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Yvonne Coles posing at OlaLekan Farm Community Day while volunteering and gardening.

Impact Story

DCSEU Staff Transforms Her Home and Community as a RiverSmart Ambassador

Imagine a city where every home is a haven of sustainability, where rain gardens replace manicured lawns, and where residents are empowered to use their homes to protect our local waterways.  The Department of Energy and Environment’s (DOEE) RiverSmart Program is making this a reality across the District and using community power to do so. The DCSEU’s very own Manager of Account Management, Yvonne Coles, a Native Washingtonian residing in Ward 5, went from program participant to ambassador, helping individuals to transform their homes into thriving, sustainable ecosystems.

Yvonne's journey began with a personal commitment, applying to the RiverSmart Homes Program, a city-wide initiative designed to promote sustainable practices and protect local waterways, in 2020. Her first step was receiving an audit from the program to identify what she would be able to get installed in her yard. From that audit she went on to receive: one free tree planted by Casey Trees, two rain barrels, bayscaping to replace parts of her lawn with native plants that have a deeper root systems and replaced her home’s concrete driveway with permeable pavers and added a walkway.

“As with many offerings in the city, it's usually the folks east of the river who are unaware of the different services and programs that are offered.” said Yvonne. “As a native, this is something I want to make sure to tell people about. I had already joined the DCSEU, and sustainability had become a part of my daily life.”

DCSEU staff, Yvonne Coles, tabling at the Anacostia River Festival sharing information about DOEE's RiverSmart program with two children.

Starting in 2022, she was one of the first six ambassadors for the program. Throughout her time as an ambassador, she has joined community events, workshops, and door-to-door campaigns to educate Ward 7 and 8 residents about the benefits of the program and to pass out free native plant seeds. From rain gardens to permeable pavers, Yvonne has helped residents understand how simple changes can make a significant difference in the local environment as well as their homes and communities.

Yvonne's own home serves as a shining example of the power of sustainable living. Along with the work done in the program, her property hosts solar panels, energy-efficient equipment and appliances, and she is in the Department of Public Works’ (DPW) home composting pilot program. By leading by example, Yvonne inspires others to adopt sustainable habits and create healthier, more resilient communities.

“It’s all about sustainability, not just inside my home but outside of it as well and being good to the Earth”

 – Yvonne Coles, DCSEU Manager, Account Management.

 

Yvonne Coles posing in an office setting.

Inspired by Yvonne's story? You too can become a RiverSmart Ambassador and help protect the District’s waterways and ecosystems from stormwater runoff. By implementing sustainable practices in your own home and community, you can contribute to a healthier District for generations to come.