Tag: environment
Plastic bag tax generated over $6 million
Fairfax County’s plastic bag tax has generated over $6.2 million in revenue since it took effect on Jan. 1, 2022, the county reports. The largest share of those funds supported Operation Stream Shield, a program that pays homeless people for temporary work removing debris from streams and other locations. Funds also went to waste collection … Continued
Justice HS holds a Recycling Fair
Justice High School student volunteers helped local residents declutter their homes while keeping unneeded items out of landfills.
Lake Accotink is being drained for an evaluation of the dam
Part of the lakebed at Lake Accotink is exposed, as the water level is being lowered to facilitate a study of the dam structure.
Lake Accotink sedimentation study to start this fall
The U.S. Geological Survey has gotten the go-ahead to carry out a $1.14 million three-year sedimentation study of Lake Accotink.
Committee advises Jimenez on creating a greener Mason District
The Greener Mason Advisory Committee, a group set up by Supervisor Andres Jimenez, is development recommendations for making the environment of Mason District “measurably cleaner, healthier, and more pleasant.”
Community speaks out against Plaza 500 data center
Days before the Board of Supervisors’ hearing on data centers, Bren Mar Park residents and environmental activists staged a rally and press conference urging stricter rules to protect neighborhoods.
Paint recycling program launched
Fairfax County launched a paint-recycling program that will provide job training while reducing waste in landfills. The 12-month pilot program, announced June 13, is being carried out by the Department of Public Works and Environmental Services in collaboration with Operation Stream Shield and the Washington, D.C.-based Pangea Markets, an organization dedicated to sustainability. Participants in … Continued
Lake Accotink studies underway
The Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services is making progress on the evaluation of Lake Accotink, Braddock Supervisor James Walkinshaw reports in the June edition of the Braddock Beacon. In December, the Task Force on the Future of Lake Accotink presented its Findings Report to the board of Supervisors. The report concluded that retaining … Continued
Climate activists speak out against the unchecked growth of data centers
Dozens of environmental activists took part in a rally June 2 in Reston to push for more state and local action to pause the out-of-control expansion of data centers. The event was organized by the Sierra Club’s Virginia Chapter to highlight “the harmful economic and environmental consequences of explosive data center growth.” That growth “poses … Continued
Falls Church HS student launches a glass recycling business
For those who see the benefit of recycling but find it cumbersome to bring their glass bottles and jars to a county bin, Falls Church High School student Sam Ross has a solution. Ross launched a business, called Glass Goat, that does it for you. The company gives customers a blue bin to fill up … Continued
The community celebrates Earth Day at Annandale’s Garnett Park
Dozens of representatives of public agencies and nonprofits shared information about their programs and services at the Earth Day celebration on April 27 at the Eileen Garnett Civic Space in Annandale. Volunteers with Hands On Harvests planted vegetables at the demonstration garden in the park, located at 7200 Columbia Pike, between the ACCA Child Development … Continued
Wonder Wagon takes nature on the road
The Fairfax County Park Authority has a new way to help residents experience nature in their communities and schools. The new Wonder Wagon is a mobile nature center that brings environmental and nature-based educational programs to underserved areas. The brightly painted Wonder Wagon van makes the rounds of afterschool programs, Head Start centers, and … Continued
Schools get new trees for Arbor Day
Two Annandale elementary schools celebrated Arbor Day by planting trees. On April 26, the Fairfax County Urban Forest Management Division helped students plant 12 trees at Annandale Terrace Elementary School. Supervisors Andres Jimenez (Mason) and James Walkinshaw (Braddock), Fairfax County Schools Superintendent Michelle Reid, and school board member Ryan McElveen (at-large) participated in the Arbor … Continued
Jimenez forms environmental group
Fairfax County Supervisor Andres Jimenez is forming an environmental work group to find creative ways to make Mason District more environmentally friendly. The Greener Mason Advisory Committee “will help us find hyper-local, creative ways to meet the climate goals set by Fairfax County,” Jimenez said. “As a former executive for climate and environmental nonprofits, furthering … Continued
FCPS gets 42 electric school buses
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded Fairfax County Public Schools $16.5 million for 42 new electric school buses. The funds come from the Clean School Bus Program which was included in the bipartisan infrastructure law enacted during the Biden administration. “Every day, thousands of students, staff, and parents are in and around school buses, … Continued