Arlington is considering the adoption of an impervious area limit in lower density, residentially zoned areas. Despite Arlington’s existing lot coverage and stormwater management regulations, impervious area is increasing Countywide, especially in residential areas. Impervious area increases the risk of flooding and extreme heat, which are the two most dangerous weather threats facing Arlington today. Limiting impervious area can improve stormwater management and create more space for trees.
Washington-Liberty High School, 1301 N. Stafford Street
EcoAction's "Changing Behaviors to Address the Climate Crisis" will open with a reception of exhibits from local organizations, agencies and companies followed by welcoming remarks by Arlington County Board Chair Matt de Ferranti, the election of the board of directors, and an overview of EcoAction Arlington programming for 2026. Visit the AIRE table during the exhibiting portion of the event! Get tickets.
Leave No Trace for Pet Owners
Next date: Sunday, March 22, 2026 | 01:00 PM to 02:00 PM
Adults and Teens 16+. Learn how you and your dog can explore responsibly and help protect our natural spaces by practicing Leave No Trace principles. Enjoy the outdoors together while making a positive impact—dogs are welcome! Registration Required.
Spring Wildflowers and Their Stories
Next date: Friday, March 20, 2026 | 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Adults and Teens 12+. Though roses haven't started to emerge, spring wildflowers are popping up all over Bon Air Park and they have some amazing stories to tell. Medicines, food, folklore and tales of life, love and survival. We'll start at the Rose Garden and explore the entire park. Teens ages 12 and up are welcome to attend with a registered adult. Registration Required.
Rain Barrel Workshop, Pre-Registration Required for All Events
Wednesday, March 25, 2026, 6:15 p.m. at Dr. Charles R. Drew Elementary School.
As part of a regional initiative, NVSWCD offers build-your-own rain barrel workshops and low-cost rain barrel sales. At the workshops, you will learn how to install and maintain a rain barrel and take one home. More information and registration.
These workshops are part of the regional rain barrel program.
Spring 2026 E-CARE
Saturday, March 28 from 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Wakefield High School, 1325 S. Dinwiddie St.
The Arlington Environmental Collection and Recycling Event (E-CARE) is a biannual environmentally friendly drop-off event at which residents can safely dispose of household hazardous materials (HHM) and old electronics. See full list here.
EV Charging Zoning Study: Feedback Requested
This zoning study will evaluate and consider amendments to the Arlington County Zoning Ordinance (ACZO) related to electric vehicle (EV) charging. To support the growing market for EVs, this study will seek to clarify applicable requirements and remove restrictions for installing EV charging infrastructure. These objectives are aligned with the County’s Community Energy Plan (CEP), which calls for the County to “promote and encourage electric vehicles in the private and commercial sectors including supporting convenient charging stations throughout Arlington.” The study's desired outcome is to enable EV charging installations in a predictable, functional and context-appropriate manner across a variety of development types.
Join the Friends of Urban Agriculture (FOUA) Plot Against Hunger Spring Kickoff! Extension Master Gardeners will be on site. For all those interested in providing fresh food for their hungry neighbors, join FOUA and Extension Master Gardeners to learn about good gardening practices through hands-on workshops and educational garden classes. Pick up free seeds and seedlings as well as knowledge. For more information go to: https://arlingtonurbanag.org/2026-spring-garden-kickoff/
Only Rain Down the Drain!
Polluted stormwater runoff is the number one cause of water pollution in Northern Virginia. Please pick up the dog stuff, recycle used motor oil, and don’t over fertilize your lawn.
If you are looking for a sustainable landscape designer or installer, consider hiring someone with the Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional Certification. The Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional (CBLP) Certification is a voluntary credential system for professionals who design, install, and maintain sustainable landscapes. The credential training and examination are based on a core set of standards in sustainable landscaping emphasizing stormwater best practices and conservation landscaping with native plants to benefit the environment.
Do you hire a company to take care of your lawn? Landscaping companies registered with the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation as Green & Clean Landscapers agree to follow landscaping practices that will reduce the amount of fertilizer runoff into our streams and rivers. Such practices include testing the soil for nutrient content before applying any fertilizer, adhering to caps on the amount of nitrogen applied to grass throughout the year, sweeping up any fertilizer that lands on hard surfaces such as sidewalks and driveways, and recycling grass clippings back into the soil. Learn more about the program and see the full list of companies on the Green & Clean registry.
If you contract with a landscaping company that uses your County-provided collection services to dispose of yard waste, you are responsible for coordinating with your contractor to ensure that any yard waste is placed in your County-provided yard waste cart, paper bags, bundles or household containers and set out for collection after 5 p.m. on the day prior to your service day. Your contractor may not set out yard waste in plastic bags for collection. Plastic isn't compostable and won't be collected. Only biodegradable paper yard waste bags will be collected.
Turn Your Yard into a Wildlife Sanctuary!
Would you like to turn your garden into a welcoming space for birds, butterflies and other native wildlife and help enhance the value of our urban green spaces? Get free advice on how to make your yard more wildlife friendly! The Northern Virginia Bird Alliance assists homeowners in restoring their home’s natural habitat by providing information on sustainable gardening practices. These practices include using native plants, removing invasive species, reducing use of pesticides and fertilizers, and creating space for native flora and fauna.
Wildlife Sanctuary ambassadors will visit and consult with you on suitable native plants, landscaping, water retention, or other best practices. To learn more about the program in Arlington or Alexandria, please visit Northern Virginia Bird Alliance. If you have additional questions, please contact Alda Krinsman. Volunteer ambassadors will arrange a site visit and talk with you about ways to enhance habitat in your garden.
Take the Guess Work Out of Choosing Native Plants for Your Yard!
Maybe you know a little about native plants and how they are important for the ecological functioning of our landscapes, including assisting our sagging populations of butterflies and other pollinators. Maybe you know nothing about natives and just want some new ideas for beautifying your landscaping. Whatever your goal and whatever your knowledge level, the Plant Nova Natives website includes terrific, picture-filled, and easy to follow information that will help you choose native species that are suited to your property and available at local nurseries. On the website, you will find a colorful guide to local native species, a list of local businesses that supply natives, and links to organizations that will come to your property and offer customized landscaping recommendations.
Tree Care Resources
Concerned about your trees? The maintenance of medium to large trees is best left to qualified arborists both in terms of evaluating the need, and applying the treatment. While well executed pruning can sometimes reduce the risk of failure, poorly executed pruning can increase the risk. For a list of certified arborists in this area:
Trees fallen onto public property during a storm? For all emergencies, call 911. This includes downed power lines, fallen trees that are blocking major streets and safety issues that need immediate attention.
All trees that fall on private property become the responsibility of the owner, regardless of their original location.
Downed power lines from tree failure? Stay clear of downed power lines and downed trees in their vicinity, even if you believe that the lines are dead or have been de-energized by the power company. Lines can become re-energized as circuits are restored or come into contact with live lines. Don’t assume that lines have been de-energized just because a power company crew has visited the site.
Call Dominion Energy at 1-866-366-4357. Trees on power lines are by state law the domain of the utility company. As soon as power lines are removed from trees or made safe, the owner of the property can work to remove the tree.
