We’re a nonprofit on a mission to make sustainable and plastic-free living fun through #FunActivism—thanks for joining us!
How do we do it? We bring together pups and people for the biggest, barkiest 2-mile dog walk event and Sustainability Festival in the DC, MD, and VA region and emceed by NBC4’s Chuck Bell!
Event Scoop:
- When: April, 2026 (date TBD), 7 am – 11 am.
- Where: Alexandria, VA – location TBD.
- The Walk: 2,000+ dog lovers & the most adorable dogs take a 2-mile walk ending in a fun park Celebration.
- Sustainable Goodie Bags: Walkers receive a draw-string back pack with a sustainably sourced t-shirt and dog bandana, and eco-friendly treats.
- The Dog Show: Dogs compete for a $100 gift card for Twinsie – the dog that most resembles its owner. Three dogs win!
- Sustainability Festival: Walkers explore a Sustainability Festival featuring eco-friendly goods and services, plus a huge exhibit of plastic-free products.
- Plastic Art Competition: Artists display their works of art made of plastic and receive awards (they’ll also be selling other art too).
- Nonprofit Village: Nonprofits showcase their work before ACT for Alexandria’s annual Giving Day.
- Other Festival Activities: Participants enjoy the dog obstacle course, DJ tunes & bubbles, family and kids’ games, tattoo artist, puppy portrait, photo booth, and more.
- Free Ethically Sourced Coffee: The first 400 walkers who bring a cup receive a free cup of coffee!
- Healthy Bake Sale: We always have a healthy bake sale and morning treats on hand.
- Military Comps & Other Discounts: It’s our annual tradition to provide the first 100 military (active/retired) a complimentary registration. We also offer student and group discounts. Kids 12 and under participate for free.
April 2026 - Date TBD
The 2-Mile Dog Walk & Sustainability Festival
Alexandria, VA
Come With Or Without a Dog ...
It's the Best Dog Watching Around!
Impressive event! I love the concept of combining people who love animals with care for the planet and reduction in waste. Truly brilliant!" - 2024 ALX Dog Walk Participant
2025 Event Emcee, Chuck Bell!
NBC4 Washington Storm Team4
Our tails are wagging to have Chuck Bell, NBC4 Washington’s StormTeam4 Meteorologist, return for the fourth year as Emcee of our annual dog walk in April 2025!
When not focusing on the forecast, Chuck is an avid distance runner. He has completed the Marine Corps Marathon three times and hopes to keep running it every year.
When the weather is nice, he can often be seen cruising downtown D.C. in his vintage 1962 Corvette. Having owned the car for 15 years, he has still only driven it with the top up a handful of times.
Chuck, his husband, Eric, and their two dogs, Krazy Kyle and Queen Isabella, live in Washington, D.C.
2025 Honored Speaker, Alyia Gaskins! Mayor-Elect, City of Alexandria
The Honorable Alyia Gaskins, Mayor of the City of Alexandria, is a passionate advocate for families, communities, and health equity. Elected to the City Council in 2021, she is dedicated to building a healthier, more prosperous city for all residents.
With a background in public health and urban planning, Mrs. Gaskins has served on numerous boards and worked on a range of critical issues, including hunger policy, health advocacy, and affordable housing. Through her consulting business, CitiesRX, she partners with communities to improve public health outcomes and promote sustainable development.
Mrs. Gaskins holds advanced degrees in public health and urban planning from the University of Pittsburgh and Georgetown University, as well as a certificate in Municipal Finance from Vanderbilt University. She lives in Alexandria’s West End with her husband, son, daughter, and their beagle.
Our Mission
The ALX Dog Walk, a 501(c)(3) voluntary nonprofit, organizes an annual dog walk event to build community, have a barking good time, and raise funds that help to spread the word about the importance of plastic-free and sustainable living throughout the District, Maryland, and Virginia region. 100% net funds go towards the launch of education and awareness initiatives year-round, and we also sponsor other nonprofit programs that directly help us to extend our outreach. Finally, we like to give back to the City of Alexandria, home of the annual dog walk – it’s our way of showing appreciation.
Remember, informed communities can drive impactful changes, creating a healthier planet for future generations. Bark on!
2025 Honorary Nonprofits!
Nonprofit collaborations enhance our impact while also impacting other organizations’ initiatives. We’re privileged to feature two leading nonprofits specializing in plastic pollution and sustainability at our walk event on April 5, 2025.
Plastic Pollution Coalition collaborates with individuals, organizations, and businesses from around the world to stop plastic pollution by reducing plastic production and use. Now in our 15th year, we are very often the entry point for people learning about the gravity of plastic pollution. We create and share content related to lifestyle changes, as that is where most people begin their journey – and we make clear those changes alone are not enough, encouraging people to engage in working toward more systemic solutions.
True to our roots in being the first to call plastic pollution what it is, we are the organization that continues to lead on messaging and narrative for the issue. We point supporters to our guides, resources, and ways to take action. We also help lead them to member groups where they can get even more deeply involved.
Sustainability Matters is a Virginia-grown grassroots nonprofit, cultivating community through conservation.
We bring sustainability to unexpected places. Whether it’s planting native wildflower meadows at landfills, teaching environmental science to underserved youth, teaching novice gardeners to grow their own food, or helping farmers access funding for conservation practices, we empower individuals, families, and communities to help the environment while helping themselves.
In addition to our in-person programs, we produce social media content offering people simple, realistic ways to reduce waste, support our native ecosystem, and live more sustainably. Join our email list or connect to our social media channels by visiting our website, www.sustainabilitymatters.earth.
2025 Sponsor Pack!
As a voluntary nonprofit, we rely on the generous financial and in-kind support from the business community to help us educate the community about plastic-free and sustainable living. Join our 2025 Sponsor Pack along with these esteemed companies!
