FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 14, 2009    

Eco-City Alexandria Environmental Action Plan Café Scheduled for March 19
Help Build Alexandria’s Long-Term Environmental Future

Are you passionate about protecting the environment, reducing pollution, or improving access to public transportation? If so, the City of Alexandria and the Environmental Policy Commission invite you to attend the Environmental Action Plan Café on Thursday, March 19, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Lee Center, 1108 Jefferson St.

At this event, residents will have the opportunity to provide feedback and input regarding the draft of the Environmental Action Plan, Phase II, which focuses on long term goals and policies.  This document is being developed to fulfill the vision of the Environmental Charter and builds upon the first phase of the Environmental Action Plan, which focused on short-term goals and actions. The Environmental Charter is part of the Eco-City Alexandria initiative, a strategic, collaborative environmental planning process, was developed by the City in partnership with Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University’s Department of Urban Affairs and Planning and the Environmental Policy Commission. The Eco-City Environmental Charter—the first of its kind in Northern Virginia—was adopted by City Council in June 2008 and the Environmental Action Plan, Phase I was adopted in January of this year.

The Environmental Action Plan, Phase II, focuses on Alexandria’s environmental future over the next 15 to 20 years. It will establish specific policy objectives, identify programs and resources, set timelines, and develop measures of success. The Environmental Action Plan, Phases I and II will both serve as environmental planning tools and road maps for City leaders, City staff, citizens, and the entire community.

The Environmental Policy Commission needs your ideas and input on how the Environmental Action Plan, Phase II will shape Alexandria’s environmental future from 2009 until 2030. Written comments regarding the Eco-City Alexandria initiative may be e-mailed to Eco-CityAlexandria@alexandriava.gov or submitted to the Office of Environmental Quality, City Hall, 301 King Street, Room 3000, Alexandria, Virginia, 22314.

Mark your calendar for these upcoming Eco-City Alexandria events:
 
• March 19, 2009 Eco-City Environmental Action Plan Café
6 p.m. – 9 p.m., Nannie J. Lee Center, 1108 Jefferson St. 

• April 25, 2009 Alexandria Earth Day Celebration
10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Ben Brenman Park, 5000 Duke St.

• May 11, 2009 Eco-City Environmental Action Plan Open House
6 p.m. – 9 p.m., Charles Houston Recreation Center, 905 Wythe St.

For more information about Eco-City Alexandria, please visit www.alexandriava.gov/Eco-City or e-mail Eco-CityAlexandria@alexandriava.gov.
www.alexandriava.gov