Environmental Awareness

18:00 - 18:30 - Gathering & Mingling 🍻 18:30 - 18:45 - Opening Notes 18:45 - 19:15 - **Turning a One-Off Fix into Org-Wide Automation** 19:15 - 19:45 - **Decouple Your Decoupling: Level-up your GitHub workflows** Sponsor and host us for this event - **Melio** \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-**Full-Agenda-Below**\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- **18:30 - 18:45 - Introduction & Community updates** **18:45 - 19:15 - Turning a One-Off Fix into Org-Wide Automation** *by Rotem Gani / Efi Merdler-Kravitz / Chen Amrani* Every engineering team has that moment - a repetitive, error-prone change that needs to be applied across dozens of repositories. Everyone knows it should be automated - but somehow it never is. This talk tells the real story of how one such "annoying but necessary" fix evolved into a fully-fledged Github Copilot Agent powered automation platform used across our organization. **19:15 - 19:45 - Decouple Your Decoupling: Level-up your GitHub workflows** *by Tom Brovender* GitHub Actions has made it easy to automate almost anything, but building CI/CD that truly scales across many repositories and teams is still hard. As projects grow, pipelines tend to become tightly tied to specific repos, environments, and assumptions, which makes change slower and harder than it should be. In this talk, I’ll share how to think about GitHub Actions in a more modular way, so teams can move faster without stepping on each other. You’ll see how small design choices in your workflows can make a big difference in how easy your CI/CD is to grow, maintain, and trust over time.

מוזמנים/ות לסדנת נגרות - אדנית חלון עם חריטת לייזר. במהלך הסדנה נתנסה במיומנויות נגרות בסיסיות: ניסור, שיוף, קדיחה והברגה ונתנסה בעבודה עם עץ, כל הדרך מחומר הגלם ועד אדנית יפייפיה מעשה ידינו, אותה תוכלו לעטר בחריטת לייזר. למבוגרים/ות (16+). מחיר: ₪200 מחיר לתושבי יהוד: ₪150 שימו לב: לא מספיק להרשם במיטאפ יש להרשם גם בקישור הבא , שם תמצאו גם פרטים נוספים https://link.makelab.org.il/Carpentry-window-planter

Join us for some focused writing time. All writers and all experience levels are welcome and don’t worry, no one will see what you've written. This session is about getting your writing done and meeting other writers in your area. When you show up, say hello to everyone, grab a drink, and get your writing tools ready. Once you’re all settled, take some time to chat with your fellow writers. Once everyone’s arrived, I will lead quick introductions and then set the timer for our quiet and focused writing session. Afterward, we’ll have time to chat and get to know each other. We often talk about our successes and challenges as writers. If you don’t have time to stick around, no worries! **A note about the format** We don’t host critiques or readings. These events are a safe space for writers of all skill levels and genres to work on their craft, so no one will read or critique your writing. For our full event schedule, visit [https://shutupwrite.com](https://shutupwrite.com). **Other Important Details:** WiFi name/password: TBD Venue Guidelines: Please thank our hosts by purchasing something.

18:00 - 18:30 - Gathering & Mingling 🍻 18:30 - 18:45 - Opening Notes 18:45 - 19:15 - **Turning a One-Off Fix into Org-Wide Automation** 19:15 - 19:45 - **Decouple Your Decoupling: Level-up your GitHub workflows** Sponsor and host us for this event - **Melio** \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-**Full-Agenda-Below**\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- **18:30 - 18:45 - Introduction & Community updates** **18:45 - 19:15 - Turning a One-Off Fix into Org-Wide Automation** *by Rotem Gani / Efi Merdler-Kravitz / Chen Amrani* Every engineering team has that moment - a repetitive, error-prone change that needs to be applied across dozens of repositories. Everyone knows it should be automated - but somehow it never is. This talk tells the real story of how one such "annoying but necessary" fix evolved into a fully-fledged Github Copilot Agent powered automation platform used across our organization. **19:15 - 19:45 - Decouple Your Decoupling: Level-up your GitHub workflows** *by Tom Brovender* GitHub Actions has made it easy to automate almost anything, but building CI/CD that truly scales across many repositories and teams is still hard. As projects grow, pipelines tend to become tightly tied to specific repos, environments, and assumptions, which makes change slower and harder than it should be. In this talk, I’ll share how to think about GitHub Actions in a more modular way, so teams can move faster without stepping on each other. You’ll see how small design choices in your workflows can make a big difference in how easy your CI/CD is to grow, maintain, and trust over time.

מוזמנים/ות לסדנת נגרות - אדנית חלון עם חריטת לייזר. במהלך הסדנה נתנסה במיומנויות נגרות בסיסיות: ניסור, שיוף, קדיחה והברגה ונתנסה בעבודה עם עץ, כל הדרך מחומר הגלם ועד אדנית יפייפיה מעשה ידינו, אותה תוכלו לעטר בחריטת לייזר. למבוגרים/ות (16+). מחיר: ₪200 מחיר לתושבי יהוד: ₪150 שימו לב: לא מספיק להרשם במיטאפ יש להרשם גם בקישור הבא , שם תמצאו גם פרטים נוספים https://link.makelab.org.il/Carpentry-window-planter

Join us for some focused writing time. All writers and all experience levels are welcome and don’t worry, no one will see what you've written. This session is about getting your writing done and meeting other writers in your area. When you show up, say hello to everyone, grab a drink, and get your writing tools ready. Once you’re all settled, take some time to chat with your fellow writers. Once everyone’s arrived, I will lead quick introductions and then set the timer for our quiet and focused writing session. Afterward, we’ll have time to chat and get to know each other. We often talk about our successes and challenges as writers. If you don’t have time to stick around, no worries! **A note about the format** We don’t host critiques or readings. These events are a safe space for writers of all skill levels and genres to work on their craft, so no one will read or critique your writing. For our full event schedule, visit [https://shutupwrite.com](https://shutupwrite.com). **Other Important Details:** WiFi name/password: TBD Venue Guidelines: Please thank our hosts by purchasing something.

We get together to rescue trees from invasive plants twice a month, moving from place to place around Greater Clifton, wherever we spot a problem and have the landowners' permission. RSVP using [this sign-up form.](https://www.google.com/url?q=https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeasjEcOQm5v8afwJdriU65Wj8-Q0DetQy4HRKiFNwgwFPy7Q/viewform?usp%3Ddialog&sa=D&source=calendar&usd=2&usg=AOvVaw1cfet73DRGhpOU4ltw9MoF) This time we will work in the Clifton Betterment Association property in the floodplain of Pope's Head Creek. (Set GPS for 7137 Main Streeet but cross the creek and turn into the big parking lot)

Join our partners Watermark Woods Native Plants, Loudoun County Public Library (LCPL), and Birch Tree Bookstore for the Read! Plant! Grow! Book Club, which focuses on native plants, sponsored by Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy and LCPL. At this meeting we’ll discuss the book Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver. Both memoir and journalistic investigation, this book explores how the Kingsolver family took on a new challenge: to spend a year on a locally -produced diet, paying close attention to the provenance of all they consume. Concerned about the environmental, social, and physical costs of American food culture, they hoped to recover what Kingsolver considers our nation’’s lost appreciation for farms and the natural processes of food production. You can either buy the book from Birch Tree Bookstore or contact Allison Forbes at [Allison.forbes@loudoun.gov](mailto:Allison.forbes@loudoun.gov) to borrow a copy of the book at the library. There are two ways to participate: attend the event online via the library website or [sign up to participate in person at Birch Tree Bookstore](https://www.birchtreebookstore.com/event-details/read-plant-grow-2026-02-24-18-30). ***Questions:*** *Contact [info@loudounwildlife.org](mailto:info@loudounwildlife.org)*.

*Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy registration requested at* [The Disappearance and Persistence of Bees (Virtual) - Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy](https://loudounwildlife.org/event/persistent-native-bees/) The demise and disappearance of bees is well documented, yet bees still persist. Wildlife biologist Sam Droege shares a more nuanced look at the current state of native bees based on his research. This presentation is co-sponsored by the Loudoun County Public Library and Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy. ***Questions:*** *Contact [info@loudounwildlife.org](mailto:info@loudounwildlife.org)*.

Join us for February's Reboot Hour—a feel-good evening celebrating community, connection, and our shared love for the planet. This month, we're embracing the spirit of Valentine's Day by spreading love to the tech that connects us all. What's Reboot Hour? A monthly gathering where anyone and everyone from the DMV can come together—whether you're a DMV professional, startup founder, sustainability advocate, tech community member, or simply someone who wants to meet people and chill. No judgment, no pressure, just genuine connection with people who want to make the world a better place. This Month's Theme: Love Your Tech We're celebrating how the devices we use every day connect us to the people we love and the planet we protect. Learn why electronics circularity matters for people, planet, and country—and discover how you can make an impact by donating just one device (or a whole box!). What to Expect: ✨ Casual, fun atmosphere with real people who care 🛡️ Learn why electronics circularity is so important ♻️ Discover how donating an unused device creates real impact 💪 Meet DMV professionals, founders, advocates, and community members 🎁 Easy lift: bring one device to donate—or bring a box! Event Details: 📍 Carpool, Ballston 📅 Tuesday, February 24th ⏰ 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm 🍺 Drinks & snacks available at a cash bar! We Meet Every Month! Reboot Hour happens monthly, and we also hold collection events with community partners all over the DMV—like at the upcoming DC Tech Meetup in March and during DC Climate Week in April. Learn More & Get Involved: Visit www.eWasteWarriors.org to learn more about our mission, upcoming events, and volunteer opportunities. You can help make an impact in your community—no experience necessary! We are Guardians of technology, protectors of the planet. Relove your tech with us! 🛡️♻️

Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy registration at [Birding Banshee - Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy](https://loudounwildlife.org/event/birding-banshee-february/) Whether you’re a beginning birder or an expert, you’ll be thrilled by the many bird species you’ll find at **[Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve](http://www.loudounwildlife.org/Great_Places_Banshee_Reeks.htm)** south of Leesburg. Join Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy and Friends of Banshee Reeks for the monthly bird walk at this birding hot spot. Bring binoculars if you have them. ***Registration required.*** \*\*\*Questions: \*\*\**Contact Joe Coleman at [jcoleman@loudounwildlife.org](mailto:jcoleman@loudounwildlife.org).*

It's supposed to warm up a little heading into the Valentine's Day weekend so it's perfect weather to weed a park. We are NPS Weed Warriors and Arlington Regional Master Naturalists and you should volunteer with us on Sunday, February 15 to learn about nature and remove invasive plants from everyone's favorite urban island. Meet us at the entrance to the bridge (on the parking lot side, look for the sign) at 10:00 and bring your garden gloves and loppers/pruners if you have them. If not, we can provide gloves and tools. Wear long sleeves and pants and don't forget a water bottle. We will have tasks ranging from easy (cutting English ivy and honeysuckle vines from trees) to hard (sawing down bush honeysuckle). Parking at TRI can be tight if it's a pretty day. When the parking lot is full, you can park in Rosslyn and take the trail down. If you can bike or walk or take public transit, that's wonderful. We'll see you there! Erica, Stephanie, and Heidi P.S. If you can't wait until then to RIP (Remove Invasive Plants!), go here to find more volunteer opportunities in Arlington parks: [Volunteer to Restore Native Habitat – Arlington Regional Master Naturalists (armn.org)](https://armn.org/volunteer-opportunities/)

Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy registration required at [Birding Algonkian - Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy](https://loudounwildlife.org/event/birding-algonkian-feb/) Join Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy on a search for birds at Loudoun’s top birding hotspot, ***[Algonkian Regional Park](https://loudounwildlife.org/2016/11/algonkian-park/)*** in eastern Loudoun, for the monthly bird walk. Combining extensive frontage along the Potomac River, rich bottomland forests, wetlands, and extensive grassy areas, this can be a very productive place to bird. Bring binoculars if you have them. We’ll meet at the boat ramp next to the parking lot. ([Boat ramp location.](https://goo.gl/maps/Pz1S69mqSuX1z3FW8)) ***Registration required.*** ***Questions:*** *Contact [bhenson@loudounwildlife.org](mailto:bhenson@loudounwildlife.org).*