Events: You can help make DC more sustainable

The District Department of the Environment is updating the Sustainable DC Plan and they need your help! Over the next two weeks, they are holding several different workgroups for you to weigh in. Working groups will be made up of volunteer private sector and community leaders, subject matter experts, and District Government staff. Sign up for one (or more!) today.

Health and food workgroup – Wednesday, November 8 – Department of Parks & Recreation | 1250 U Street NW – 6 pm to 8 pm
Equity and people workgroup – Thursday, November 9 – Department of Parks and Recreation | 1250 U Street NW – 6 pm to 8 pm
Nature and water workgroup – Thursday, November 9 – Department of Energy & Environment | 1200 First Street NE, 5th floor – 6 pm to 8 pm
Transportation workgroup – next Monday, November 13 – Office of Planning | 1100 4th St SW – 6 pm to 8 pm
Energy, climate, and built environment workgroup – next Monday, November 13 – Department of Energy and Environment | 1200 First Street NE, 5th floor – 6 pm to 8 pm

Plus, don't miss these other great events.

Today, Monday, November 6: In DC, there has been a lot of news and action recently about lack of healthy food access in Wards 7 and 8. What can cities contribute to food security and nutritional security? Join Sabine O’Hara, Dean of the College of Agriculture, Urban Sustainability and Environmental Sciences (CAUSES) and Landgrant Programs of the University of the District of Columbia, to explore the connections between urban farming, food security, nutritional security, and the sustainability and resilience of our cities. The event is from 6:30 pm to 8 pm at the National Museum of Natural History (10th Street and Constitution Avenue NW).

Saturday, November 11: Accessory Apartments, or ADUs have been legal in Arlington since 2009, but due to burdensome regulations only 20 have been permitted since. The County Board is considering reforming those regulations to make it easier for Arlingtonians to have ADUs on their property in an upcoming vote. Join us for a special tour of one of these homes, along with a brief teach-in to explain the impediments facing ADUs in Arlington and ways you can help. The meeting is at 2322 N. Stafford St. in Arlington from 10-11:30am. Please RSVP, space is limited.

Next Monday, November 14: The new 11th Street Bridge Park will connect the neighborhoods of Anacostia on the east side of the river and Capitol Hill on the west. Head to the next Tuesdays at APA to hear from Vaughn Perry, Equitable Development Manager for the 11th Street Bridge Park, at 5:30 pm at the American Planning Association (1030 15th Street NW, Suite 750 West) for a discussion about the Bridge Park and the Equitable Development Plan, which was developed through a community-led process and is serving as a guide to ensure that the park’s development drives inclusive growth that results in opportunities for all residents.

Next Monday, November 14: Maryland Governor Hogan recently released a plan to widen, privatize, and toll I-270, I-495, and the BW Parkway. Head to the next Action Committee for Transit monthly meeting to hear what's fact and whats fiction. The speakers are Jeremy Mohler of In The Public Interest and Ben Ross, author of “Dead End: Suburban Sprawl and the Rebirth of American Urbanism” and Chair, Maryland Transit Opportunities Coalition. The meeting starts at 7:30 pm at the Silver Spring Civic Center (1 Veterans Place) in Silver Spring.