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.
Full Moon Salamander Search
Friday March 14, 6-7 PM.
Families. Explore the park at night when the moon is full! We will search for salamanders along Long Branch Creek. Dress warmly and bring a flashlight if you have one! Event will take place rain or moon-shine! Long Branch Nature Center. Registration Required.
March 15 E-CARE CANCELED
Due to expected heavy turnout at Wakefield HS for a job fair for federal workers March 15, we've canceled Spring E-CARE 2025, to free up the parking lot. Stay tuned for updates and a possible new date.
Early Spring Wildflower Walk
March 19. 5:30-6:30 PM. Adults. Spring beauties, bloodroot, trout lilies! Even before the last frost, some of our spring wildflowers brave the cold to put on a show. Come take a walk and we’ll discuss the fascinating lifestyle and ecology of these plants. Teens ages 12 and up welcome to attend with a registered adult. Long Branch Nature Center. Registration Required.
March 23, 10 AM - Noon. Adults. This is a pop-in event and no appointment is necessary. Naturalists and gardeners will be ready to guide you in your native plant gardening journey. You can also get help pre-ordering for our Spring Native Plant Sale. Long Branch Nature Center. Registration Not Required. More information.
Rain Barrel Workshop
March 25. 6:30 - 8:00 PM. Build your own rain barrel at this hands-on workshop! Get ready for upcoming rains, have a water source close to your garden and help capture runoff from your roof. If you have two or more rain barrels, you can get a discount on next year's Stormwater Utility bill when you submit your information through the credit program! Pre-registration required. $55 fee covers barrel and supplies. Barcroft Elementary School. 625 S Wakefield St, Arlington, VA
This workshop is part of the regional rain barrel program.
Friends of Urban Agriculture Spring Garden Kickoff
Saturday, March 29, 10:00 a.m., Marymount University, 1000 N. Glebe Rd.,
Arlington FOUA’s Plot Against Hunger 2025 Spring Garden Kickoff will be held in a new location on March 29. Get ready for interesting speakers, thoughtful breakout sessions, workshops, seed and seedling giveaways, partner organization representatives, and lots of great garden chats!
Saturday April 5th, 1-3 PM. Adults. In the spring season the natural world transforms around us in ways that are both subtle and bold. We need only slow down and pay attention. This Forest Bathing program will guide you through woods, by streams and fields where you will be invited to experience the ordinary with your extraordinary senses. We'll finish the experience with snacks and tea. Dress for the weather and the possibility of sitting on the ground or a log. Gulf Branch Nature Center. Registration Required.
W&OD Trail Spring Wildflower Bike Ride
April 15, 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM. Adults. This is the best time of year to explore Arlington's wildflowers and the Washington & Old Dominion trail is a treasure trove. Join us for a leisurely 2 to 4 mile ride along the trail with an experienced naturalist to find these colorful trees and wildflowers in all their brilliance. Please provide your own bike and safety gear. Teens ages 14 and up are welcome to attend with a registered adult. Registration Required.
Four Mile Run Wildlife Bike Ride
April 18. 10:30 AM-12:00 PM. Families. Bring the family for a short, slow-paced ride along Four Mile Run and parts of the W&OD trail in search of turtles, beaver, birds and the many other critters that also use the trail to get around. We'll stops at Sparrow Pond and Four Mile Run to see what is around. Please provide your own bike and safety gear. Registration Required.
Glencarlyn Spring Celebration and Plant Sale
Saturday, April 19, 10:00 - 3:00 p.m., Glencarlyn Demonstration Garden, 300 S. Kensington St. Arlington, 22204
Get ready for Earth Day and Arbor Day at the annual Spring Celebration and Plant Sale at the Glencarlyn Library Garden. An abundance of nature-related activities and products will be available. An educational tree walk will start at 1 p.m. and the Small Trees make Big Canopies program will be giving away saplings during the event. Other event offerings include native plants from Hill House Nursery, locally grown vegetable and fruit starts, and plants propagated from the Library Garden. Other items for sale include handmade pottery, jewelry, recycled bags, decorated boxes, pre-loved gardening books and items, T-shirts, and used books from the Friends of Arlington Libraries. The oldest house in Arlington, the Ball-Sellers House, will be open to visitors. All proceeds will support the Library Garden and Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia. For more information email glencarlynlibrarygarden@gmail.com.
Langston Boulevard Earth Day Every Day Festival
Sunday, April 27, 11 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., 4500 Cherry Hill Road, Arlington 22205
Langston Boulevard Alliance is hosting its 4th annual Earth Day Festival! This family friendly event has something for everyone. There will be live music, art vendors, local food and more. We will also be featuring a host of educational programming as we all learn how to better take care of the beautiful planet we call home. For more information go to: https://www.earthdayonlangston.com/.
Del Ray GardenFest
Sunday, April 27, noon to 4:00 p.m., Colasanto Park baseball field, Commonwealth and Mt. Vernon Avenues, Alexandria
GardenFest is a fun, free, educational afternoon of garden-centric demonstrations, informational booths, and interactive activities. The Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia will be there to assist with gardening and landscaping questions, and there will be free seeds to plant now for spring and summer gardens. GardenFest is hosted by the Del Ray Citizens Association and you can find more information at https://delrayalx.wixsite.com/gardenfest2025.
Spring Native Plant Sale
May 3, 10 AM 0 4 PM. Beautify your garden with a selection of plants that have evolved with the local climate and wildlife. We have native plants for adapted to various conditions. Whether you’re looking to add to your shade or rain garden, we have a plant for you. Pre-order by Friday, April 25 for the best selection. Pick up on Saturday, May 3. See our order form for available plants and information.
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.
