The Town of
Cottage City
United in Diversity
Getting Involved
There are many ways to help Cottage City go greener!
Here are some ways you can get involved and help our planet and community.
Join the Green Team
Our team meets monthly to plan events and learn how to green our town and help residents go greener. We also host bimonthly meetings with our sister community the Colmar Manor Green Team.
If you are interested in joining, attending a joint meeting or have questions, contact Green Team Member and Cottage City Comissioner Wanda Wheatley at ward3commissioner@cottagecitymd.gov. There is more information down below.
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We are in collaboration with Colmar Manor's Green Team to work on environmental projects and to learn more about the threats to our health and communities due to climate change.
Cottage City Community Garden
Many thanks to the Cottage City residents who volunteer many hours to make our garden a beautiful and healthy place to relax, gather and grow organic food. We celebrate our accomplishments with this anniversary video:
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To support our efforts you can purchase a garden t-shirt here.
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To receive regular updates from the garden sign up here.
Get Updated
Join the Cottage City Newsletter!
Our newsletter provides updates on town events, services and meetings. You can sign up to receive email notices here.
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Like us on Facebook as well here.
Meet our Green Team
Green Team Chair, Cottage City Commissioner
WANDA WHEATLEY
is Chair of the Green Team and is the Cottage City Commissioner Chair. As the Green Team Chair, she is the team’s liaison with Sustainable Maryland and the town. She also looks for sustainable projects and grants for the Green Team and she is a member of the Cottage City Community Garden.
EPA Staffer
BARBARA KLIEFORTH
is a retired EPA scientist, active in the Community Garden, and is an avid cyclist and kayaker. She is active on the tree canopy committee.
Product Manager
ANNE MCINTYRE RIVERA
is a Master Gardener lending her expertise to the Community Garden and the Baywise Certification for our town’s residents
Resident
COLLEEN KELLEY
is a 30+ year Cottage City resident. She is excited to get involved with the Green Team and help out in a more official way than her individual volunteer stints for the Anacostia Watershed Society's "Catch" Trash Sorting, the River Terrace Boom Installation, and Earth Day activities.
NATASHA DAVIS
Cottage City Beekeeper
is the Cottage City Garden Beekeeper, former Cottage City Commissioner and is active in the Community Garden
KRIS PRENDERGAST
Federal Government Contractor
is a federal government contractor and avid gardener and sustainability advocate in our town.
DENISE HAMLER
Resident
is retired from Green America and is a Postpartum Doula and environmentalist/social justice organizer assisting in Cottage City food giveaways, river cleanups and Community Garden.
BILL KOPECKY
Resident
is retired and is always stepping up to help with activities in the town and at the Community Garden.
STACEY KING
Transportation Demand Management Specialist
is a new resident to Cottage City but is enjoying building a native garden and raised vegetable beds. She enjoys riding bikes with her boyfriend and dog, is a League Cycling Instructor, and serves on the DC-area Alzheimer's Association's Ride to End ALZ committee.
Take the Green Challenge
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Resolve to be Greener and Save the Planet!
Here are easy steps to go greener in your home and lead a healthier life:
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Adopt the 4 Rs in your home: Recycle – Reuse – Reduce – Repurpose.
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Buy local organic produce at farmers markets and grocery stores.
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Try Meatless Mondays - a movement to eat less meat.
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Join the Cottage City Community Garden and learn to grow and eat more fresh veggies.
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Reduce food waste - about 40% of all food is wasted - do your part to waste less.
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Take a walk around the neighborhood - get exercise and say hi to your neighbors.
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Compost your kitchen and yard waste.
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Stop using harmful chemicals on your yard.
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Buy honey from local beekeepers that keep our bees happy.
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Participate in family-friendly Anacostia River and Dueling Creek Clean-ups.
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Go car-less one day a week.
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On your dog walks use the community pet waste stations throughout the town.
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If you indulge in spirits – try the many locally-made beer, cider and mead.
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Go solar – many folks in Cottage City have installed solar panels on their homes and are saving on their energy bills and saving the planet… what are you waiting for?
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Join local exercise classes and gyms – even better take a friend or a family member with you.
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And we are fortunate to have many local businesses and many are businesses owned by persons of color – so SHOP LOCAL!
