TMDL. No, it’s not some newfangled programming code, but an acronym you’re likely to be hearing quite often nonetheless in the days–and years–to come. Tonight, you’ll have a chance to learn what one local jurisdiction, Fairfax County, is doing to help establish its part of the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for the Chesapeake Bay. 

The County will hold a public meeting to address its role in development of the complex EPA initiative, which would set restrictions on nutrient and sediment pollution throughout a 64,000-square-mile watershed that includes six states and the District. A regulatory tool of the federal Clean Water Act, the Chesapeake Bay TMDL will be backed by a series of accountability measures to ensure compliance.

In a letter to the Water Protection Division, EPA Region III, the chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, Sharon Bulova, offers the board’s input for development of the TMDL. Stating that Fairfax County is the most populated local jurisdiction in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, with “…a long history of progressive environmental management,” she notes, “…we are following with great interest recent developments at the federal level to increase the pace of efforts to restore the Chesapeake Bay.”

As cited in Bulova’s letter, the Chesapeake Bay Protection and Restoration Executive Order (signed by President Obama in May 2009) is helping create a new era of federal leadership in restoring the Bay. Both Senate and House legislation being considered could help set standards for stormwater management to facilitate consistency across state and local lines. 

Noting how “Improvements can and should be made in how urban and suburban stormwater is managed,” Bulova includes a caveat that “Goals should be realistic and attainable, focusing on parameters reasonably within the control of local governments and organizations to influence.” 

To learn more about the “ABC’s” of the TMDL, read the full letter and/or attend the public meeting tonight, Monday, Dec. 14 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Falls Church High School’s Little Theater, 7521 Jaguar Trail, Falls Church, Virginia.

Zoo Lights is a festive annual tradition held at the National Zoo for the holidays. The entire zoo is decorated with colorful lights in animals shapes. Part of the fun is just being in the Zoo at night when it is usually closed.

The event runs from December 4th through the 13th (Friday – Sunday nights) and December 18th through January 2nd (every night) from 6:00-8:30pm.

In addition to the exiting light displays, the Zoo will also feature keeper talks and live music. You can even access the small mammal house, great ape house, reptile discovery center, think tank and the kids’ farm.

If you were curious, the displays at Zoo Lights are made of all LED lights that use 90% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs.

See the full calendar of special events and buy tickets ($5 for FONZ members, $8 for non-members) by visiting the Zoo Lights website. Your ticket purchase benefits the Zoo’s animal research and conservation efforts.

Photo Credit: National Zoo website

Cash for carpooling? Getting commuters to go green as they earn some green is the purpose of the ‘Pool Rewards program launched last week by Commuter Connections.

A program of the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board at the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, Commuter Connections is hoping to alleviate traffic and pollution by incenting carpoolers in three of the metro area’s most congested corridors.

The three-month pilot program offers a cash incentive of one dollar each way to carpoolers traveling both ways on any of the following routes during the morning and evening rush hours: I-395 from the District across the 14th St. Bridge into northern Virginia, the Capital Beltway from Bethesda to Tysons Corner, and the Beltway from the Baltimore-Washington Parkway to I-270.

‘Pool Rewards is modeled on Atlanta’s successful Cash for Commuters program, which coaxed more than 29,000 drivers out of their cars by the end of its first five years, saving 32.8 million vehicle miles traveled. In addition, 64 percent of participants continue to use commuting alternatives at least once per week, now that the cash reward program has ended.

OK, so ‘Pool Rewards only offers a dollar each way. Not even enough for a coffee – let alone a latte – these days, but better than nothing nonetheless. Although an extra $10 per week won’t make anyone rich, it just may help commuters be more aware of the benefits to the environment and their health (less pollution and less stress).

Funded by the District, Maryland, Virginia and U.S. Departments of Transportation, Commuter Connections promotes ridesharing and other alternatives to drive-alone commuting, provides ridematching for carpools and vanpools, and offers the free Guaranteed Ride Home program (for unexpected emergencies).

Interested in carpooling and earning some green for your eco-efforts? Register for ‘Pool Rewards at www.commuterconnections.org

Photo Credit: Flickr CC User thosalumpagus’

You’re never too young (or old) to learn about the environment. Last week, the District celebrated the third annual School Garden Week where students of all ages (including those of us not technically in school anymore) participated in a variety of educational and fun events.

A program of the DC Environmental Education Consortium, DC School Garden Week is about celebrating and building awareness of the District’s school gardens. Approximately 80 DC schools have various types of gardening projects which provide wildlife habitat, absorb stormwater runoff, and beautify schoolyards – in addition to helping students cultivate respect for the environment.

Among the events in which educators and the public could participate were a lecture on starting a school garden and a screening of a student-made documentary about local efforts to improve school lunches.

DC School Garden Week ran through Saturday, October 10 and culminated in a DC Schoolyards Tour that highlighted five school gardens – all of which have diverse teaching purposes. Those seeking inspiration for starting their own school gardens learned firsthand how “outdoor classrooms” are easily integrated into the teaching curriculum. And those just wanting to see how some DC school gardens grow opted for a bike tour.

For more information, visit The DC School Garden Week site.

Photo Credit: Flickr CC User Red Colander

The Green Festival arrives in DC on October 10 & 11. For all of us resident tree-huggers, the Green Festival is a great chance to learn a little more about reducing our carbon footprint and try lots of free organic samples.

On October 9, CarbonfreeDC is hosting the Green Festival pre-party du jour, with proceeds benefitting their Extreme Green Neighborhood Makeovers. If you aren’t familiar with CarbonfreeDC’s green makeover project, they won a grant from National Geographic back in July to help 20 deserving DC families reduce their utility bills and live greener. Since receiving the grant, CarbonfreeDC has already renovated 9 of the 20 homes in Deanwood & Shaw. The money raised at their Extreme Green Gala will help them make even bigger improvements on these homes.

The Extreme Green Gala is a significant environmental gathering. CarbonfreeDC has landed the top international climate expert from the World Wildlife Fund and the Director of the District Department of the Environment to speak at the event. The Secretary of the Environmental Protection Agency is recording a message for attendants as well. There will be music, organic food a $5 bar and environmental art from a local school.

If you’re looking to network and contribute to a great cause, pick-up tickets for the Extreme Green Gala today. I’ll see you there! http://www.carbonfreedc.org/extreme-green-gala.html

In just over a week, Compassion Over Killing and the Vegetarian Society of D.C. are sponsoring DC VegFest, a celebration of all things vegetarian in the nation’s capital.  The free outdoor festival will have live music, delicious veggies, cooking demos and inspiring speakers.  Check it out!

• Anthony Flint on Wrestling with Moses
• Tuesday, August 11^th
• 7pm
• Politics and Prose

Photo Credit: Flickr CC User swisscan

• First on 1^st Art and Music Walk
• Saturday, August 1^st
• Noon – 4:00
  
• Begin at:
  • Big Bear Café, 1700 1^st St NW
  • Windows Café, 101 Rhode Island Ave NW

The Capital Fringe Festival is hosting a funny take on the “green movement” tomorrow at 612 L St. NW at 10:00pm. “It’s Not Easy Being Green” stars five playwrites who share their humorous takes on the ups and downs of living an eco-friendly lifestyle.

Definitely worth checking out!

For more information check out the Fringe Festival Website

Photo Credit: Flickr CC User purpleslog