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Dec 2014 Newsletter
Thank You

Bethesda Green relies on corporate sponsorships, grants, in-kind donations and individual contributions to incubate next generation green businesses, educate the community, and inspire action by initiating programs and services that promote sustainable living practices.

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Bethesda Central Farm Market -- Open Sundays, 9am-1pm at the Bethesda Elementary School parking lot on Arlington Road, at the corner of Wilson Lane and Old Georgetown Road.
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Feldt appointed to lead environmental department
Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett (D) recently appointed Elisabeth G. Feldt, formerly an administrator at the Environmental Protection Agency, to lead the county's environmental department. The County Council needs to confirm Feldt, who is expected to begin early 2015.

See Washington Post for more information.

Return Carbon to the Soil
According to an essay in The Huffington Post about how to reduce CO2 emissions, "our mistreatment of soil is preventing nature from doing what she does naturally and cycling carbon back from the atmosphere. We are literally disrupting the process of photosynthesis -- where plants break CO2 molecules apart, release the oxygen and take the carbon underground -- by killing the life that should exist in soil that needs that carbon."
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From the Executive Director
Veronique Marier
 
The holiday letter we sent earlier this week summarizing Bethesda Green's 2014 highlights inspired a number of positive comments. For that, we are grateful. In particular I want to share part of a note we received from John O'Beirne with the Bethesda Farm Women's Market.

Touching on one of the primary reasons Bethesda Green exists -- motivating businesses and residents to adopt sustainable practices with measurable impact -- John reported that, "As a result of Bethesda Green's example, we installed LED lighting in all our fixtures and we are replanting our back hillside to mitigate soil runoff into local drainage/sewer systems.  Additionally, we have encouraged our vendors to improve their recycling efforts."

 

Our goal is to have that kind of measurable impact throughout our community, and we look forward to 2015 with optimism for the future.

 

We kick off 2015 with our annual Fields of Green Internship Fair Saturday, January 31. This is an excellent opportunity for organizations looking for highly qualified candidates. Please contact Sharon D'Emidio at [email protected] for information about participating and advertising available positions.

 

We're also working with the county in collaboration with other local green organizations to create the first Montgomery County GreenFest March 28, likely the largest countywide sustainability event ever produced. In addition, among many other new programmatic activities, we anticipate launching a significant storm water management project.

 

The Bethesda Green Business Incubator is poised to reinvigorate programming for our incubator companies in 2015, including revamped modern office space, blazing high speed internet, a second year of the successful Mentor Capital Network program (see details below), continued distinguished speaker program and a new set of legal, accounting and marketing services.

 

We hope you will consider being part of these efforts in the coming year. Your support is critical to our efforts toward inspiring an environmental ethic that results in measurable impact throughout our community. Please take a minute now to make a donation online.

 

Thank you and enjoy the holiday season. Please note that Bethesda Green will have limited staffing during the weeks of Christmas and New Years.

 

-- Veronique Marier

6th Annual 
Fields of Green Internship Fair 

Saturday, Jan. 31
10 am - 2 pm
 
Are you a local green employer looking for a stellar intern to help support your growing business in 2015?  
 

Are you a college or grad school student looking for an internship or job in the environmental sector? Have you recently graduated and need to get your foot in the door to kick start your environmental career?

 

If so, Bethesda Green's 6th annual Fields of Green Internship Fair is for you!

 

Meet numerous environmental employers from the DC metro area.  Come to the fair prepared to impress as employers will be interviewing promising candidates on-the-spot. Check our website for more details.

 

If you have any questions, please contact Sharon D'Emidio at [email protected].

Opportunity for Green Businesses

Bethesda Green and Mentor Capital Network Launch New Business Plan and Mentor Program

 

Bethesda Green and the Mentor Capital Network (formerly the William James Foundation) are partnering to accelerate the growth of sustainable businesses in Montgomery County and the Greater DC Metropolitan Area. The program will give entrepreneurs detailed feedback on their business plans; provide one-on-one matches between entrepreneurs and mentors with specific issue-area expertise; and assist highly qualified companies to be investment-ready through practice pitches to investors. 

 

This is the second year that Bethesda Green has partnered with the Mentor Capital Network in this highly successful program. Up to 15 highly qualified companies will be selected as part of this year's cohort. This program is supported by a grant from the Montgomery County Department of Economic Development.

Please complete the Application Form
 by January 15, 2015 to apply. Acceptance decisions will be announced on January 22, and accepted businesses will be asked to submit a 5-7 page summary of their business plan by February 20, 2015.

 

Bethesda Green is Hiring!

 

Interested in working with a small, entrepreneurial non-profit that's helping to build a more sustainable Bethesda? Bethesda Green Is hiring!

 

See the Position Description for our Operations and Office Coordinator, a full-time paid position.

 

To apply, please email your resume and cover letter to [email protected]. DEADLINE: December 31, 2014.