Help Us Recognize Bold Climate Leadership—Nominate a Sustainability Champion!

Do you know an organization, faith community, business, elected official, or local advocate in Northern Virginia or Rockingham County making a real impact for a greener, more just future? We’re accepting nominations for our 2025 Sustainability Champions Awards! Nominees should demonstrate a commitment to FACS’ mission through impactful actions, leadership, and a dedication to equity and inclusion. Submit your nomination today and mark your calendar for the Awards Ceremony on Thursday, June 5, from 7-8 PM at Unity of Fairfax in Oakton, VA—an evening to celebrate bold climate leadership.

Arlington Students Donate 1,200 Clothing Items & Make an Impact with Free Clothing Pop-Up

On February 2nd, Arlington Students for Climate Action, a 2024 FACS Sustainability Champion, hosted a successful free clothing pop-up shop at Washington-Liberty High School, collecting an impressive 1,200 articles of clothing. Of those, 400 items went directly to community members, while the remaining pieces were donated to two Arlington nonprofits and a local Goodwill. This student-led group, sponsored by FACS, EcoAction Arlington, and the Sierra Club Potomac River Group, is also leading a composting collection pilot and advocating for bold climate action before the County and School Boards.

We’re Looking for Volunteers—Turn Your Passion into Action!

Your time and passion can create real change! This spring, we’re seeking dedicated volunteers to:

⚡ Help Faith Communities Electrify – Support Northern Virginia congregations in electrifying their buildings and becoming more energy efficient through our Power of Faith program.

🌱 Engage Your Community – Represent FACS at fun community events and spark meaningful conversations about climate solutions.

🏆 Create an Unforgettable Celebration – Join the Planning Committee for our Sustainability Champions Awards Ceremony and help honor local climate leaders in an inspiring evening to remember.

Whether you love engaging with people, advancing clean energy, or organizing impactful events, there’s a place for you. Fill out our interest form and get ready to take climate action!

Missed Our Event with Tallamy? Don’t Worry—Learn from Local Experts Instead!

We’ve officially sold out tickets for our partnership event with Mount Vernon Unitarian Church, “The Home Grown National Park: Creating Habitat in Our Own Yards,” featuring Doug Tallamy!

If you feel like you missed your chance to learn how to transform your yard into a thriving, native habitat, you’re in luck—join us for “Creating a Sanctuary for Wildlife in Your Own Backyard” on Tuesday, March 11, from 6:30–9:00 PM at Aldersgate UMC. This special dinner and discussion features local climate experts Joanne Hutton, a Master Naturalist, Master Gardener, and Tree Steward; Elizabeth Martin, Co-Director of Northern Virginia Bird Alliance’s Wildlife Sanctuary Program; and Ashley Palmer, Communication and Education Specialist at the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District. They’ll share insights and helpful resources on how you can plant native flowers, shrubs, and trees in your backyard to create successful wildlife habitat. Plus, you’ll learn about the benefits of rain barrels and about their Rain Barrel Workshop in May.

Third Annual Conference for Spanish-Speaking Landscape Professionals

On February 20, we proudly co-sponsored a successful conference for Spanish-speaking homeowners, designers, foremen, laborers, and garden center staff. The conference garnered 75 attendees and focused on the benefits of native plants, healthy soils, and sustainable landscape management. Led entirely in Spanish with four expert speakers, the event sparked meaningful conversations on how nature-based practices support both climate resilience and with attracting more clients.

Faith in Action – “Earthrise” by Amanda Gorman

“We refuse to lose…Because with every dawn we carry the weight of the fate of this celestial body orbiting a star.”

Watch Amanda Gorman, the U.S.’s first Youth Poet Laureate, deliver a breathtaking performance of her powerful poem “Earthrise”—a call to action, a rallying cry, and a reminder of what’s at stake—hosted by the Climate Reality Project. Let her words ignite the power to rise with urgency, hope, and vision in the fight for our planet’s future.

Get Green Arlington: Powerful Actions Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow

Wed | Mar 5 | 6:30-9:00 PM | @Washington-Liberty High School

If you’re an Arlington resident, you won’t want to miss this! Join us at EcoAction Arlington’s 47th Annual Meeting to explore ways to live more sustainably and amplify collective action for our community. Enjoy a reception with exhibits (come say “Hi” to the FACS table!), followed by an engaging program featuring Rev. Dr. Delishia Andrea Davis, NAACP Arlington Branch President, and interactive breakout sessions on tree canopy, composting, reducing plastic pollution, and electric vehicles.

Make Your Congregation Energy Efficient: Expert Panel & Community Discussion

Wed | April 30 | 7:00-8:30 PM | @Church of the Holy Comforter

Is your congregation looking to replace an aging HVAC system, electrify appliances, or explore solar energy? Join us to learn how our Power of Faith program helps Northern Virginia congregations cut costs and reduce energy waste! Hear from a panel of experts and partner congregations who are successfully navigating the program, and gain practical insights on energy tracking, solar energy, and local funding opportunities. 

While all Northern Virginia congregations are welcome and will benefit from learning about our program, we especially encourage Fairfax County-based congregants to attend to learn about our exclusive county-specific grant opportunities. After the panel, you’ll have the chance to participate in expert-led breakout discussions to dive deeper into key topics and get your questions answered.

The Delusion of Controlling Nature

Wed | May 14 | 7:00-8:45 PM | Virtual

Hosted by Friends of Dyke Marsh, this thought-provoking program will feature Stephen David Miller, award-winning journalist and author of Over the Seawall, Tsunamis, Cyclones, Drought and the Delusion of Controlling Nature. Miller will examine humanity’s long history of reshaping landscapes and controlling nature—and how these efforts can sometimes backfire. He’ll also highlight why true climate resilience lies in working with nature, not against it.

Arlington County Hub Updates

FACS’ Arlington Hub had a packed month:

• Actively engaged in the Climate Resolution Celebration Rally in support of Arlington County Board’s adoption of a new Climate Action Resolution. Over 40 advocates, including a group of high school students, attended and spoke out at the County Board meeting. Hub members advocated for inputs to the resolution and celebrated the Board’s strategic and visionary approach to tackling climate change within the local government and across the county.
• Hosted a robust discussion exploring home energy upgrades with Scott Donelson, President of Home Energy Medics, to best understand how to approach home energy upgrades.
• Helped coordinate a successful free clothing pop-up shop with Arlington Students for Climate Action. 1,200 articles of clothing were collected—400 went directly to community members, while the rest were donated to two local Arlington-based nonprofits and a Goodwill.

📅 Important Notice: They are excited to learn about Climate TRACE, a climate tracking tool, and key sources of greenhouse gas emissions in the DMV region from Peter Thomas, Senior Data Engineer with WattTime.org, on Wednesday, March 12, at 7 PM via Zoom. Join the “Arlington County” FACS Hub for meeting information.

Fairfax County Hub Updates

With Virginia’s General Assembly session ending, FACS’ Fairfax County Hub is shifting its focus to advocacy on the local level. At the last meeting, they discussed Fairfax County’s proposed budget and how residents can ensure strong investments in sustainability programs and initiatives. They are currently scheduling meetings with members of the Board of Supervisors and county officials to advocate for climate-friendly budget priorities. 

If you want to get involved, fill out this form and get ready to make a true difference.

📅 Important Notice: Come together with fellow Fairfax County residents and weigh in on opportunities to take strategic, collective action on Thursday, March 20, at 7:30 PM.

Loudoun Hub Updates

With the relaunch of FACS’ Loudoun Hub, Hub Leaders Jean Wright and Eric Goplerud are making a lot of exciting moves happen in the county. The Hub recently welcomed Supervisor Mike Turner, who presented his white paper, Loudoun County, Virginia: Data Center Capital of the World – A Strategy for a Changing Paradigm, and held an engaging discussion where Hub members identified three key priorities moving forward: (1) Data Centers, (2) Protecting the Natural Environment & Wildlife Corridors, and (3) Composting & the Circular Economy. Check out FACS’ Data Center Principles to learn more about the intricacies of environmental advocacy around data centers.

📅 Important Events: On Friday, March 14, 9 AM-12 PM, the Loudoun Environmental Commission will host its first Community Roundtable at the Loudoun County Government Center. This event invites community organizations engaged in environmental and energy issues to share their insights and priorities. The county is eager to foster ongoing discussions about its environmental initiatives and explore potential partnership opportunities for future collaboration. Additionally, the next Loudoun Hub meeting will be on Sunday, March 23, 2-4 PM, at Leesburg Presbyterian Church.

If you want to get involved with these exciting opportunities, join the “Loudoun County” FACS Hub today!