Sustainability: A Guide to Environment, Economy, and Equity

Arcadia is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating a more equitable and sustainable local food system in the Washington, DC area. Based on the historic grounds of Woodlawn Estate in Alexandria, Virginia, thanks to a landmark partnership with the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Arcadia manages four distinct program areas that address a specific need in the community, while collectively engaging consumers, farmers, schools, and institutions.

The Alexandria Environmental Policy Commission (EPC) was established under Chapter 4, Article M, of the City Code to “advise and make recommendations to the City Council and, where appropriate, to the Planning Commission and City Manager.”

"The following websites, organizations and publications will help you employ watershed-friendly gardening and sustainable stormwater management at your home. The presence of a business or organization on this list does not constitute an endorsement by the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District."

"In the last two decades, over thirty-five percent of Northern Virginia's urban forest has been bulldozed and chainsawed, according to aerial photos from the Forest Service. Our aim is to conserve, restore and promote sustainable urban forests in Northern Virginia by restoring large numbers of native trees on public commons land where funding for landscaping is lacking and nothing would otherwise be planted, and to educate government and the public about the values and benefits of the urban forest. We operate through enlisting volunteer workers and support from interested civic groups, youth, scouts, local businesses, churches and schools."

2019 presentation by Gem Bingol of the Piedmont Environmental Council. "A Comprehensive Plan provides the vision for a County’s future and guides the direction it takes, laying out community values and aspirations. It balances the rights of private property owners with societal goals. Comp Plans are required by Virginia state law. Localities must review them every 5 years, and periodically update them. Loudoun’s last major revision occurred in 2001 with adoption of the current Comp Plan. The guidance in the Comprehensive Plan determines where development does and doesn’t happen, what kind and how much housing there will be, and the percentage and character of the open space contained within developments. It determines where roads are planned, the presence of transit and trails and other critical community infrastructure. It determines where the nearest stores will be, whether the community will do anything to ensure clean air, clean water, and adequate habitat. Also, whether it will preserve its heritage resources and demonstrate how it plans to become more sustainable."

"350Loudoun and Sustainable Loudoun have joined forces and become Loudoun Climate Project. We support scientifically informed activism and advocacy to increase understanding of climate change and how that influences personal choices and public policy. We also promote the development of a resilient local economy based on environmental stewardship, energy conservation, and the transition to renewable energy. We believe climate change is a global problem that requires local involvement, and hope to make Loudoun County a role model for the rest of Virginia, the country and the world."

"Since Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy’s foundation in 1995, this region has seen a great transformation. From a largely rural area, Loudoun County has grown and changed to a county that encompasses not only hills, farmland and open areas but also increasing suburban development as the population grows. Change brings with it a greater responsibility to preserve and protect important elements of what makes this area so attractive – the habitat and the wildlife that live among and beside us. That is the role of Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy."

Blog author Elizabeth Ward "was awarded an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh and an MS ChE from NYU Tandon School of Engineering, worked as a chemical engineer for both the US EPA in DC, and at DuPont before working in finance and then becoming consultant with Washington Advisors and is the author of "The Lenders Guide to Developing an Environmental Risk Management Program." Elizabeth retired from Washington Advisors and began her volunteer career and served 10 years as the Treasurer of the Prince William Soil and Water Conservation District."

"Active Prince William is presently focused on the following priorities: - Influencing the coming updates to the Prince William County Strategic Plan, the Mobility and Land Use Chapters of the Comprehensive Plan, and local Small Area Plans. - Improving the transparency, public-input opportunities, equity, and sustainability of local and regional transportation infrastructure decisions, by advocating for citizen multimodal transportation advisory commissions in Prince William County, Manassas, and Manassas Park. - Strengthening agency active transportation and trail programs in Prince William County, Manassas, and Manassas Park. - Improving local policies and standards for adequate bicycle parking accommodations at various types of community destinations. - Advancing Safe Routes to Schools programs. - Growing Active Prince William to become an effective and sustainable nonprofit advocacy organization."

"We get together monthly or more often to take gardening classes, tour local farms, and discover local resources to help us to live greener, healthier lives. Here are some of our ideas for future Meetups: - Visiting local farms that offer sustainable, pastured beef and poultry. - Learning about green housecleaning. - Visiting a local beekeeper. -Taking gardening classes. - Price comparisons of sustainable products. - Looking at policies and laws in Prince William County to see how they impact our future sustainability and health. - Discovering local restaurants that offer local or organic food."