Sustainability

*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 an all plant-based meal at the always popular Sunflower Vegetarian Restaurant in Vienna, VA. We've made a reservation for 20 attendees, so don't delay in RSVPing as this will fill up. You can preview Sunflower's menu [here. ](https://www.crystalsunflower.com/menu) Parking is available in the restaurant's lot and the Vienna Metro station is 1.6 miles away. Rides may be available from attendees with cars so please communicate needs/availability in the comments below. Please note that there is no outdoor dining at this venue and that this is an indoor event. **Update Your RSVP** Out of respect for others interested in attending this limited-space event, please update your RSVP promptly as your schedule changes. **VSDC: More Than A Meetup** We are delighted to have you as part of The Veg Society of DC Vegan Meetup group, and we look forward to seeing you at our events. Did you know that [VSDC](https://vsdc.org/%20) is a nonprofit organization with membership benefits? With VSDC membership, you will save money at area restaurants and businesses, attend VSDC member-only events, and, most importantly, support us as a clear and consistent voice for improving the lives of all beings through community building and education centered on the benefits of a vegan diet and lifestyle. The membership fee is minimal, but the impact is significant! [Join today](https://vsdc.org/membership/)! **Ways to Stay In Touch with Us** Thank you for being part of our Meetup presence and bringing like-minded people together. We invite you to: * Become a [VSDC member](https://vsdc.org/membership/) to save money at area restaurants and support us in being a clear and consistent voice for improving the lives of all beings through community building and education centered on the benefits of a vegan diet and lifestyle. * Sign up for our[ monthly e-newsletter](https://vsdc.org/about/newsletter/) to hear more about our activities. * Follow us on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/vegsocietydc/) or [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/vegsocietydc/) to engage with us. **Interested in Volunteering with VSDC?** VSDC offers many events each month, thanks to the dedication of our event planning team. Would you consider volunteering? To learn more and get started, [please visit our website](https://vsdc.org/volunteer/). **Only Vegan Food, Please** While VSDC welcomes people wherever they are on the path to an all-plant, vegan diet and lifestyle, it is our policy that only vegan food be served and consumed at our events. If you would like to [explore a vegan diet or get support in making lifestyle changes, consider these resources](https://vsdc.org/exploringvegan/). **Liability Waiver and Code of Conduct** When you sign up to attend, you automatically acknowledge [VSDC's Liability Waiver](https://vsdc.org/activity-waiver/) and commit to follow the code of conduct found at [Policies - VSDC - Veg Society of DC](https://vsdc.org/policies/). **VSDC. Creating communities. For your health, the animals, and the planet.**

### 📅 Date & Time: **Saturday, February 21, 2025** **1:00 PM – 2:00 PM EST** *** ### 📍 Location: **Pots & Plants Garden Center** 10106 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls, VA 22066 (This is an **in-person event**.) *** ### 🌱 About This Event: **Don’t have a backyard? No problem!** This free, in-person workshop will show you how to grow real food — herbs, greens, and more — *inside your home*, using compact hydroponic and soil systems with LED grow lights. Whether you're new to gardening or looking to expand your food-growing skills during winter, this session will cover: ✅ Easy-to-use indoor garden setups ✅ LED lighting and hydroponic tips ✅ Local seedling options to save 30+ days of growing time ✅ Real tools you can use — no backyard required! *** ### 🎁 What You'll Get: * Live demonstration of indoor grow systems * Free digital guides to take home * Invite to join the full Indoor Food Growing Training Program (for free!) * Access to local seedling bundle options *** ### 👥 Who Should Attend: * Gardeners without outdoor space * Houseplant lovers curious about growing food * Local families, foodies, and eco-conscious neighbors * Anyone interested in sustainable food and indoor growing systems *** ### 📝 RSVP Info: **Free to attend – please RSVP to save your spot!** Bring a friend or neighbor along! Thank you, Clift --- Chief Community Grower at indoorgardenmarket.com

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)*.

Rockville Vegans will be picking up trash on the outside of Poplar Spring Animal Sanctuary as part of their adopt-a-highway program. Poplar will provide all the supplies - gloves, bags, and visibility vests. We will be parking just inside the gate as you enter the farm property.

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).*

This Happy Hour is devoted to professionals in the Green, Sustainable Energy and Environment; to grow, interact, and learn from each other. It is designed to provide a professional environment to meet other professionals to broaden one's career. It is also for those interested in careers in the sector and are studying or intend to enter the dynamic world of green movement. ***GRAB A BOOZE OR A BITE AND YOU WILL BE SET TO ENJOY THE EVENT. YOU NEED TO GET AT LEAST A DRINK OR FOOD:) To get the event going and show support. We know that you like our events. P.S. : We have non-alcoholic drinks as well.*** We have a tiny venue and we hit capacity often and early arrival is suggested. We have the discretion to decide entry. HOW IT WORKS : We will try to assign areas for each represented INDUSTRIES AND SPECIALIZATIONS; and will direct attendees to their respective tables accordingly. All are welcome! However we don't guarantee the availability of a partner in that particular experience, you would like to exchange. Space is limited and advance ticket purchase is required. PLEASE BRING A BUSINESS CARD. Rules to abide : 1. Event is free and 21+ (bring ID). 2. Be respectful to your counterparts and give them a chance to connect with others as well. 3. We all are professionals in one or two fields and be willing to share your knowledge and experience to others and try to accommodate as much as possible. 4. If you don't belong the other person's required specialization, LEAVE THEM ALONE. 5. Rude or aggressive members are removed from the group at an organizers discretion. 6. This is a face-to-face networking event. DO NOT try to arrange an online meeting, by using the comment box or direct message. 7. Most of our members complained about people writing in the comment box. Since it sends notification to all attendees. If you have any questions, send a message to the organizers. Don't write in the comment box. 8. We have ZERO TOLERANCE for solicitation. We don't allow anyone to run their own agenda at the Event. If you are interested to promote/sponsor/collaborate; contact us via (info@merevents.com). 9. When you get there, we will greet you and take you to your respective group. 10. ***Please be patient for the first 30 minutes, up until we form a group with your respective industry/sector.*** ***AFTER THE SOCIAL, WE HIT THE DANCE FLOOR! BRING YOUR DANCING SHOES, WE WILL DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY!*** \- Come one\, come all; YOU CAN FLY SOLO TOO:\) This is the most friendliest event you have ever attended\! \- Feel free to invite your friends\. They don't necessarily have to be a member \- Celebrate your birthdays or your moments in life with us\. \- For bottle/table service email \(info@[merevents.co](http://merevents.co/)m) or text at (202) 368-1878. \- Event is 21\+ ***N.B. : We have ZERO TOLERANCE for solicitation. We don't allow anyone to run their own agenda at the Event. If you are interested to promote/sponsor/collaborate; contact us via ([info@merevents.com](http://info@merevents.com/)).*** http://photos1.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/a/1/d/1/600_443321425.jpeg http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/d/3/2/b/600_449154059.jpeg http://photos1.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/3/e/7/a/600_448335994.jpeg http://photos1.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/e/0/2/6/600_448197382.jpeg http://photos1.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/d/d/1/7/600_448196599.jpeg http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/3/2/8/e/600_434712942.jpeg http://photos4.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/3/2/9/a/600_434712954.jpeg http://photos4.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/8/1/d/0/event_14553232.jpeg