For Immediate Release: Tuesday, March 31, 2026
DEP Hosts Environment-Friendly Events and Activities Throughout April
This April, the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) invites the community to celebrate Earth Month with a lineup of activities that inspire sustainable living and environmental stewardship. Throughout the month, residents can take part in hands-on events such as the 11th Annual GreenFest, Mending Labs and Clothing Swaps, the Leaf Blower Trade-In, community cleanups, and the two-day Montgomery County Energy Summit.
“Earth Month comes at a time when we’re seeing efforts at the federal level to roll back decades of progress on environmental protection and climate science,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “That makes what we do locally even more important. In Montgomery County, we’re continuing to move forward by reducing emissions, investing in clean energy, and giving residents practical ways to be part of that work. The events throughout April are a chance for people to get involved in ways that are tangible and immediate. Whether it’s making changes at home, learning something new, or showing up in the community, those actions add up and they matter.”
DEP will host events, activities, and celebrations designed to inspire action, promote sustainability and encourage environmental stewardship, including:
- Ask an EV Owner: 7:30-8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 1, online. Join EV Owners of Greater Washington, D.C., for this online session. Are you shopping for an EV? Do you have questions about your new EV? Or are you just curious about EVs? If so, this event is for you.
- Mending Lab and Clothing Swaps: 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, April 9, at the Rockville Library and from 3:30-5:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 18, at the Germantown Library. Learn to repair clothing to extend garment life, reduce waste, and support sustainable living. Attendees may also participate in a clothing swap, with all unclaimed items donated afterward.
- Gas-to-Electric Leaf Blower Trade-In – registration required: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday, April 11 in Rockville. Times will be assigned upon registration, and more details will also be provided. Residents with a working gas leaf blower may trade it in for a working electric leaf blower. This program is not open to businesses or landscapers.
- Earth Month Big Spring Cleanup: 9-11 a.m. on Saturday, April 11, at the corner of Oakview Drive and E. Light Drive in Silver Spring. Cleanup supplies will be provided. Students can earn SSL hours. Visit the DEP calendar to register.
- Stormwater Solutions and Sustainable Design for Home Landscapes Workshop (in Spanish): 10 a.m.-noon on Saturday, April 11, at Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallen Ave., Wheaton. Learn how conservation landscapes, rain gardens, and native plants can manage stormwater, support wildlife, and help homeowners qualify for programs such as RainScapes Rewards and Tree Montgomery.
- GreenFest: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday, April 26, at the BlackRock Center for the Arts, 12901 Town Commons Drive, Germantown. DEP will celebrate the 11th Annual GreenFest, with battery collection, art projects, Harriet Tubman Freedom Walk exhibit, and more.
- Energy Summit – registration required: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. on Tuesday, April 28, and Wednesday, April 29, at the Silver Spring Civic Building, located at 1 Veterans Plaza, in Silver Spring. The Montgomery County Energy Summit provides education on green building, energy efficiency, renewable energy, and related topics for professionals across the DMV region.
- Evaluating Stormwater Solutions for Home Landscapes Workshop: 7-9 p.m. on Thursday, April 30, online. Learn how environmentally friendly landscapes, conservation landscapes, and rain gardens can help manage stormwater on residential properties. This webinar will cover steps for planning a RainScape, including evaluating a site and determining the best type and scale of project.
DEP hosts other programs taking place in April and throughout the year:
“Protecting our air, water, and land is something every resident can take part in,” said DEP Director Jennifer Macedonia. “DEP is committed to building a healthier, more sustainable Montgomery County, but meeting these goals requires all of us. We appreciate and celebrate the communities, local businesses, and individuals we work with who are helping to lead meaningful action across the County. Earth Month is a great reminder that environmental stewardship doesn’t stop in April, it’s a year‑round effort. I invite everyone to get involved this month as we work together toward a cleaner, brighter future.”
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In addition to these DEP events, DEP staff will participate in more than 200 community and school events throughout the County celebrating Earth Month every day in April.
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