Who We Are: We believe that as humans we must protect the environment in order to have a healthy and happy community. We strive to build climate resilient neighborhoods in Alexandria that are accessible and beautiful for all.
Project: Grassroots Alexandria Environment (GrAEn, “Green”)
- Goal 1: Increase green buildings and spaces in Alexandria
- Goal 2: Promote renewable, affordable, and distributed energy in Alexandria
- Goal 3: Expand sustainable waste management in Alexandria
How We Do It: Our GrAEn Team uses a three tiered support to leverage change in Alexandria
- State Level Engagement – through legislative proposals and advocacy
- City Level Engagement – through active engagement at city meetings, providing public comment and recommendations
- Community Level Engagement – Engaging with fellow Alexandrians through canvassing, publishing articles in local newspapers, educating the community at events and in public spaces
Project Leads: Ray Juneja and Laura Vanin
Our Current and Planned Activities as of April 2026:
Goal 1: Increase green buildings and spaces in Alexandria
1.1 Engage with the Alexandria Environmental Policy Commission (EPC) to
develop a state legislative packet to promote green buildings
1.2 Engage in the Duke Street Land Use Plan to ensure ensure the incorporation of green buildings and spaces in Alexandria
1.3 Promote Ecocity businesses at the community level
1.4 Promote the Braddock Rd redesign
Goal 2: Promote renewable, affordable, and distributed energy in Alexandria
2.1 Develop future state legislative packets with the Alexandria EPC to promote
affordable energy
2.2 Advocate for the EPC’s work in developing Community Choice Aggregation
in Alexandria
To join a project team, please write to one of the project leaders or to grassrootsalexandria@gmail.com.