Community Overview
Take a stroll down any downtown Bethesda street, and you’ll know that this is one of the most vibrant communities in the National Capital region. It’s a bustling business center, a cultural hub, a popular destination, and a thriving and varied place to call home, all within minutes of downtown DC.
-
World-class restaurants next to trendy boutiques.
-
Bethesda Row pedestrian mall with a year-round weekly farmers market.
-
Montgomery County government managing great schools and a host of sustainable services.
-
An arts and entertainment district packed with art galleries, live theatres, public art displays, and music and dance studios.
-
Special street festivals managed by Bethesda Urban Partnership (BUP) that draw tens of thousands – Taste of Bethesda, Imagination Bethesda children's fair, and more.
-
Top-notch biking and walking trails; Metro rail and plenty of bus lines including the free Bethesda Circulator.
The Bethesda community is a model for sustainable economic growth and living practices. Bethesda Green leverages existing assets and incubates new green initiatives to transform business, government and community. Bethesda Green invites residents, local business leaders, government employees, students, non-profits, and faith-based groups to get involved. Building on existing networks, we create a "multiplier" effect to achieve greater results and help make Bethesda a leader in environmental sustainability.
Residents and Citizens Associations
Bethesda Green connects with citizens groups -- from neighborhood and condo associations to renters' groups -- to share information and best practices. Many groups already work around sustainability issues, and we want to connect with you, through community leaders, local newsletters, and more.
Businesses in Bethesda
Many local businesses recognize the benefits of transitioning to green business practices. Bethesda Green educates businesses on becoming green and showcases innovation and forward thinking in the community. Working closely with the BCC Chamber of Commerce and its members, Bethesda Green is active in the formation of the Chamber’s Green Committee working group.
Business relationships are collaborative, and we provide various sponsor opportunities to get involved with our programs.
Government
A successful transition to a sustainable economy requires leadership, and funding, from government at different levels. Investment in government spending and appropriately structuring the tax system (incentives) can help move the economy from one focused on short-term profit and growth to one focused on long-term environmental and economic health.
Montgomery County government recognizes the growing importance of sustainability and green principles and has taken an active role in promoting sound initiatives.
Bethesda Green partners with different branches of government to implement programs and highlights those already in existence.
Bethesda's Schools
Schools can provide a healthy environment for students and staff, while promoting sustainability. By using alternatives to toxic chemicals, pursuing green building and maintenance practices, reducing waste, serving nutritious food, encouraging walking as opposed to riding, and teaching students to be stewards of their communities, schools play a vital role in initiating change.
Bethesda Green connects with both public and private schools to encourage the introduction of green programs, from recycling to energy efficiency. We work with Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) as well as local school administrations, teachers, PTAs and of course the students and parents directly.
Non-Profits
Bethesda Green recognizes the value of collaboration with other like-minded organizations and welcomes the opportunity to partner with them to promote green and sustainable initiatives throughout Bethesda and the region.
Opportunities for collaboration include exchange of products and services, sharing volunteers, event management, marketing support, financial support, and coordination of events calendars, among many other cross-promotional possibilities.
Faith-based
Bethesda Green partners with faith-based communities and shares their message of hope for a more just, sustainable and healthier world with all its constituencies.