There are many ways you can get involved to help Edmonston go greener! Here are some ways to help both our home and our planet.
The Green Team meets from 7-8 p.m. the third Wednesday of every month, and encourages citizen involvement. It is active year round.
If you are interested in joining meetings or have questions about Green Team policies, initiatives, or activities, please contact us greenteam@edmonstonmd.govÂ
The Edmonston Green Team’s vision is to carry out existing green policies and to provide a platform for new ideas and initiatives. The primary goal is to make Edmonston a healthier place to live. The community’s health requires a multi-faceted approach: increased accessibility for cyclists, runners, and walkers; clean air and energy; a tree canopy for each street that mirrors efforts from the green street; sustainable efforts for recycling, compost, and trash; and promotion of healthy and local food.
Rod Barnes currently serves as the Town Administrator for Edmonston, Maryland. Edmonston is a small community in the Washington DC metro region. He has a Master of Public Administration from Kansas State University. He has served as purchasing agent, finance director, city clerk and as a City Manager over his 35 years of experience in local government. While serving in local government roles, he has developed historic preservation projects and has extensive experience working on trail development and expanding park greenspace in the communities he has served. In the two years he has been at Edmonston, he has focused on the town’s environmental efforts. He has expertise in the development of green streets that include the components of rain gardens, bike lanes, using recycled materials for furniture and trash receptacles and permeable paving. Other sustainable environment projects he has been involved with include the use of solar energy for heating Town Hall, the use of electric cars for Code Enforcement and Public Works. Rod was instrumental in the development of a community garden and 3 community fruit tree orchards in Edmonston.
Ed Hooker, III currently serves as the first Historical Architect of the National Cemetery Administration (NCA), Veterans Affairs (VA). The NCA oversees 131 National Veterans Cemeteries through the United States and Puerto Rico. Hooker began his career in federal service in 2006 as the Historic Architect and Cultural Resources Manager at Fort Riley, KS. After graduating from Auburn University with a degree in architecture, he began his career in historic preservation with the Alabama Historical Commission, the Alabama State Historic Preservation Office, where he worked with communities to realize the potential of their threatened historic landmarks. He later was the historic architect for the Mobile Historic Development Commission, where he staffed the city’s Architectural Review Board and provided preservation guidance and architectural design assistance to residents of Mobile’s eight historic districts. Hooker credits his passion for historic preservation to growing up in the Black Belt region of Alabama, volunteering as a docent for his community’s annual pilgrimage, and being made aware at an early age the importance of heritage and history. He considers himself an avid amateur gardener, and enjoys container and patio gardening. Ed also served for two years on his town’s AIB Committee.
Cameron is serving his first term as Ward 1 Councilmember for Edmonston. As Co-Chair of the Green Team, he helps organize and lead local environmental and community initiatives that strengthen the town and bring neighbors together. Cameron believes deeply in grassroots participation and ensuring residents have a real voice in shaping Edmonston’s future. He is committed to improving safety along park trails, expanding green initiatives, refining bike-friendly infrastructure, and keeping Edmonston a place that families are proud to call home.
Jona is interested in the intersection of cities, green spaces, and sustainability. A lifelong lover of trees and the outdoors, she can be found either running or biking along the Anacostia Riverwalk trail, knitting in the sun, or experimenting in the kitchen.
The Green Team Jr. was established in 2023 by Jamileth Mendez, our Conservation Corps Member for the 2023-24 year. This team was designed to promote the development of young local leaders through community and societal involvement through the club’s activities, field trips, and events. Students will be provided the opportunity to earn service-learning hours and increase their knowledge and skills in environmental education.
The Green Team Jr. meets each month virtually and in person. For more details, please email townhall@edmonstonmd.gov for upcoming meetings and events.
