GreenDC Week: Ways to Help Save the World

Earth Day was once a single day, but as environmental awareness and its many facets -- consuming local organics, buying energy-efficient products and being fashionably green -- have become more mainstream, Earth Day has expanded into a week of educational activities and service opportunities. The D.C. government is contributing to the expansion, and on Sunday, the District Department of the Environment kicks off its third annual GreenDC Week.

"We want a holistic approach to address the whole environmental issue in the District and look at where we can make the most difference," agency spokeswoman Sharon Cooke says.

Each day of GreenDC Week focuses on a specific subject: green faith, holistic energy, water, air and atmosphere, and green buildings. Each day will feature 10 action steps, such as using compact fluorescent lights to reduce energy costs and usage and removing excess cargo from vehicles to reduce drag and fuel consumption. Such steps are inexpensive and easy to implement, says GreenDC Week organizer Andre Javier-Barry.

Those tips and a list of events, not all sponsored by the D.C. government, are available on the GreenDC Week Web site, http://www.greendcweek.net. For example, Thursday is devoted to green buildings. The U.N. Environment Programme will offer tours of its North American regional office on H Street NW, which is not green certified by the U.S. Green Building Council but innovative in its use of materials. The building features floors made of bamboo and recycled tires, counters from recycled yogurt containers, energy-efficient lighting and designer chairs constructed with recycled seat belts.

"Although our office is not LEED [Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design] certified . . . it is a good starting point in our efforts to create a more sustainable office with benefits for both people and the environment," says Peter Repinski, U.N. industry officer.

A highlight of the week is the Earth Day celebration April 20 from 10 to 4 at Woodrow Wilson Plaza. The day will be filled with lectures on energy efficiency, how dietary choices affect the land and how obtaining a loan to make a home more energy-efficient can save money in the long run. Mayor Adrian M. Fenty has been invited, and there will be about 40 informational booths.

GreenDC's Earth Day celebration will also have activities for kids, such as constructing and racing electric cars, learning how to make paper and visiting with birds of prey. Akiima Price, director of education for the Earth Conservation Corps, says, "We'll have two raptors to promote that the Anacostia River is living and, if you want to see them around, you've got to take care of the river."

According to Javier-Barry, the week is not merely about raising public awareness but about giving people the "tools to help them implement [concepts for green living] at home."

GREENDC WEEK Sunday through April 22. 202-673-6750.http://www.greendcweek.net.

Here are several other Earth Day-related events:

Sunday from noon to 4:30 Marshall Popkin, environmental planner for the Northern Virginia Regional Commission, will present a workshop on building and maintaining a rain garden. Rain gardens allow water to be absorbed into the soil slowly, preventing contaminants from polluting waterways. Free. Registration required. Green Springs Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Rd., Alexandria. 703-642-5173 or 703-642-4641.

Thursday from 10 to 11 and 2 to 3 Tour the U.N. Environment Programme's North American regional office. The building uses recycled and energy-efficient products and practices. Free. 1707 H St. NW. 202-785-0465.http://www.unep.fr.

April 20 from 10 to 4 Earth Day celebration. Free. Woodrow Wilson Plaza, Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. 202-673-6750.

April 21 from 7:30 to noon Volunteer Frederick's Big Sweep. This sixth annual countywide service day is a fundraiser for area nonprofit groups. Volunteers solicit donations for their trash-collection efforts and then collect roadside garbage. Supplies, such as gloves, safety vests and trash bags, are provided, and there is a kickoff breakfast at 7:30. 301-663-5214.http://www.volunteerfrederick.org/bigsweep.

April 21 About 200 runners are expected for the fourth annual 5K Fund Run and Walk, raising money for the Walker Nature Education Center in Reston. Event also includes tree-planting, crafts and e-recycling. Race starts at 8. $25 registration fee. 11450 Glade Dr. 703-476-9689.http://www.reston.org/Nature/n_programs.html#specialevents.

April 21 from 8:30 to 2:30 Volunteer to clean up the Anacostia River with the Anacostia River Watershed's annual Earth Day Cleanup and Celebration. The river is divided into 14 sites, and after the service project, volunteers can join in a poetry jam, entertainment and a trash sculpture contest at Bladensburg Waterfront Park. Free. 4601 Annapolis Rd., Bladensburg. 301-699-6204 orhttp://www.anacostiaws.org.

April 21 from 8:30 to 5 Fifth annual David Klinghard 5K run/walk at Mason Neck State Park in Lorton. The event will also feature kids activities such as hay rides, bird banding, live reptiles and raptors, bird walks and canoe tours. $20 individual, $30 family, corporate $250 race registration; festival is free. 7301 High Point Rd. 703-339-2380 orhttp://www.hartwellfund.com.

April 21 from 9 to 11, April 22 from 2 to 4 Friends of Sligo Creek cleans up the creek in Hyattsville. Children are welcome; bags, gloves and drinking water are provided. 7000 Sligo Creek Pkwy., Takoma Park. 301-681-9686.http://www.fosc.org/fosc.htm.

April 21 from 10 to 4 Quiet Waters Park in Annapolis holds its Earth Day celebration with live music, environmental exhibits, hayrides, face painting and birdhouse making ($5 for kits). Free. 600 Quiet Waters Park Rd., Annapolis. 410-222-1777.http://www.friendsofquietwaterspark.homestead.com.

April 21 from 1 to 4 The Arlington Arts Center offers a Marvelous Mud Earth Day celebration in which children in grades 3 to 5 can learn about art and the environment. Marc Robarge, an artist who uses organic materials for multimedia sculptures, and Catherine Estes, program manager of Project Learning Tree, will lead the class. Free. Registration required. 3550 Wilson Blvd., Arlington. 703-248-6800.http://www.arlingtonartscenter.org.

April 22 from 10 to noon The National Zoo's Earth Day celebration. Visitors can plant 1,000 native saplings, donated by Whole Foods. Free. 3001 Connecticut Ave. NW. 202-633-4800.http://www.fonz.org/earthday.htm.

April 22 from 1 to 4 The Patuxent Research Refuge's North Tract will kick off its annual Weed Warrior program. Volunteers can participate in ground maintenance, such as planting perennials, pulling nonnative invasive weeds, and mulching and chipping trails. National Wildlife Visitor Center, 10901 Scarlet Tanager Loop, Laurel. 301-497-5898 orhttp://www.fws.gov/northeast/patuxent/index.htm.