Are you passionate about climate and environmental issues? Make a difference as a Sierra Club volunteer! We have many possible roles for volunteers. Right now, we’re looking for volunteers to work with us at public events by sharing their experience with home electrification – adding heat pumps, induction stoves and solar panels to their homes. Whatever your interest, get in touch with us by filling out our Get Involved form.

WHEN: April 6, 1:00 pm  - 5:00 pm

WHERE: DC Armory, 2001 E Capitol St SE, Washington, DC 20003

The Healthy Homes Fair is a one-day event dedicated to showcasing solutions for creating healthy and sustainable living spaces. From energy efficiency and green building practices to healthy home products and resources, the fair will offer something for everyone. By electrifying your home and getting energy from renewable sources you become part of the solution to the climate crisis. Each home and appliance counts, and everyone who makes the transition helps to turn the tide to a healthy future. The fair includes 70+ exhibitors, induction cooking demonstrations, appliance “petting zoo”, and e-bike tasting party.

Register here

WHEN: April 6, 9:00 am - 11:00 am, additional events

WHERE: multiple locations

Join events which empower participants to take action into their own hands. Every small step to protect the planet can make a difference towards a sustainable future.  

Several environmentally focused events are scheduled throughout the month including: 

• Help protect our waterways by volunteering to pick up trash. Join the City’s Stormwater Management Division at a stream clean-up event along Windmill Hill Park on Saturday, April 6. 

• Food Waste Reduction - Tips to Help Prevent Food Waste with T&ES: The Department of Transportation & Environmental Services will explain the importance of reducing food waste and offer techniques and alternatives to throwing out this regenerative resource on April 11. For adults, alexlibraryva.org/event/ 10224890.

• Eco-City Alexandria will host a tree planting, Earth Day proclamation, and an art show of pieces made by students in Alexandria City Public Schools with an Earth Day theme during ‘We are Eco-City Alexandria’ on Saturday, April 13. 

Details here

WHEN: April 7, 11:00 am - 12:30 pm

WHERE: Barcroft Park, 4200 S Four Mile Run Dr, Arlington, VA 22206

Help clean up litter along the Four Mile Run stream! NOVA Cleanups provides all the grabbers and gear for the event. Attention Multi-Family Residential and Non-Residential Property Owners: If your group volunteers and documents 30 hours during stream clean-up event(s), you may earn a discount on next year's Stormwater Utility bill when you submit your information through the credit program.

Register Here 

WHEN: April 11, 9:00 am

WHERE: The Washington Post, 1301 K St NW, Washington, DC 20005 and virtual

Humanity is entering a new climate era. The peril and promise of record-breaking temperatures, unprecedented investments in clean energy, and a growing public recognition of the effects of global warming are shaping the future of the planet. On behalf of The Washington Post, you are invited to This is Climate Summit: Tipping Points, a compelling and high-powered summit at The Post's D.C. headquarters, featuring conversations with political leaders, activists and innovators about the wide-ranging impacts of climate change, the unprecedented investments in clean energy and this critical moment for the planet.

More info

Register here

WHEN: April 13, 10:00 am - 11:00 am

WHERE: Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library, 717 Queen St, Alexandria, VA 22314

The Barrett Branch is hosting an All We Can Save Circle open to all interested in sincere discussion centered on the climate crisis and for those seeking community rooted in wise and just solutions.

WHEN: April 13, 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm, free

WHERE: Arlington Mill Community Center, 909 S. Dinwiddie St., Arlington 22204

Enjoy a variety of crafts, demonstrations, and projects designed to inspire us to live a little greener. Learn from experts on how to grow your own tomato garden or take a hike and remove invasive species growing along Four Mile Run Trail. This is a free community event the whole family will enjoy. Extension Master Gardeners will be there with other organizations to provide information and answer questions. Perfect for all ages! 

Registration Encouraged

More info

WHEN: April 13, 10:00 am

WHERE: Jennie Dean Park, 3630 27th St. S., Arlington VA 22206

Help clean up litter along the Four Mile Run stream and throughout the park! We will be meeting next to the Shirlington Dog Park entrance, on the paved platform beside the bridge and the sign that says “Jennie Dean Park” right off of S. Arlington Mill Drive. Want to Register as a Group? Please email volunteer@ecoactionarlington. org. Attention Multi-Family Residential and Non-Residential Property Owners: If your group volunteers and documents 30 hours during stream clean-up event(s), you may earn a discount on next year's Stormwater Utility bill when you submit your information through the credit program.

Register here

WHEN: April 20, 9:00 am - 11:00 am

WHERE: Gravelly Point Park, George Washington Parkway, Arlington, VA, 22202

Join Potomac Conservancy and National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) for a safe, fun, 50 person trash cleanup at Gravelly Point for Annual Earth Day service. Make a huge difference for the Potomac River as we turn to the water for a safe, healthy place to recreate outdoors. Sign up for one of 50 spots available, which will allow you to make a difference for your hometown river!

Register here

Other events

WHEN: April 20, 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm

WHERE: TBA

Join the City in the celebration of Arbor Day and the City's 46th year of Tree City USA. The location will be announced in late March/early April. We will have a host of speakers to give valuable information on how to expand our Urban Forest. We will be planting the Tree of the Year, Quercus shumardii, or commonly known as the Shumard Oak, selected by the Urban Forestry Commission for its uncommon appearance in the Falls Church landscape, its tolerance for many different soil and water conditions as well as its fall beauty.
More Details

WHEN: April 21, 11:00 am – 5:00 pm

WHERE: 4500 Langston Blvd., Arlington 22205

We can't wait to see you at our 3rd annual Earth Day Every Day Festival. There will be live music, art vendors, local food and more. There will also be a host of educational programming, as we all learn how to better take care of the beautiful planet we call home. Check out the work from dozens of local artists and learn about many of the eco-friendly resources available to Arlington residents.  With food, beverages, live music and more this family friendly event has something for everyone. 

More info

WHEN: April 22, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm 

WHERE: virtual

Join us online to view and discuss two short documentaries from The Story of Stuff envisioning the community health of neighbors helping neighbors. The 4-part series followed the documentary shorts created by the folks at The Story of Stuff to dive deep into our plastic world and explore some of the solutions creatives and ordinary folks are coming up with to nurture a more sustainable and equitable world. This is the last discussion in the series and focuses on planting the seeds of what real recycling could be. We invite you to join with others in the community in a conversation about our dependence on plastic. 

Register here

WHEN: April 25, 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm

WHERE: Clare & Don’s Beach Shack, 130 N. Washington St., Falls Church 22046

EcoAction Arlington’s sixth-annual EcoExtravaganza has a new vibe and venue. Join us at Clare & Don’s Beach Shack. Let’s kick up our heels and wrap up Earth Month with the very best party celebrating our work conserving and protecting waterways and building a more sustainable Arlington community.

Click for more details and to purchase tickets.

WHEN: April 26, 10:00 am - 11:30 a.m, free

WHERE: virtual 

Arbor Day, the annual day in April dedicated to tree planting, is a good occasion to discuss the importance of planting trees and the many reasons for choosing native tree species. Join Extension Master Gardener Elaine Mills to learn details on the characteristics and attributes of 20 native trees with suggestions on their uses in the home landscape. General information on planting, care, and other helpful resources will be provided. 

Register here

WHEN: April 27, 9:00 am - 2:00 pm

WHERE: The Church of Saint Clement, 1701 N. Quaker Ln., Alexandria, VA 22302

Come visit Northern Alexandria's spring native plant sale! At least 10 vendors from VA, MD, PA, and DC will be hosted.

Details here

WHEN: April 28, 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm

WHERE: Chinquapin Park, Chinquapin Dr., Alexandria

Members and friends can join the Sierra Club’s Potomac River Group at the covered pavilion for healthy picnic food and drinks at this zero-waste event. This is a great opportunity to informally meet fellow environmentalists from Arlington, Alexandria, and Falls Church. 

• Ryan Freed, Alexandria’s Climate Action Officer, will introduce himself and be available for informal discussion. 

• Potomac River Group Executive Committee members will answer questions about what the Sierra Club is up to and how to get involved. 

• A walking tour along the Taylor Run Chinquapin Walking Trail will be led by Russell Bailey. Russell was part of a group of citizen scientists who saved this section of Taylor Run from a stream restoration that would have removed about 200 trees.

Registration is requested to help with food planning. Hope to see you there, rain or shine. 

WHEN: Every month, dates vary

WHERE: In every jurisdiction – virtual and in-person
 

Have you ever attended a meeting of your local environmental commission? Meetings are public and it can be a great way to learn about what is going on in your community. Commissions often consider issues of concern and welcome public comment. Click on the links below to find out more about your local commissions. Meeting schedules are provided on the linked websites. The agenda for an upcoming meeting is usually posted several days in advance of the meeting.  

Alexandria Environmental Policy Commission

Arlington Climate Change, Energy and Environment Commission

Arlington Energy Committee

Arlington Forestry and Natural Resources Commission

Falls Church Environmental Sustainability Council

The MeetUp group for Sierra Club Potomac Region Outings (SCPRO) is a special activities section of the Sierra Club Virginia Chapter. The group organizes hikes and other events in Virginia, DC and Maryland. No Sierra Club membership is necessary to participate. SCPRO welcomes all people on a variety of outdoor adventures, nature walks, conservation outings, and exploration of our natural and regional history. Join SCPRO MeetUp here