Take the green living pledge today! You can earn a Green Certificate and make a difference in Arlington. Learn how with the 2008 Green Living Challenge.

Find Green Living Challenge Workshops and Events. The Green Living Home and Garden Tour is Sunday, June 1. New this year: take the Green Home and Garden Tour by bicycle.

BYOBag Kickoff Ceremony. Sunday, May 18, 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Market Commons, 2800 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington. ACE will kickoff our campaign to promote the use of reusable bags. We'll have free ACE Living Green BYOBags for the first 50 visitors.The student winners of our BYOBag poster contest will also be recognized. We need volunteers for our table. Contact us at volunteer@arlingtonenvironment.org or 703-228-6427.

30th Anniversary Gala Planning Committee. If you are interested in helping with ACE's 30th anniversary Hallowgreen celebration which will take on October 23 at the Hilton Arlington in Ballston, attend the next planning committee meeting on Wednesday, May 28 , 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. Java Shack, 2507 N. Franklin Road, Arlington (in Clarendon) or contact us at office@arlingtonenvironment.org or 703-228-6427.

Thrifton Hill Park Cleanup. Saturday, June 7, 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. To honor National Trails Day and Clean the Bay Day, we'll work to remove invasive plants and pick up trash along the Custis Bike Trail and Spout Run. Meet in Thrifton Hill Park (Lorcom Lane and Spout Run Parkway). All are encouraged to bike or walk to the park. For drivers, parking is available in the side parking lot of the Giant grocery store (Lee Hwy & Spout Run Pkwy). Please register at volunteer@arlingtonenvironment.org or 703-228-6406.

Volunteer for Green Living Events. ACE needs volunteers to help staff tables at upcoming green living events on June 14 and June 28. If you can donate an hour or two to help us promote the 2008 Green Living Challenge, BYOBag Campaign, and ACE volunteer opportunities, contact us at office@arlingtonenvironment.org or 703-228-6427.

ACE Solstice Celebration. Thursday, June 19, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Barcroft Park, 4200 S. Four Mile Run Drive, Arlington. An evening to enjoy our long daylight hours with service projects and light refreshments. Meet at the parking garage. Register at volunteer@arlingtonenvironment.org or 703-228-6406.

Green Living Challenge: Workshops & Events

Contact the sponsoring organization for information and registration for the events listed below.

Green Kitchens and Bathrooms. Monday, May 19, 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm. Shirlington Library, 4200 Campbell Ave, Arlington. Find out how smart choices can help you save energy and water, support a healthy indoor environment, make money-wise investments, and reduce your impact on the environment. Free. No reservations required. For more information, call 703-228-3599 or 301-571-8590.

Arlington Green Living Home and Garden Tour. Sunday, June 1, 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. The 6th annual watershed-friendly garden tour will be expanded this year to include green homes with solar elements, green roofs, recycled materials, and energy efficient technologies. The tour will also include beautiful yards and gardens full of native plants, raingardens, rain barrels and cisterns, permeable pavement, wildlife habitat, and other environmentally friendly features. The tour is organized by Arlington County and Arlingtonians for a Clean Environment. Suggested donation is $5, payable at the first site you visit. The tour brochure (PDF) is here or contact us at 703-228-6406 or volunteer@arlingtonenvironment.org.

You are invited to see the Green Living Home and Garden Tour by bicycle. The ride will depart from the south parking lot at East Falls Church Metro station on Sunday, June 1 at 12:30 p.m. and the return route will follow the W&OD Trail back to the starting point, facilitating shorter tours as desired. For information about the ride, contact Allen Muchnick [allenmuchnick@yahoo.com] or 703-271-0895.

Moving Toward Zero Waste at Home. Wednesday, June 4, 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Central Library, 1015 N. Quincy Street, Arlington. This free workshop offers many ideas that will help you reduce household waste through green purchasing, reuse, selling or donating of unwanted items, recycling, and composting. Information about Arlington’s various recycling and hazardous waste programs that support e-waste recycling and safe disposal of compact fluorescent bulbs will be provided. For more information, call 703-228-7866. Virginia Square stop on Metro Orange line.

Full List of Green It Arlington Workshops

2008 rain barrel workshops are filling up fast. You can choose a “Make your own rain barrel” workshop or let us do the work for you and pick up a “Pre-made” rain barrel. Dates for Arlington County workshops will be announced soon.

ACE volunteer events are listed above.