by Julia Kampelman Stevenson DC’s new street and alleyway lighting replacement project will give neighborhoods the potential to control their own light levels. In addition to reducing carbon emissions and costs, this automated system provides an opportunity to develop area-specific light plans that focus light where needed and not elsewhere. It is consequential, though, that […]
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If you have leafy new neighbors, it’s time to offer them something to drink
Did a new neighbor put down roots near you recently? Tall? Thin? Quiet, with kind of a wooden personality? You, my friend, have a new street tree. And it’s high time you offered it some hospitality. Joking aside, we’re getting into a critical period for young street trees. From May through at least September, these […]
DC’s tree canopy loss equal to the size of the National Mall: Casey Trees analysis
The District lost one percent of its total tree canopy between 2015 and 2020, a net loss that would have shaded an area equal to the National Mall, said Casey Trees. The nonprofit’s analysis of data collected during that period found tree cover shading 37 percent of the city, down from 38 percent in 2015, […]
ANC 3F asks Mayor Bowser, NPS to pause permits for Soapstone sewer work
by Marlene Berlin ANC 3F is taking its concerns about DC Water’s Soapstone Valley sewer rehabilitation project to the mayor. The commissioners voted at their January 18th meeting on a resolution urging Mayor Muriel Bowser to use her authority, similar to a temporary injunction, to suspend permitting for the project. The resolution also calls on […]
Opinion: Take the lawn and garden ‘Hippocratic Oath’ and give leaf blowers the boot
by Kathy Sykes Some good news – the DC ban on gas-powered leaf blowers goes into effect on January 1st, 2022. Until September 30th, 2022, DC is offering rebates for electric leaf blowers purchased: $75 for commercial-sized blowers and $50 for residential ones. However, my hope is that after reading this article you will choose […]
Opinion: Upcoming Soapstone sewer work will use a method that’s toxic to humans and the environment. There is another way.
by Marjorie L. Share DC Water is about to undertake a major project in our backyard in the name of environmental protection, but its methods will impose unnecessary risks upon our community. These risks can be avoided, and a solution exists. About 6,100 linear feet of century-old sewer infrastructure runs through Soapstone Valley, a national […]
Rock Creek Park deer management under way through March
The National Park Service begins a new Rock Creek Park “deer management” season at sundown, and its efforts to curb the park’s whitetail deer population will continue through March 2022. The hunters are U.S. Department of Agriculture biologists, which the Park Service says are also highly trained firearms experts. They are equipped with infrared heat […]
This highly effective and attractive green infrastructure system is free for DC homeowners
by Marlene Berlin Homeowners and apartment property managers can make all kinds of green infrastructure improvements, such as installing rain gardens, rain barrels and permeable paving. But one of the best and long-lasting green infrastructure investments we can make is to plant trees. Tree canopies reduce stormwater erosion by reducing the force of the falling […]
In the Garden: Nature gives us a free yard care gift every fall
by Kathy Sykes Fall provides a great opportunity to suppress weeds and provide essential nutrients for next year’s yard and garden. But there is no need to spend money on mulch and fertilizer. Mother Nature is about to provide both. Fallen leaves are a free resource with many benefits. They create an organic layer, providing […]
See what Knollwood is doing to capture and clean stormwater runoff
Over the years, we’ve seen the damage excess stormwater can do to our parks and streams, and to infrastructure including trails, roads and our Metro system, so whenever we hear about new and local mitigation efforts… let’s just say our ears perk up. Knollwood, the independent and assisted living community for seniors who have served […]