Washington, D.C. has many resources to help you live a more sustainable life. Here are a few highlights.

Getting Around Town

Bike: The University has more than 400 bike racks and runs adjacent to the Metropolitan Branch Trail on John McCormack Road. The 8 mile trail connects Takoma Park, MD to Union Station in Washington, D.C.

  • Rent a Bike:  Capital Bikeshare has over 350 stations across D.C., Virginia, and Maryland. The University has a Capital Bikeshare station at Millennium North and there is a publicly accessible Bikeshare on the University side of the Brookland-CUA Metro Station.

Metro: Metro is the D.C. metro area’s subway and bus system. Use Metro's website to plan trips all across the city.

  • Metrorail: The Brookland-CUA Metrorail Station is the closest stop to campus on the Red Line. In less than 30 minutes the Metro will bring you to downtown D.C.
  • Metrobus: There are several bus stops on Michigan Avenue, Monroe Street, Taylor Street, and at the Brookland-CUA Station Bus Bay that travel all across the city.

Brookland Neighborhood

Farmers Markets. Farmer’s markets deliver fresh, local food to shoppers looking for healthy options and looking to support local farmers and food producers.

  • Monroe Street Farmers Market: On Saturdays from 9 a.m.–1 p.m., check out the farmers market at the Arts Walk for local, organic produce, specialty food producers, and for special events like yoga and live music.
  • Brookland Farmers Market: On Tuesdays from 4–7 p.m. at 10th and Otis Streets, check out the farmers market for locally grown produce and baked goods.
  • There are nearly 30 additional farmers markets across DC, Maryland, and Virginia.

Community Gardens. Community gardens allow residents to grow their own food, build community, and reduce the impact of food deserts.

  • The Catholic University Community Garden located behind Curley Hall provides a space for all community members to garden together and grow produce for Cardinal Cupboard, the on-campus food pantry. All students, staff, and faculty members are welcome at any time!
  • The Franciscan Monastery Community Garden located a few blocks from campus on 1400 Quincy St., N.E., Washington, D.C., gives back to the community with volunteers who grow, harvest, and donate as much as 8,000 pounds of fresh produce for food pantries across the city.

Volunteer

Help out your fellow neighbors and green spaces by organizing a park clean-up, spending a few hours maintaining a community garden, or donating healthy and sustainable foods to a food pantry.

  • Check out Campus Ministry for volunteer opportunities in the Brookland neighborhood and around DC. 

Experience Nature

The Washington, D.C. area is home to many trails and parks where you can experience nature and wildlife. These quick trips are perfect for hiking, biking, birding, or a picnic.

Rock Creek Park, Washington, D.C. Rock Creek Park covers nearly 2,000 acres and is filled with trails and opportunities to hike, bike, boat, play golf, play tennis, ride horses, attend concerts, and more. Accessible via bus in under 45 minutes from the Brookland Station.

Kingman and Heritage Islands, Washington, D.C. This protected habitat includes tidal freshwater wetlands, wildflower meadows, and tidal swamp forest. You can see more than 100 different species of birds, mammals, and other wildlife. Accessible via Metro and Bus in under 1 hour from the Brookland Station.

U.S. National Arboretum, Washington, D.C. The Arboretum covers 446 acres and has rare and indigenous trees, shrubs, flowers, and herbs. Accessible via Metro and Bus in under 1 hour from the Brookland Station.

Tidal Basin, Washington, D.C. Be sure to see the cherry blossoms at the Tidal Basin on the National Mall in the spring. Accessible via Metro and Bus in under 45 minutes from the Brookland Station.

Theodore Roosevelt Island, Washington, D.C. On a small island between Georgetown and Arlington, you can take in a secluded forest with trails and wildflowers. Try renting a kayak in Georgetown for a workout! Accessible via Metro in under 45 minutes from the Brookland Station (includes a 15 minute walk).

Great Falls, Virginia. See the area’s largest waterfall just outside of the city. Picnic or hike some of the trails on either the Maryland or Virginia sides. Accessible via car in under 1 hour from the Brookland Station.