love from climate change, but strengthens Arlington’s position as a climate-conscious leader.
Together, we can make Arlington a shining example of sustainable living and climate leadership.
Build Your Own Rain Barrel Workshop
May 31 | 12 p.m. As part of a regional initiative, NVSWCD offers build-your-own rain barrel workshops where you'll learn how to install and maintain a rain barrel and take one home.
Registration is required and closes 3-4 days prior to the event. The fee per barrel is $55 for build-your-own workshops, $80 per barrel for pre-made distribution events. Rain barrels hold approximately 50 gallons. To register, visit the NVSWCD Registration page.
Aldersgate United Methodist Church. 1301 Collingwood Rd., Alexandria 22308
Native Plant Butterfly Talk and Walk
Saturday, May 31, 2025 | 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM. Families. What are our native species of butterflies and moths? How do the caterpillars survive and what host foods do they need? We'll see pictures and learn all about butterflies and moths from a lepidopterist. Then, we'll pass out butterfly nets and walk around the park to see what we can find! Registration Required.
Longbridge Park, 475 Long Bridge Drive, 22202
What's in the Water?
Sunday, June 01, 2025 | 04:00 PM - 05:00 PM. Ages 8 to 12. Join a naturalist to test water chemistry with kits and look for aquatic invertebrates. We'll also look for turtles, fish, frogs and snakes in the pond and stream. Registration Required.
Long Branch Nature Center, 625 S Carlin Springs Rd, 22203
Irrigation Uncovered: Drip Irrigation for Above-Ground Gardeners
Friday, June 6, 2025, 10:00 - 11:30 a.m., ONLINE. Are you tired of hand watering the pots on your patio or your vegetable garden? Do you strive to maximize your garden’s beauty and bounty while minimizing your use of water? Drip irrigation is the answer to your problems. Join Extension Master Gardener Stephanie Halcrow to dive deep into the topic, reviewing the various types of irrigation and learning all you need to know to design, install, and maintain your own system. As a bonus, this class will incorporate aspects of therapeutic horticulture to maximize your enjoyment of your garden. Note: This class will not cover lawn sprinkler systems. Free. RSVP at http://mgnv.org/rsvp-for-public-education-classes/ to receive a link to participate.
ContainerGardening with Native Plants
Friday, June 20, 2025, 10:00 - 11:30 a.m., ONLINE. Gardeners with planting space limited to patios, decks, or balconies can still create miniature habitats for pollinators and birds by incorporating native plants. Join Extension Master Gardener Elaine Mills to learn which plant species are suitable for use in containers while providing the best wildlife support. She will offer tips on containers, soil, and plant maintenance and illustrate a wide variety of attractive plant combinations, using ferns, grasses, sedges, perennials, and even small shrubs. Free. RSVP at http://mgnv.org/rsvp-for-public-education-classes/ to receive a link to
participate.
Grandma's Creek Invasive Plant Removal
Saturday, June 14, 2025 | 09:30 AM to 11:30 AM. Join us at Grandma's Creek to Improve habitat, meet fellow do-gooders, get exercise, and learn about native plants and wildlife all while making a difference in the great outdoors! Adults, teens, and families ages 8 and up. Registration requested for planning purposes.
Grandma's Creek, 413 S. Pershing Dr., Arlington, VA, 22204
Families. Come celebrate summer’s natural night lights as we learn about these bioluminescent beetles. Activities include: bug hunts, games, crafts, walks, and talks about fireflies. Bring a picnic blanket as we wait for sunset and the natural lights to come out. Cancelled if raining.
Families. We will use fishing rods, hooks and worms to catch fish in the creek near Huffman Falls. All materials provided, but participants are welcome to bring their own gear. Participants ages 15 and under don’t need a fishing license, for ages 16 and above a license is required. Registration Required. Glencarlyn Park, 301 S Harrison St, 22204,
Native Butterfly Talk and Walk
Sunday, June 29, 2025 | 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Families. What are our native species of butterflies and moths? How do the caterpillars survive and what host foods do they need? We'll see pictures and learn all about butterflies and moths from a lepidopterist. Then, we'll pass out butterfly nets and walk around the park to see what we can find! Registration Required.
Long Branch Nature Center, 625 S Carlin Springs Rd, 22203
Journey of the Eels Campfire
Friday, August 01, 2025 | 05:00 PM to 06:00 PM
Families. The whole family is invited to join us at the Gulf Branch fire ring for lots of old-fashioned fun. This engaging program will be filled with entertaining activities that may include stories, special animal guests, games, songs and of course, S’mores! (We will provide the marshmallows, chocolate & graham crackers). Registration Required.
Gulf Branch Nature Center, 3608 N Military Rd, 22207
Only Rain Down the Drain!
Polluted stormwater runoff is the number one cause of water pollution in Northern Virginia. Please pick up the dog stuff, recycle used motor oil, and don’t over fertilize your lawn.
A significant portion of Arlington County’s residents are renters. The County's AIRE team recognizes the complexities associated with incorporating energy efficiency measures into leased homes. To assist renters of all types, we have curated resources that guide renters in adopting environmentally friendly practices within their apartments, condos, houses and other dwellings. Check out these resources.
Sustainable Landscape Services
If you are looking for a sustainable landscape designer or installer, consider hiring someone with the Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional Certification. The Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional (CBLP) Certification is a voluntary credential system for professionals who design, install, and maintain sustainable landscapes. The credential training and examination are based on a core set of standards in sustainable landscaping emphasizing stormwater best practices and conservation landscaping with native plants to benefit the environment.
Do you hire a company to take care of your lawn? Landscaping companies registered with the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation as Green & Clean Landscapers agree to follow landscaping practices that will reduce the amount of fertilizer runoff into our streams and rivers. Such practices include testing the soil for nutrient content before applying any fertilizer, adhering to caps on the amount of nitrogen applied to grass throughout the year, sweeping up any fertilizer that lands on hard surfaces such as sidewalks and driveways, and recycling grass clippings back into the soil. Learn more about the program and see the full list of companies on the Green & Clean registry.
If you contract with a landscaping company that uses your County-provided collection services to dispose of yard waste, you are responsible for coordinating with your contractor to ensure that any yard waste is placed in your County-provided yard waste cart, paper bags, bundles or household containers and set out for collection after 5 p.m. on the day prior to your service day. Your contractor may not set out yard waste in plastic bags for collection. Plastic isn't compostable and won't be collected. Only biodegradable paper yard waste bags will be collected.
Turn Your Yard into a Wildlife Sanctuary!
Would you like to turn your garden into a welcoming space for birds, butterflies and other native wildlife and help enhance the value of our urban green spaces? Get free advice on how to make your yard more wildlife friendly! The Audubon at Home Wildlife Sanctuary certification program assists homeowners in restoring their home’s natural habitat by providing information on sustainable gardening practices. These practices include using native plants, removing invasive species, reducing use of pesticides and fertilizers, and creating space for native flora and fauna.
Audubon at Home ambassadors will visit and consult with you on suitable native plants, landscaping, water retention, or other best practices. To learn more about the program in Arlington or Alexandria, please visit audubonva.org to learn more. If you have additional questions, please contact Alda Krinsman or Alyssa Ford Morel. Volunteer ambassadors will arrange a site visit and talk with you about ways to enhance habitat in your garden.
Take the Guess Work Out of Choosing Native Plants for Your Yard!
Maybe you know a little about native plants and how they are important for the ecological functioning of our landscapes, including assisting our sagging populations of butterflies and other pollinators. Maybe you know nothing about natives and just want some new ideas for beautifying your landscaping. Whatever your goal and whatever your knowledge level, the Plant Nova Natives website includes terrific, picture-filled, and easy to follow information that will help you choose native species that are suited to your property and available at local nurseries. On the website, you will find a colorful guide to local native species, a list of local businesses that supply natives, and links to organizations that will come to your property and offer customized landscaping recommendations.
Tree Care Resources
Concerned about your trees? The maintenance of medium to large trees is best left to qualified arborists both in terms of evaluating the need, and applying the treatment. While well executed pruning can sometimes reduce the risk of failure, poorly executed pruning can increase the risk. For a list of certified arborists in this area:
Trees fallen onto public property during a storm? For all emergencies, call 911. This includes downed power lines, fallen trees that are blocking major streets and safety issues that need immediate attention.
All trees that fall on private property become the responsibility of the owner, regardless of their original location.
Downed power lines from tree failure? Stay clear of downed power lines and downed trees in their vicinity, even if you believe that the lines are dead or have been de-energized by the power company. Lines can become re-energized as circuits are restored or come into contact with live lines. Don’t assume that lines have been de-energized just because a power company crew has visited the site.
Call Dominion Energy at 1-866-366-4357. Trees on power lines are by state law the domain of the utility company. As soon as power lines are removed from trees or made safe, the owner of the property can work to remove the tree.
