Info on Eco Alexandria

FROM THE CITY OF ALEXANDRIA: 

Nomination Deadline for Ellen Pickering Environmental Award
Alexandria Green Ideas Challenge
Volunteer for Potomac River Watershed Cleanup
EPA Encourages Americans to Save Water During Fix a Leak Week

Nomination Deadline for Ellen Pickering Environmental Award Deadline is Friday, March 30, 5 p.m.

The City of Alexandria, Environmental Policy Commission, and the Alexandria Sanitation Authority(ASA) seek nominees to the Ellen Pickering Environmental Excellence Award to recognize those who help keep the City green. The Ellen Pickering Environmental Excellence Award is named in honor of Mrs. Pickering, who was dedicated to preservation and conservation in the City throughout her life. To qualify for the award, nominees must be residents of the City of Alexandria. Groups, clubs, organizations and corporations must operate within the City of Alexandria.

You may submit your nomination via the Online Nomination Form. Written submissions are also accepted and should be addressed to the Alexandria Environmental Policy Commission at the following address:

Alexandria Environmental Policy Commission
T&ES, Office of Environmental Quality
Alexandria City Hall
301 King Street, Room 3000
Alexandria, VA 22314

Submissions must include:

• The nominee’s name, address, and telephone number, or the key individual to contact if a nominee is not an individual.
• The name, address, and telephone number of the person nominating the candidate must be included.
• A brief description (not to exceed one page) of the nominee’s accomplishments and qualifications for the Ellen Pickering Environmental Excellence Award.

For more information, visit Alexandria Earth Day 2012 to learn more.

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Alexandria Green Ideas Challenge Deadline March 30

As part of the Eco-City Alexandria initiative, the City has partnered with the Alexandria Environmental Policy Commission, and ACTion Alexandria to launch the Alexandria Green Ideas Challenge.  By March 30, share your ideas for creating a greener, more sustainable community, and the winner will receive $500 in cash prizes and a chance for a $2,000 grant to turn your Green Idea into a reality.

Prizes will be awarded by the Alexandria Green Ideas Challenge panel of judges based upon the number of votes received on ACTion Alexandria and how relevant and actionable an idea is. Winners will be announced on April 18 and also recognized at the City’s Earth Day event on Saturday, April 21 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Ben Brenman Park, 4800 Brenman Park Drive.

For more information, visit ACTion Alexandria Green Ideas Challenge.

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City of Alexandria Seeks Volunteers 24th Annual Potomac Watershed Cleanup
Saturday, April 4, 9:00 a.m. -Noon

The City’s Department of Transportation and Environmental Services (T&ES), Office of Environmental Quality and Solid Waste Division, in conjunction with the Alice Ferguson Foundation, are currently seeking volunteers to join us and others across the region to clean up local streams in the Potomac River Watershed.  The City is hosting three sites:

• 3700 Commonwealth Avenue in Four Mile Run Park
• Four Mile Run at Mt. Vernon Ave
• Eaton Square Clubhouse at 801 Four Mile Rd

Trash and litter have many negative impacts on our quality of life.  It is harmful to wildlife and the environment, and it is an eyesore that impairs the beauty of neighborhoods and decreases property value.  Please RSVP Jesse Maines at jesse.maines@alexandriava.gov to join us at one of the locations or visit the Potomac River Watershed Cleanup for more sites in the City. 

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EPA Encourages Americans to Save Water During Fix a Leak Week - March 12-18

American households waste more than 1 trillion gallons of water each year due to leaky pipes, toilets, showerheads and other fixtures, but fixing leaks can be easy and inexpensive. During the 4th annual Fix a Leak Week, March 12-18, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) WaterSense program is educating Americans about the importance of fixing leaks around the home, which will save water and nearly 10 percent on utility bills.

• Finding and fixing leaks around the home is as easy as: check, twist and replace!
  Check for leaks. Toilet leaks can be found by putting a few drops of food coloring into the tank and seeing if color appears in the bowl before you flush. Don’t forget to also check irrigation systems and spigots.
• Twist and tighten pipe connections. To save even more water without a noticeable difference in flow, twist on a WaterSense labeled faucet aerator or showerhead.
• Replace the fixture if necessary. Look for the WaterSense label when replacing plumbing fixtures, which are independently certified to use 20 percent less water and perform as well as or better than standard models.

More information about finding and fixing leaks: http://www.epa.gov/watersense/fixaleak

More information on WaterSense or to find a retailer in your area that carries WaterSense-labeled products: http://www.epa.gov/watersense