From John Lisle: Preliminary data from a study of multispectral imagery shows the District of Columbia is getting greener.  According to the assessment DC’s urban tree canopy has grown by 2.1 percent over the past 5 years, and now covers 37.2% of the city.

This is the Second of an Eight-Part Feature on the designers’ vision and progress at the DC Design House, which is underway and set to open on April 14th.

Showhouse veteran Kelley Proxmire of Kelley Interior Design in Bethesda, MD, www.kelleyinteriordesign.com, who has participated in 21 showhouses over the past 11 years, says it’s still exciting to be selected. “I really feel honored to be a part of this fundraising event,” Proxmire says. “Children’s National Medical Center is a very deserving organization and should hopefully receive much needed funds from the DC Design House.”

From Bob Hainey: In its second year as an Arbor Day Foundation partner, Pepco is providing 3,000 free trees to customers in Maryland and the District of Columbia through the Energy-Saving Trees program. One thousand trees will be available for each Pepco jurisdiction in the District of Columbia, and Prince George’s and Montgomery counties in Maryland. Launched as a pilot initiative in 2011, the Energy-Saving Trees program conserves energy and reduces household electricity bills through strategic tree planting.

Pepco customers can reserve their free trees today at arborday.org/pepcotrees.