EcoAction Arlington proudly honored former Arlington School Board Member Mary Kadera with the 2026 EcoAction Arlington Impact Award at its 8th annual EcoExtravaganza held last night at Clare & Don’s Beach Shack. This award recognizes outstanding contributions to community environmental sustainability in Arlington.
During her 2022 to 2025 term on the Arlington County School Board, Mary Kadera focused on environmental stewardship and long-term planning. Her key contributions include:
- Championed a Climate Action Resolution to align schools with the county’s 2050 carbon neutrality goal.
- Ensured sustainability goals were embedded directly into the 2024–2030 Strategic Plan.
- Supported the transition to a fully electrified bus and vehicle fleet and pushed for higher building energy efficiency.
- Promoted zero-waste initiatives, specifically focusing on composting and reducing food waste within schools.
“Achieving our goal of a sustainable community requires the commitment of amazing civic leaders like Mary Kadera. Mary brought passion to her role and led the school community in meeting key goals for a sustainable future. We are so proud to honor Mary with our 2026 Impact Award,” said Levi Novey, Chair of the EcoAction Arlington Board of Directors.
EcoAction Arlington’s annual fundraiser brought together residents, business members, and environmental leaders to celebrate the incredible community that powers its work. EcoAction Arlington extends its heartfelt thanks to all attendees, sponsors, and volunteers who made the event a success. Proceeds from the EcoExtravaganza will support ongoing initiatives aimed at fostering a sustainable community, promoting environmental justice, and combating the climate crisis.
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