The Eco-Forum Comes to DC

Posted on by Sacha Cohen

Tired of “Green Networking Events” that are more about socializing and job hunting than truly connecting with other eco leaders? So were the folks over at Go Green Expo, so they have started organizing regional networking groups that focus on bringing together executives from the sustainability world in a more intimate setting.

With a focus on building relationships and education, the eco-forum is an opportunity for innovative thought leaders, business entrepreneurs, and senior executives from all disciplines in the green space to mingle and learn from each other.

The first DC event takes place at Sonoma Restaurant and Wine Bar on Tuesday July 27th at 6 pm.

Keynote speakers include Christophe Tulou, Director of the District Department of the Environment and Jeff Blankman, Sustainable Manufacturing Manager for McCormick & Company.

Complimentary gourmet and organic passed hors d’oeuvres will be served for all three hours, along with organic signature cocktails courtesy of Philadelphia Distiller and Parducci organic wine.


Apply to attend today (please put “grassfed media” in the “how did you hear about us field”). Cost is $75 and admission is based on corporate affiliation and is only granted to director and C-Level executives, business owners, CSR executives, sustainability executives, and non-profit leaders.

Eco-Forum Regional Founding Members:

Keith Anderson, Head of the D.C. Energy Office
Christopher O’Brien, Director of the Office of Sustainability for George Washington University
Megan Chapple-Brown, Director of the Office of Sustainability for American University
Christophe Tulou, Director of the District Department of the Environment
Charles Dean Connor, President & CEO, American Lung Association
Sacha Cohen, Principal & Founder, grassfed media llc
Eli Hengst, Sonoma Restaurant & Wine Bar
Jeff Blankman, Sustainable Manufacturing Manager for McCormick & Company
Jared Rager, Sonoma Restaurant & Wine Bar

Eco Women, Green Drinks, and More May Events

Posted on by Sacha Cohen

Keeping up with all of the green happenings around DC is practically a full-time job. Luckily for you, dear reader, we’ve taken the legwork out of finding the most worthwhile eco-related events in May. Here are our picks:

Emerging Green Builders at Hands On DC’s Annual Work-a-Thon
When: Saturday May 15 9am-3pm
Emerging Green Builder’s May volunteer event is the Hands on DC’s annual Work-a-thon to help beautify DC Public Schools.  To join the EGB team, visit Hands On DC and choose the team name “Emerging Green Builders” when registering.

EcoHour: Balancing an Urban Lifestyle with Healthful Habits: Mind, Body & Spirit
When: May 18th, 6pm to 8 pm
Where: Teasim, 400 8th St., NW
If you are looking for some tips for how to balance your life in a healthful way, you won’t want to miss this EcoHour! Mary Kearns, owner of Herban Lifestyle, inspires others to live life in a healthful, balanced way. The mission of Mary’s company is to promote beauty and self-care while supporting the health and well-being of people and the planet through high-quality bath and body products handcrafted with natural, organic, and Fair Trade ingredients. RSVP by emailing: RSVP@Ecowomen.org.

Green Drinks DC
When:May 18th, 6:30-9:30
Where: Local 16, 1602 U Street NW
A monthly gathering of green-minded folks that features a 10-minute spotlight, networking galore, and happy hour drink specials. Local 16 is 100% Wind Powered and uses some ingredients from Whipple Farms, a 160-acre farm in Virginia offering heirloom vegetables using biodynamic principles. This year, GreenDrinksDC is raising $3,050 to cover solar lanterns for the Khengarpar community in India that is currently without electricity.

Bike to Work Day
When: May 21st, beginning at 6:30 am
Join the Bethesda Transportation Solutions staff and Maryland State Delegate Bill Bronrott at the Bethesda pit stop (Reed Street, at the corner of Bethesda Ave & Woodmont Ave).  Attendees will enjoy breakfast, prizes, DJ entertainment, bike tune-ups on site by REI and City Bikes, and more, all for FREE! Register in advance online.

Cocktails for Creatures
When: May 21st, 6:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m
Where: FunXion, 1309 F St., NW
Organized by Nightlife to Nature, this fundraiser and silent auction will raise money for the Jaguar Sanctuary de Playa Chiquita and Global Volunteer Network. The event will feature comedian Tehran SoParvaz, magician David Breth, and Haitian percussionist Names Thompson. Complimentary hors d’oeuvres  and organic wine will be provided. Suggested donation is $10.

EcoTour: Green Buildings
When: Saturday May 22, 2010 – 9:00 am to 2:00 pm
The U.S. Green Building Council’s EcoTour will highlight two to three sustainable, LEED-rated buildings and methods in DC. Participants will need to bring lunch as well as a bike since the tour covers 5 to 8 miles. Please RSVP: ncr-egb.cochair@gmail.com

Gristle Book Party and Climate Lab Turns One

Posted on by Sacha Cohen

Wednesday April 7th

Book Party for Gristle

Moby and Miyun Park, the executive director of the Global Animal Partnership, have brought together 15 contributors in an informative collection that examines how industrial farming is affecting the way we live.

Contributors run the gamut from John Mackey, CEO of Whole Foods, to Lauren Bush, model and co-founder of FEED Projects. There are vegans, vegetarians, and omnivores alike and topics such as big government, parenting, occupational safety, and more.

Cost: Free
When: 6:30-8
Where: Busboys and Poets, 2021 14th St., NW

Win a copy of Gristle!
Follow @GoingGreenDC and tweet “RT and follow for a chance to win a copy of Gristle–the new book from Moby from GoingGreenDC” for a chance to win one of five books.

Five winners will be selected using Random.org by 5pm EST on April 9th, 2010. One entry per person (duplicate entries will be deleted). Winners will be contacted via email after contest has ended.  Book ships via publisher to U.S. addresses only.

Climate Lab’s First Birthday Party

Climate Lab, a DC-based non-profit, has been running a climate change wiki site for one year, providing a platform for collaborating and sharing information on climate related issues. The party will feature a live band, food, drink specials, and birthday cake. Learn more on the group’s Facebook page.

Cost: $10 suggested donation.
When: 6:30-9:30pm
Where: Local 16, 1602 U St., NW

Low-Impact Gift Ideas

Posted on by Sacha Cohen

This guest blog post was written by contributor Alison Drucker.

The greenest holiday gift of all is the one that doesn’t come in a box. Reduce the environmental impact of your holiday shopping this year with gifts that don’t require wasteful packaging, have not been shipped from China, and won’t add more clutter to your loved ones’ lives.

Try some of these non-material gift ideas – which can be experienced, consumed, and enjoyed with a lower environmental footprint.

For your significant other

Take your better half on a weekend getaway to a D.C. bed and breakfast. Also within a short drive or train ride into neighboring states are farms, wineries, ski areas, lakes, and other locations where romantic B&Bs abound. Look for environmentally-conscious lodging through the U.S. Green Building Council, ENERGY STAR, Virginia Green Lodging, or iStayGreen.

For a friend

Give your pal some tickets to a concert or sporting event – if you’re lucky, maybe you’ll be invited along. Check the schedules for local venues like the 9:30 Club and Black Cat, or get an open-ended gift certificate redeemable for any show at Wolf Trap. There are also still plenty of Caps and Wizards games left this season. If you don’t want to commit your friend to a specific date, an IOU always works. 

For your parents

Get Mom a gift certificate for a spa treatment, or treat the folks to a good meal out with a gift certificate to a local restaurant. For ideas, check out our list of local eco-friendly spas and restaurants, or search the LocalHarvest and Green Restaurant Association databases for establishments in other areas.

For the kids

Savings bonds have always been a common gift for kids, but Planting Empowerment puts a new twist on them with the Forest Savings Bond. $100 buys 5 ½ hardwood trees, which are planted on deforested tropical land to help restore it; when Planting Empowerment begins to sustainably harvest and sell the timber, your gift recipient will receive the returns from the investment. Or, adopt a species at the National Zoo – the donation supports animal care, medication, and equipment.

For your office Secret Santa

For a caffeine junkie, get a gift certificate to a local coffee shop like Java Green or a selection of organic teas from D.C.’s Teaism. An iTunes gift certificate can go a long way even if you only spend ten bucks; if you’re looking to spend a bit more, get an eMusic gift subscription of 60 song downloads for $30.

Totally stumped?

What do you get for the person who has everything? How about the absence of something – the greenhouse gas emissions from her holiday travels or a year of her life? You can buy carbon offsets from companies such as Native Energy, Terrapass, or Silver Spring-based Carbonfund. Your purchase supports renewable energy projects or methane capture and storage, helping to balance the environmental impacts of your gift recipient’s lifestyle.

Green Events: December

Posted on by Sacha Cohen

Still feeling the sour aftertaste of 2009? Get into the holiday spirit with these three fun eco-fab events.

Monday December 7th

Kickoff to Copenhagen 2009 Holiday Mixer

Join the DC Green Connection and CarbonfreeDC for the “Kickoff to Copenhagen” holiday mixer. Learn about what’s going on at the Copenhagen Climate Change discussions from climate policy expert Will Gartshore, enjoy Restaurant 1905’s  cocktails and food samples, and network with other greenminded Washingtonians.

There will also be a small silent auction with proceeds going to support CarbonfreeDC’s efforts to green low-income neighborhoods as well as to promote the DCGC mission of educating consumers and growing the green economy.

When:  December 7, 2009, 6:00-9:0o pm
Where: 1905 9th St. NW, upstairs (*Near U St. Cardoza Metro stop on 9th & U)
Tickets: $15 General, $12 DCGC Members. Includes one free drink, appetizers, and drink specials all evening. (Cash/check at the door)
RSVP: dcgreenconnection@gmail.com

Tuesday December 8th

Green Drinks

The monthly gathering is back–this time at Farmers & Fishers. Adrienne Spahr, Founder of Green Living Consulting will offering green holiday tips.

When: Tuesday, December 8th, 6:30-9:30 pm
Where: Farmers & Fishers (formerly Agraria) on the Georgetown Waterfront (Fountain Level), 3000 K St. NW
RSVP: Green Drinks on Facebook

Tuesday December 15th

DC EcoWomen Holiday Party

Join the DC EcoWomen (and men, this time) for a happy hour and networking event. Enjoy light appetizers and a cash bar at one of DC’s leading sustainable restaurants, Farmers & Fishers.

When: Tuesday, December 15th, 6:00-8:00 pm
Where: Farmers & Fishers (formerly Agraria) on the Georgetown Waterfront, 3000 K St. NW (in the Sunflower Room)
RSVP: Strongly encouraged through the group’s Facebook Event Page. If you’re not a Facebook member, RSVP to rsvp@ecowomen.org.