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In this third of four Monday installments focusing on Loudoun’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Month, I thought I’d highlight a local community that is striving to make its neck of the woods a “greener” place to live.

I spoke a few days ago with Cascades general manager Martha Kaczmarsky who shared with me some of the ways residents there are striving to reduce the community’s carbon footprint.

A handful of residents, Kaczmarsky said, formed the Cascades Green Team in March. The group's goal is to educate the approximately 6,000 households about ways to save energy and protect the environment.

The Green Team meets at 7:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of every month at the Lowes Island Community Center to swap ideas and brainstorm. Through the HOA’s newsletter, the group shares conservation tips with neighbors.

The Green Team was instrumental in bringing residents the larger 46-gallon recycling bins with wheels and lids, which make the process of hauling all that plastic, glass, aluminum cans and newspaper a little easier on tired backs, Kaczmarsky said.

Earlier this month, the group organized a Green Expo where public and private vendors were invited to share information about their energy-efficient services and/or products. Some of the organizations in attendance were Home Depot, Loudoun Water, Con-Serve Industries, the Pedal Shop and Standard Solar.

In addition to exhibit booth information, visitors were treated to giveaways like reusable shopping bags and compact florescent light bulbs (CFLs). Attendees also got a chance to see first-hand the HOA-approved rain barrel, the community’s new recycling bins and an in-home kitchen composter demonstration.

Next on the Green Team’s agenda is a community-wide clean-up on Nov. 2 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

In the future, the group wants to help certify Cascades as a wildlife habitat through the National Wildlife Federation, and there are plans to organize community-wide activities in recognition of nationwide observances like Bike-to-Work Day, Arbor Day and, of course, Earth Day.

Does your neighborhood encourage “green living"? If so, please share in the comments field below.