First Lady Michelle Obama had been planning on getting out into the Washington community this afternoon and doing some work on a habitat improvement project led by the Anacostia Watershed Society at Fort Dupont Park in Ward 7. more ›

Friday is Earth Day – and while you may already have plans to go plant a tree, you may want to consider these other (free) food, drink and event options. more ›

A protest by environmental activists is currently blocking traffic along H Street near 14th Street NW. Of course, Earth Day isn't until April 22, but that's not stopping those attending the Powershift 2011 conference -- during which 10,000 young leaders have come to D.C. "to reclaim our democracy from polluters and lead the way to a clean energy future" -- from getting an early start on proceedings. more ›

Sunday's Earth Day Climate Rally on the National Mall ended up being graced with unexpectedly mild weather -- the predicted rain never fully materialized, so unlike in recent years, the show went on mostly uninterrupted (apart from a bit of a sound system snafu in the middle of a set by The Roots). Here's some of the best images captured by DCist photographers from the rally and concert. more ›

Fresh from DCist's inbox, At-large D.C. Council member and Council Chair candidate Kwame Brown has sent out his official Earth Day message, and it's ... Twitter! Brown, who has been active on Twitter for a few months now, calls for "people across the world to send out 24,860 tweets, a number equal to circumference of the planet, in honor of Earth Day." We're going to assume that's 24,860 people sending one tweet each, and not 24,860 per person. more ›

>> On April 17, the Natural History Museum opens Yuungnaqpiallerput (The Way We Genuinely Live): Masterworks of Yup'ik Science and Survival. The exhibit explores the Yup'ik elders' scientific and spiritual knowledge of living in the sub-arctic environment of western Alaska. See more than 200 19th- and 20th-century tools, articles of clothing, weapons, and watercraft. The Yup'ik solutions for living within such a harsh climate is unsurpassed by Western science. more ›

Assuming the game doesn't get rained out, the Nationals are offering $3 off any ticket worth $10 or more to fans who take Metro to tonight's game, in honor of Earth Day. All you have to do is show your SmarTrip card or paper Metro farecard at the box office to receive your discount. And no, those of you who already bought tickets can't show up at the box office and demand $3—the ticket promotion is good on day of game sales only. more ›

Just in case you were too scared by the prospect of rain -- our sources (and our ability to read a radar screen) tell us that it began to drizzle on the Mall about half an hour ago -- here's what you've missed at today's Green Apple Festival so far: more ›

Kind of upset with the Capital Weather Gang, Umbrella Today, and the planet itself for this notice of rain later today. Will the Earth interrupt the performance that the Flaming Lips et al. are putting on in her honor? Probably not. The headlining Lips are tentatively scheduled to play by 5 p.m.; the District should expect rain tonight, but the chance of showers during the late afternoon is just 30 percent. more ›

Where:1789 Restaurant more ›

For Earth Day last year, DCist looked at how our region could green up its transportation system, and help area residents to reduce how much they drive. This year, we take a look at a new service that could change the way you do -- or don't -- drive. Dealing with global warming is one of the biggest challenges our generation faces, and transportation is a major source of the greenhouse gases that are behind... more ›

This weekend, as Washingtonians celebrated Earth Day with Anacostia River cleanups and tree plantings at the National Zoo, the Post highlighted the Capitol Power Plant, a coal-burning blight to Southeast. Thanks to Senators Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.) and Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), the familiar smokestacks continue to burn coal in the heart of the District, a clear violation of the Clean Air Act. In 2000, when officials wanted to stop using the dirtiest of fossil fuels, the... more ›

FRIDAY: >> Don't forget to check out our guide to the Six Points Music Festival as it takes over the town in its second weekend. We're going to once again heartily recommend you head to Iota to catch Unbuckled alums Middle Distance Runner headline a show that also features Unbuckled alums These United States, plus Pittsburgh's Black Tie Revue. Get there early -- this is going to be a packed house for sure. $10, 9:30... more ›

We know that Earth Day is still two days away, but today we focus on greening our transportation system in the D.C. Metro area. Over the next several decades, the D.C. metro area is expected to grow by 2 million new residents and add 1.6 million new jobs. How we decide to develop our transportation network to accommodate this growth will have a major impact on the region, shaping the urban landscape and quality... more ›

Have you ever bought this book? Well you then probably have some left over electronics when you attempted the "Sonic Phasor Cannon, Electromagnetic Launcher, Tesla Coi [and] Ultrasonic Microphone." For those who have "obsolete electronics," the District will dispose of them free of charge this Saturday. According to the Department of Public Works: Many types of electronics contain significant amounts of potentially hazardous materials such as arsenic, lead and mercury. In the US it is... more ›

In advance of Earth Day on Friday, the District today kicks off its Green Week DC today with Environment and Community Day on Freedom Plaza from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday is Holistic Energy Day at the Reeves Municipal Center at 14th and U streets NW where you'll be able learn more about renewable energy and see GM hydrogen vehicles. Although pretty much a concrete courtyard, Nassif Plaza at the U.S. Department of Transportation... more ›

When DCist saw this photo of a kid wading in the Anacostia River during an Earth Day clean-up in 2001, we were concerned. The Anacostia is dirty and who knows what kinds of skin ailments or worse that can develop when you have direct contact with the water. There is no doubt that the river is one of the nation's dirtiest and most neglected. more ›