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Dear Providence,
Earth Month is upon us! This is a special time to reflect on our environmental impact, and raise awareness and consciousness around the issues that affect our home. It's increasingly important to observe April as Earth Month as we continue to experience the harmful effects of climate change. Below you will find opportunities to observe Earth Month through events and activities taking place here in Providence and across Fairfax County.
This year's Earth Day theme is Planet vs. Plastics which calls on all individuals, businesses, and governments to unite in combatting plastic pollution and protecting our health.
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As you know, Fairfax County reduces the amount of plastic bags and plastic waste from entering our local waterways, roadways, and open spaces through the plastic bag tax has generated $4.6 million in just two years! The revenue collected budgeted for environmental programs such as Operation Stream Shield, Waste Collection at Commuter facilities, zero waste implementation, compost initiatives at farmers markets, and education. Learn more about the plastic bag tax here.
Lastly, if you missed the budget town hall on April 2, you can watch the recording below and provide your feedback before the budget is finalized on May 7.
With gratitude,
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Celebrate the Earth this Month and Beyond! | |
Providence Earth Day Celebration
You're invited to the Providence Earth Day Celebration on Saturday, April 13 at Kingsley Commons! The morning will be filled with family-friendly activities from County agencies, non-profit organizations, local businesses, and more.
Enjoy educational opportunities, crafts and origami stations, reading tents, ice cream, and "lambmowers"! Additionally, you can drop off your food scraps! Check out the composting guidelines here.
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Explore the I-66 Parallel Trail
Join the Fairfax Alliance for Better Bicycling (FABB) in exploring the new I-66 parallel trail on Saturday, April 13 from Dunn Loring at the Stenwood Elementary School to the Waples Mill Interchange, and back again. The group will stop along the way to explore the interchanges they pass, navigate the detour around Random Hills Park, and return to Dunn Loring Metro for coffee and to discuss the ride!
Helmets required. You will be asked to sign a waiver upon registration.
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Earth Day Festival
Join the largest Earth Day celebration in Fairfax at the Sully Historic Site on Saturday, April 20! Discover how you can make an impact on family, community, and planetary health through fun, hands-on activities, games, live, music, and educational entertainment. Engage your senses with craft beer and tasty local cuisine, a visit with your favorite furry farm friends, and take the obstacle course challenge among more activities!
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Earth Day & Tysons' Birthday
I hope you will join my office, the Hunter Mill Office, Celebrate Fairfax (CFI), and the Tysons Community Alliance (TCA) in celebrating Earth Day and Tysons’ Birthday on Monday, April 22! We have prepared a day full of educational and hands-on activities for all ages. All activities will begin at The PARC at Tysons (8508 Leesburg Pike). Additionally, you can drop off your food scraps. Check out composting guidelines here.
My office has teamed up with a Fairfax County Park Authority expert to take you on a nature and litter pickup walk from 9:30 am to 10:30 am. We hope you can join Team Providence in learning about natural resources at Raglan Road Park while helping clean up the trails.
Can’t make it? Don’t worry! A later cleanup at the Tysons Forest is scheduled for 10:30 am to 12:30 pm, led by TCA and Hunter Mill. Lastly, CFI has beautification projects prepared at The PARC including invasive plant removal.
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PARC in Bloom
Celebrate Fairfax is thrilled to announce their renewed participation in the City in Bloom campaign presented by the National Cherry Blossom Festival! Join them now through April 22 at The PARC at Tysons for a delightful cherry blossom-themed outdoor lounge where you can enjoy your lunch and bask in the sunshine. With complimentary Wi-Fi available, you can even catch up on some work while embracing the beauty of spring.
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6th Annual Mount Vernon District Environmental Expo
The 6th Annual Mount Vernon District Environment Expo will be held Saturday, April 27 at Fort Hunt Park. This free, family-friendly event is designed to educate and inform attendees about the environmental challenges that we face on a daily basis and how we can all act to save our planet.
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Earth Daze
Clean Fairfax and Aslin Beer Company's annual Earth Day celebration returns on Sunday, April 28 with local vendors, face painting, axe throwing, a rock wall, and so much more. Come on out to Aslin Herndon to support the work of Clean Fairfax as they encourage environmental stewardship and urban sustainability in Fairfax County.
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Pedal with Petals
Mark your calendars! Pedal with Petals is returning for its second year on Saturday, May 11. This year’s event will feature an intermediate-advanced ride (start time: 9am), as well as a family/beginner loop (start time: 9:30am). In addition to the ride, other activities will include a bike decorating station, coffee and pastries by The Frothy Mug, free bike tune-ups, face painting, an after-ride ice cream provided by Tysons Creamery, a DJ, and so much more!
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Bike to Work Day
Gear up for Bike to Work Day on Friday, May 17! I hope you can join us at the Jim Scott Community Center pit stop from 7am to 9am to enjoy free coffee, snacks, and other goodies.
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From intentional to unintentional littering, we see it across our county any time of the year.
Thousands of volunteers participate in cleanups each year in all corners of our county. Organize a community cleanup around your school, neighborhood, office building, or any other area in need of beautification.
Clean Fairfax Council can support your effort by providing cleanup supplies. Learn more about the community cleanup program.
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Fairfax County is once again teaming up with the Local Energy Alliance on Solarize Virginia and Solar United Neighbors on Capital Area Solar Switch, two programs that make switching to solar energy a snap. Participants receive a free assessment and quote from a vetted solar installer and a guaranteed discounted rate. It’s free to register and there is no obligation to purchase. Learn more about these solar programs. | |
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Friends of Holmes Run (FOHR) is a non-partisan, all-volunteer organization that supports active stewardship of existing resources and a better balance between the economic and environmental considerations of land use decisions affecting the watershed.
FOHR volunteers seek to protect and restore the Holmes Run watershed through strategic actions, public education, and advocacy. Learn more about FOHR.
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Defensores de la Cuenca (Watershed Defenders) is a Latino-led nonprofit that connects Latin@s and Spanish speakers to nature through shared experiences and opportunities to preserve and defend the Chesapeake Bay watershed for a healthier mind, body, and soul. They are building a network of Latin@ leaders who are taking action to support Madre Tierra, our Mother Earth, by sharing information about the many ways the environment impacts us and how we impact the environment. Learn more about Defensores de la Cuenca. | | | | |
