Making The City Greener, Cleaner

Students volunteer at a beautification event at Anacostia Park. (2005 Photo Student Conservation Association, Washington, D.c.)

Earth Day was considered a revolutionary concept when it was founded in 1970 as a day in which people would focus on what they could do to improve the environment. But with awareness growing about such problems as global warming and water pollution, it was perhaps inevitable that in the Washington area, Earth Day -- April 22 -- would blossom into a weeklong array of events designed to give residents, employees and commuters a chance to learn about environmental concerns and how to address them.

The second annual GreenDC Week, starting Monday through April 23, is organized by a partnership of nonprofit and private organizations and coordinated by the D.C. Energy Office. Activities, lectures and films will highlight such issues as water and energy conservation, recycling, carpooling and green building, which involves making buildings environmentally friendly.

Each day of the week will feature a theme along with exhibits, activities and service projects for adults and children. "People who live, work or study in the District will learn what they can do to change their environmentally harmful behaviors to more beneficial ones," says Andre Javier-Barry, a program manager in the D.C. Energy Office and the coordinator of GreenDC Week.

Monday is Think Green D.C.! Day at the National Zoo. Groups such as the U.N. Environment Programme and Earth Day Network will provide information about building a more sustainable environment. The day is in conjunction with the African American Family Celebration at the zoo, so as many as 20,000 people are expected, Barry said.

Want to learn how to cook hot dogs with solar power? Tuesday is Holistic Energy Day with exhibits at Freedom Plaza, at Pennsylvania Avenue between 13th and 14th streets NW. A variety of renewable energy sources will be showcased. Visitors can learn how to conserve energy through exhibits on caulking and weather-stripping, and a Junior Solar Sprint Race will feature miniature solar cars built by District students in grades 4 through 9.

During Air & Atmosphere Day on Wednesday, events at the Kennedy Recreation Center (1401 Seventh St. NW) will include a bicycle safety clinic led by the Washington Area Bicyclist Association. "Earth Balloon," a 20-foot diameter model of our planet, will be displayed. Inside the balloon, you can learn about different populations, migration patterns and how humans affect the environment. Chris Palmer, director of the Center for Environmental Filmmaking and Professional School of Communication, will show clips from his films at 7 at American University.

On Thursday, which is Water Use It Wisely Day at the Southwest waterfront, several displays will focus on water conservation. Events include presentations and hands-on lessons about the ecology and biology of the Anacostia and Potomac rivers. You can also learn how to test your water at home for salinity, pH balance and more, and how water moves through different parts of our watershed. Educational boat tours along the Anacostia River, sponsored by the Living Classrooms Foundation and the National Maritime Heritage Foundation, will be offered to student groups. Two films will be screened at noon at the National Museum of Natural History's Baird Auditorium. The movie "The Anacostia: Restoring the People's River" will be screened at 6:30 at George Washington University (Media and Public Affairs Building, 21st and H streets NW, Room B07).

Friday's theme is Green Buildings Day. At the City Museum (801 K St. NW), exhibits, presentations and lectures will focus on local sustainable building projects. Sponsors will provide information and advice on how to build homes and offices that use nontoxic and recyclable materials, as well as how to reduce energy use. Offsite, tours will be offered of buildings that are becoming certified for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, meaning they comply with high environmental standards.

Earth Day, April 22, is Clean & Green DC Day, and events are planned as the culmination of the week. At the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, exhibitors will show how to build a healthier and more sustainable environment. A fuel efficient car will be on display. Face painting, caricature drawing and the Discovery Creek Children's Museum's Rolling Rainforest tractor-trailer -- filled with nature and animal exhibits from around the world -- will keep children entertained. In addition, community projects, exhibits and activities will take place across the city. In Anacostia, for example, the Anacostia Watershed Society will hold an Anacostia River cleanup, and the Student Conservation Association will hold an Anacostia Park beautification project. At an "e-cycling" event in the Carter Barron Amphitheatre parking lot, computers and other electronic devices will be collected along with household hazardous waste.

Sunday is Green Faith Day at congregations across the city. The idea is to inspire congregations to address such problems as global climate change and energy efficiency within their place of worship. Interfaith youth service projects will focus on cleaning up the environment.

Originally conceived by City Administrator Robert C. Bobb, GreenDC Week is meant to provide simple yet important tips for people who may not know the basics of protecting the environment.

"The week is intended to hammer home the message that taking care of our world is a daily endeavor and that you can have a good time while you're at it," Javier-Barry says.

GREENDC WEEK Monday- April 23. Free.http://www.greendcweek.net. All activities except the lecture series are 10 to 4. Most activities are open to the public, although some are restricted to student groups and require registration. For more information, contact Andre Javier-Barry of the D.C. Energy Office at 202-673-6750 or e-mailAndre.Javier-Barry@dc.gov. For information about student group activities and registration, call Joyce Heard at 202-671-3300.