Happy first day of school to all students and their families! It’s a beautiful day as parents across the City experience that bittersweet moment of watching their kids trek off to school again, another year older. With weather as beautiful as this, it’s a great time to remind ourselves of the many sustainable options available to get the kids to school. Find out if your school has a Bike Bus (if you haven’t experienced an Alexandria Bike Bus, you are missing out on a seriously great morning party). Want to make the bike ride easier? There are a lot of great options for e-bikes that can carry multiple kids with you. You’ll also find the sustainable route to school isn’t just good for the environment; you’ll have more time with your kids, experience more of the neighborhood, see more neighbors, and you’ll get a little exercise, too!

Ryan Freed, Climate Action Officer 

Smart Power Strips Save Energy

Did you know that TVs, game consoles, chargers, and other devices can still draw electricity while switched off? Use smart power strips (look at the label: It may say “Smart Power Strip,” “Advanced Power Strip,” “Tier 1,” “Tier 2,” or “Energy Saving) or unplug electronics when you’re not using them to save energy and money on your utility bill. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that standby power can account for 5–10% of residential energy use and can cost a household up to about $100/year. A smart power strip can automatically cut power to these devices when they’re idle

If you want to learn more tips on how to be more efficient, become an Eco-City Home! Visit Eco-City Homes program’s website to learn more and sign up for the FREE program. 

A new round of Plug In Alexandria is here! Apply today and see how EV chargers can work for your organization. 

One month left to apply! 

Thinking about electric vehicle (EV) chargers at your property? Plug In Alexandria makes it easier and more affordable for multi-unit residential communities, non-profit organizations, and places of worship to install EV chargers. 

Participating organizations get a FREE custom technical assessment from industry experts outlining the requirements, feasibility, and costs to install EV chargers at your site. Organizations that install chargers within one year are eligible for a $10,000 reimbursement grant ($15,000 if you’re located in a low-income community census tract). 

Submit your application by September 21, 2026. 

Visit the Plug In Alexandria website for full program details and the application. 

Why Join the Eco-City Business Program?

Looking for ways to make your business more sustainable while saving money? The Eco-City Business Program is a FREE City of Alexandria program that provides local businesses with technical support, resources, networking opportunities, and recognition for your sustainability efforts. Business owners can learn how to reduce energy and water use, and reduce waste.

The application takes just two minutes! Visit the Eco-City Business webpage and sign up today.

Fairy Rings: A Little Magic in Alexandria’s Parks

Have you ever walked through a park or forest, noticed an almost perfect circle of mushrooms, and wondered, Is this naturally occurring or straight-up witchcraft?

That was me today while walking through Alexandria House Park. I saw this exact pattern, did a deep dive into the science, and learned they’re called fairy rings! While folklore once claimed they were created by dancing fairies, fire-breathing dragons, or witches’ sabbaths, it’s actually a natural phenomenon.

Underneath the soil, a single mushroom organism (mycelium) grows outward in a circular pattern as it searches for fresh nutrients. When it’s ready to sprout, mushrooms pop up along the active outer edge of that underground circle. Over time, these rings can keep expanding for years, sometimes growing up to tens of feet wide turning a simple walk in the park into a tiny lesson in nature’s geometry.

The Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities Department is working to care for and connect Alexandria residents with the city’s parks, recreation programs, and natural spaces. Learn more about their work at the Natural Resources webpage.

Raychel Frye, Natural Resource Manager

Apply to Become an EcoAmbassador

Are you passionate about sustainability and want to make a difference in your community? Apply to become an EcoAmbassador, a program sponsored by the City of Alexandria and Arlington County and hosted by EcoAction Arlington. EcoAmbassadors help inspire neighbors, promote sustainable practices, and connect communities with local environmental resources.

Learn more and apply through the EcoAction Arlington webpage. 

2026 Natural Resources Marketing Campaign Concludes

The 2026 Natural Resources marketing campaign concluded July 29 after four months of community outreach across Alexandria. The campaign connected with approximately 330 residents through community events, nature walks, and meetings, raising awareness of natural resources and gathering valuable feedback. Residents expressed strong interest in invasive species management, wildlife education, and programs such as the Native Heirloom Seed Library, Adopt-a-Park, and Backyard Habitat. The team will continue engaging residents through community events and partnerships. To stay connected, visit the Natural Resources webpage. 

Eco-City Alexandria at the Friendship Firehouse Festival

On August 1, Eco-City Alexandria joined the Firehouse Friendship Festival, connecting with residents and visitors and sharing information about Eco-City programs and initiatives. It was a great opportunity to engage with the community and talk about ways to make Alexandria a more sustainable city.

Learn more about Alexandria’s Eco-City programs and projects on the Eco-City Alexandria webpage.

Emergency Preparedness Education at National Night Out

The Office of Emergency Management and the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) participated in National Night Out, with staff and volunteers attending more than 20 events across the city.

The team connected with hundreds of community members, sharing information about emergency preparedness, community resilience, and ways residents can be better prepared for emergencies. The events also provided an opportunity to recruit new CERT volunteers and highlight how residents can get involved in supporting their community during emergencies.

To learn more, visit the Community Emergency Response Team webpage. 

Jenine Kotob, Associate Director, Capital Projects, Department of General Services

How would you describe your role? I work with the City’s Department of General Services, where I lead the division that executes capital projects for the City’s facilities. Our work spans a range of projects — from the new fleet charging facility for DASH, to the new Burn Building for the Alexandria Fire Department, to the renovation of City Hall. Sustainability, energy efficiency, and human health are considerations in everything we build. It’s a privilege to help steward some of the oldest and most important buildings in the country. 

What are you most excited about? I’m most excited about the City Hall renovation. It’s a challenging but incredible project — we’re aiming for both LEED Platinum and Net Zero, all while honoring the building’s history. We hope this project sets a precedent for historic preservation across the City, showing how systems like geothermal and solar energy, high-performing windows, green roofs, and healthy materials can be woven into buildings with deep historical significance. 

Mind sharing a fun fact about yourself? I was a dance choreographer for nearly a decade. I still love it, and I’m already teaching my 8-month-old daughter to appreciate good music and a good dance move!  

Planning Commission Public Hearing - Tuesday, September 1, 2026 • 7 - 11:59 p.m.
Housing Affordability Advisory Committee - Thursday, September 3, 2026 • 6:45 - 8:45 p.m.

ARHA Board's Planning Development Committee - Thursday, September 10, 2026 • 8:30 -10:30 a.m.
Planning & Zoning Virtual Community Update - Tuesday, September 15, 2026 • 6 -7 p.m.

AlexRenew Regular Board of Directors Meeting - Tuesday, September 15, 2026 • 6 - 8 p.m.

Environmental Policy Commission Regular Meeting (Hybrid) – Tuesday, September 15, 2026 • 7:30 - 9:30 p.m.

ARHA Board’s Operations and Resident Engagement - Wednesday, September 16, 2026 • 4:30-5 p.m.
ARHA Redevelopment Work Group - Thursday, September 17, 2026 • 5:30 -7 p.m.

Eco-City Academy - Saturday, September 19, 2026 • 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Eco-City Academy - Saturday, September 26, 2026 • 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Tons of Trucks - Saturday, September 26, 2026 • 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority Regular Meeting - Monday, September 28, 2026 • 7 - 9 p.m.