Deadline 3/22 Tell Arlington to Invest in Trees as Green Infrastructure

Make Trees a Priority by taking the online survey asking where Arlington should Invest in Major Infrastructure for the Future?

The Capital Improvement Plan or CIP is the County's plan for building, upgrading, and replacing facilities and infrastructure. It captures Arlington planned investments in major infrastructure over a 10-year period and is updated every two years.  

They have largely ignored investing in trees and acquisition of land for parks and natural areas. Instead they continue to push for more ball fields, playgrounds, streets and other impervious surfaces that are unnecessarily degrading our environment. The County needs to hear from you to develop an informed plan for our community. Tell them to make projects including trees a top priority having been neglected for so long in favor of built environments. Your input will help inform the County Manager's proposed CIP to be given to the County Board in May.

You can find the survey at https://engage.arlingtonva.us/content/how-should-arlington-invest-major-infrastructure-future

On the first page ”What are the most important areas of capital investments to you?”weight Parks and Recreation as “1”

On the second question “What matters most to you in your streets?” be sure to include “green streets” as on of your three picks. In the comment section at the bottom let the County know that trees can be an important part of capital spending plans not an after thought. One idea could be “Heavy capital investment in infrastructure to support expanded planting of street trees and vegetation for control of air pollution and heat from streets. Carve out areas on sidewalks, curbs, gutters and all other road improvements to include the maximum amount of trees and vegetation. Make green infrastructure an essential part of planning any street investments.”

On the third question “What matters most to you in your parks?” suggested selections include Land Acquisition for Parks, Trails, and Casual Space. For the followup question “Which would be your preferred focus for future investments?” select New Parks. In the comment section at the bottom (“Is there anything else you’d like to tell us about your priorities related to parks?”) let the County know that natural areas have been significantly underfunded in the past relative to Plans and public interests. One comment idea: “Need to invest in acquiring and preserving natural areas in parks and providing facilities. This includes improvements to the Nature Centers, interpretive trails, protection of special natural areas from destruction.”

On the Technology page select your option, then provide any comment you would like to make relating it to information needs around natural resources especially trees. One typical comment might be: “Integrate information on natural resources, green spaces, impervious surfaces, buildings, etc. into the County's GIS system and make the system easily accessible for citizens to perform their own analyses. There needs to a full inventory of all the natural resources on all public land in the County - street trees, parks, schools, facilities, etc.”

On the Critical Infrastructure page trees and natural resources are not even an option despite the existential threat of climate change and human health and well-being considerations. To the question at the bottom “Is there anything else you’d like to share about your priorities related to critical infrastructure?” Please provide you own thoughts. Comments on this lack of inclusion of other options as critical, and no attention to our natural resources, could be informative to the planners. One comment might be: “A much higher priority must be given to the services provided by green infrastructure including: air quality, climate stability, stormwater retention, pollination and seed dispersal, soil formation, soil quality, soil retention, water quality, water capture conveyance and supply, ultraviolet radiation reduction, temperature regulation (heat islands), wildlife habitat, nutrient cycling, aesthetics, cultural value, science and education, recreation and artistic inspiration.”