Tag Archive: sustainability
MCPS Adopts Transformative Sustainability Policy
On June 28, 2022, the Montgomery County Public Schools Board of Education unanimously adopted a transformative sustainability policy. Titled Policy ECA, Sustainability, the policy commits the school district to cutting
New Public Space Recycling Stations Arrive in Wheaton!
If you have visited Montgomery County’s Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) office or downtown Wheaton lately, you likely have seen the latest additions to the neighborhood—new blue recycling stations! These
Getting rid of your lawn? Follow our plan for a beautiful garden AND happy neighbors
Making the switch to less lawn requires prep work. You can’t let the lawn go wild on its own, because it may not attract pollinators, and it certainly won’t make
Meet the Magical Glomalin: Perhaps the most important glue in the world!
Ever wonder what holds the soil together? It’s not Velcro, tape, or oil: it’s glomalin, a sticky glycoprotein that glues sand, silt, clay, and organic matter together, to create soil
For Radon Action Month, Test Your Home for Radon
Updated: January 2021 During the month of January, Montgomery County joins a nationwide effort to educate homeowners and renters on the dangers of radon gas and the importance of testing
Reducing Stormwater Runoff and the Use of Deicing Chemicals
Pervious Pavement: What is it? Pervious pavement is a system for reducing stormwater runoff, ensuring less pollutants enter our waterways, as well as reducing the use of deicing chemicals during
Free the trees! Why it’s important to remove tree stakes
While staking young trees may seem like a good idea, the stakes can often do more harm than good. Read more to learn why it might be a good idea to
Caring for Sligo Creek Walking Tour
County Green Streets and RainScapes Rewards projects in the Sligo Park Hills neighborhood provided inspiration to representatives of local congregations who recently attended a walking tour hosted by the National
ACEEE’s Local Clean Energy Self-Scoring Tool Places County in Top 25 Cities Nationwide
We are always looking for tools to help monitor and track progress towards our sustainability goals. To that end, Montgomery County partnered with the American Council for an Energy-Efficiency Economy
Non-Profits Sustaining Sustainability Series: Green Acres – The Charles Koiner Center for Urban Farming
Non-Profits Sustaining Sustainability is a regular feature where we highlight a Montgomery County non-profit organization that is making a difference with their work in sustainability spaces across a variety of
Celebrating Sustainable Corporate Leadership in Montgomery County
Montgomery County is a hub of development in the DC region, with new construction and renovations constantly underway. Development proves to be a great opportunity to increase buildings’ energy efficiency,
Serving the community on the annual MLK Day of Service
In 1983, the third Monday in January became a federal holiday to commemorate Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday. Eleven years later, the day was designated a National Day
A look inside Montgomery College’s Biosciences Education Center
On November 1, 2018, the Montgomery County Committee of USGBC-National Capital Region organized a presentation and tour of Montgomery College’s Biosciences Education Center—an innovative and eye-catching facility that supports STEM
It’s good to be evergreen: Tree tips for winter
Many of us worry about our trees in winter – between the cold air, wind and snow, our trees must be in trouble, right? Not really – Trees go into
This holiday season, gift outside the box!
The act of giving is one of the best traditions of the holiday season. It builds bonds and shows your loved ones how you care for them. Unfortunately, the way
Partners in Energy: Jordan Leonard
One person can make a difference and this series profiles a leader, advocate, or resident who is dedicated to improving energy efficiency and helping the county realize its goal to
Leading the Way: County activates two advanced microgrids
On October 24, Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett announced the official activation of two advanced microgrids for its Public Safety Headquarters (PSHQ) in Gaithersburg and Correctional Facility in Boyds. The
Two years of the Residential Energy Program!
Watt’s Up with Montgomery County’s Residential Energy Program? In 2016, the Residential Energy Program launched. After 2 years, it is well on its way to energy and greenhouse gas
Saving energy and taxpayer dollars through continuous improvement of County operations
Montgomery County’s Department of General Services (DGS) often works behind the scenes to ensure that the County is operating efficiently, both in terms of cost and utilities, through innovative programs
Buying green electricity for your home
An important way to combat global warming is to switch our electricity supply to “green” electricity (generated from wind- and solar-powered sources, both of which do not emit carbon dioxide).
Community Solar is now available for Marylanders
Montgomery County residents finally have the chance to take part in the new Maryland community solar program and be part of the newest, most innovative solar industry development. Community solar
Our top tips for a green back-to-school season
Summer is almost over, and that means one thing — the non-stop back to school ads with dancing kids and the message to shop, shop, shop for the school year.
MCDOT sponsors free PARK(ing) Day celebration
The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) is encouraging artists, planners, businesses, organizations, groups, and individuals to participate in International PARK(ing) Day on September 21 by temporarily transforming a metered
Join DEP at the 2018 County Fair!
We love the County Fair! From the animals to the rides and carnival games, it’s one of our favorite times of year. (And don’t get us started on the food.)
Sustainability is not an “add-on” at CNSI
For CNSI, a Rockville-based health information technology company, environmental sustainability is central to its corporate culture and work ethic. Importantly, their Green Business Certification is not viewed as a distinct
DEP and Safeway want you to “Lighten Your Load”
During the Summer of 2018, the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and Safeway stores partnered to help save shoppers energy and money on their lighting with “Lighten Your
Trying to be rational in an irrational world
Think about the last time you went looking for a new car. What did you look for? You probably started with your needs for the vehicle and the style of
Show your air conditioner a little R-E-S-P-E-C-T
Failed air conditioning on a scorching day can turn summer bliss into a sweaty nightmare. Here are do-it-at-home tips that may help lower your utility bill, save energy and avoid costly
The Montgomery County Watershed Restoration and Outreach Grant Program is now OPEN!
The Montgomery County Watershed Restoration and Outreach Grant program, offered by the Montgomery County Government and the Chesapeake Bay Trust, is now accepting proposals to support watershed restoration and outreach
Fun activities for your kids when the Air Quality Index hits orange and above
“It’s a ‘code orange’ air quality day. Consider keeping the kids inside today.” You may hear these alerts on radio or TV or read them in the newspaper. But what
One Montgomery Green announces first Annual Marian Fryer Communitarian Award at the Green Gala on June 28th
One Montgomery Green (OMG) announces the creation of the first annual Marian Fryer Communitarian Award at its annual Green Gala at Brookside Gardens Visitors Center in Wheaton, Maryland, on June
Green Businesses connect, network, and teach at Montgomery County GreenFest!
On Saturday May 5th, 2018, Montgomery County GreenFest took place in Jesup Blair Local Park in Silver Spring. The largest GreenFest to date, it drew more than 1,000 attendees and
Lighten the Load with DEP and Safeway
Get up to 3 LEDs and a free reusable bag at an upcoming Safeway event! Bring in your old incandescent or CFL light bulbs and DEP will exchange them for
GreenFest Gravy: Businesses see benefits too
GreenFest is billed as a family-friendly celebration with music, exhibitors, and games focused on engaging and inspiring the public. But at an event of the size and scale of GreenFest,
Montgomery County homeowners with modest income are invited to apply for upgrades under the Homeowner Energy Efficiency Program
Montgomery County is launching a Homeowner Energy Efficiency Program to benefit a limited number of qualified residential customers. The program provides improvements to reduce electric bills for homeowners with modest
The celebrated musical frog of Washington, DC
Have you ever found an animal in danger or in a strange place, and weren’t sure what to do? Jessica Jones, Outreach and Education Manager of the Department of Environmental
CleanChoice Energy and Takoma Park partner for clean energy community campaign
CleanChoice Energy, a renewable energy company providing 100% clean electricity to customers, has been chosen by the City of Takoma Park to supply residents and businesses with renewable energy on
Seeking Solar: Homeowners turn to the sun for an energy assist
Easier to install than ever, solar power is proving to be a go-to for homeowners looking to reduce electricity costs as well as their greenhouse gas emissions. Solar power is
The Incubator at Bethesda Green – Hatching next generation companies
Bethesda Green’s incubator is a four-year program, starting with an intensive six-month accelerator, designed to help provide start-up green and social impact businesses with the tools they need to succeed.
TBC Hotels take care of business to lower energy usage
A focus on upgrades and infrastructure enhancements helped one hotel morph from a high-energy consumer to an efficient energy user in no time flat. In November 2016, The Bernstein Companies
Green Business Certification: Developer and caterer on common ground
A look at how two fundamentally different companies — Green Plate Catering, which specializes in vegan and vegetarian fare and uses sustainably produced local, seasonal and organic ingredients, and The
Green Business Certification Program expands to include farms implementing comprehensive sustainability practices
Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett has announced the expansion of the Green Business Certification Program to recognize farm operations certified through the USDA Organic and/or Certified Naturally Grown programs. Certified
Join our team! DEP is looking for two interns
DEP is looking for two interns to join our team part-time. The positions are paid. Both internships will start as soon as possible. Pet Waste Management Program – Division of Watershed
Earth Hour is March 24 from 8:30pm – 9:30pm
Join millions of people around the world and turn off your lights for Earth Hour! Earth Hour is a movement to unite people around the world to making positive changes
Gaithersburg: Partner in Energy
At DEP, we truly believe that our partners are key to making Montgomery County as green as it can be. This “Partners in Energy” series profiles a local leader, advocate,
Environmental Protection Open House this Sunday!
Board Members and Property Managers of Homeowners and Condo Associations, Co-ops and Multifamily Housing are Invited The Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), along with the Department of
Registration is now open for GreenFest exhibitors and vendors
The 4th Annual Greenfest, Montgomery County’s largest environmental festival, will take place on Saturday, May 5 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Jesup Blair Local Park in Silver Spring.
Registration open for the Fifth Annual Montgomery County Energy Summit
The Fifth Annual Montgomery County Energy Summit is set for Wednesday, April 4, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Silver Spring Civic Building located at One Veterans Plaza. Co-hosted by
