Things To Do Later
visit the City's Jerome "Buddy" Ford NATURE CENTER
Alexandria’s own Jerome “Buddie” Ford Nature Center provides year round environmental education programs. A listing of some of the current virtual and in person programs are described below. Pre-registration is required. Please click here and visit the environmental education tab for registration information.
Backyard Nature
Learn about Alexandria’s native trees, plants and animals! An environmental educator will discuss techniques for identifying common species and demonstrate how to identify local plants and animals on your own using the iNaturalist app. Ages 4 & up. $5 per person.
- April 24
(in-person) from 1 p.m. – 2 p.m.
City Nature Challenge Guided Walks
Guided hikes at Dora Kelley Nature Park. Together we will participate in the City Nature Challenge using the iNaturalist app (available for Android and iOS devices). We will find and document as many trees, plants, and animals as we can! All ages welcome. Free.
- April 30 from 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
- May
3 from 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Dog Friendly Nature Hikes
Bring your dog and join the Jerome “Buddie” Ford Nature Center on the 4th Saturday of the month to explore Dora Kelley Nature Park, each focusing on different themes. All dogs must remain on-leash at all times. All ages welcome. $3 per person.
- May 22 from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
- June 26 from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Attend Environmental Policy Commission Meetings
Meeting agendas, background environmental project materials and the scope of the City's environmental advisory panel are posted to the City hosted EPC web page. Meetings are held monthly.
Become an Eco-City Ambassador
The twice a year Eco-City Academy is one of the City of Alexandria Academies that trains community volunteers as Eco-City Ambassadors to provide outreach and education on sustainability throughout the City of Alexandria. The training covers the topics in the Environmental Action Plan 2040: climate change, energy, green buildings, open space, solid waste, water resources, transportation, air quality, and implementation and outreach. After completing the training, volunteers provide ten hours of outreach in the City. The next available academy is fall 2021 and announced along with other City academies.
Contact the City’s Sustainability Coordinator, Ellen Eggerton, at Eco-CityAlexandria@alexandriava.gov or 703.746.4065 with any questions and comments.
Become an Energy Master
The Energy Masters program trains community volunteers in energy efficiency and water conservation techniques through an intensive seven-session training program. After completing the training program, volunteers perform energy efficiency checks and upgrades to affordable housing units in the City of Alexandria and Arlington County, Virginia. The next training starts in the fall of 2021. During COVID-19, the program has developed free online training. See the calendar of events here.