Update - Forestry & Natural Resource Plan - Urgent Action
It’s urgent now that you turn all your concerns and hard work to preserve Arlington’s tree canopy into action. As many of you already know, the first draft Forestry and Natural Resources Plan (FNRP)was finally released on August 1st. It is extremely important for you to review the document and use your own experience to evaluate and enhance this plan. Your comments as individual citizens as well as representatives of organizations wanting the best plan for Arlington’s tree canopy are crucial. The previous posting suggests some questions you might ask yourself as you review this document which has serious shortcomings.
Here are some resources to assist you in accessing and reviewing the draft plan.
The full text of the plan is available at https://www.arlingtonva.us/files/sharedassets/public/forestry/arlington-county-forestry-and-natural-resources-plan.pdf.
The overview page from the County for the FNRP project is https://www.arlingtonva.us/Government/Projects/FNRP/FNRP-Documents-Materials
The summary of the recommendations from the Arlington County Civic Federations meeting May 7, 2022 from the two-year long “Public Collaborative on Preserving Arlington’s Tree Canopy”. https://www.civfed.org/newContent/2022-08/2022-08%20ACCF%20EnvAff%20TreeCanopy%20Phase%203%20Priorites.pdf
The more detailed report and list of all the earlier Phase 2 recommendations including a summary table can be found at https://www.civfed.org/newContent/2021-11/2021-11%20EnvAff%20Collaboratives%20Preserving%20Tree%20Canopy%20Phase%20II%20REPORT.pdf
The opportunities for YOUR INPUT are summarized at https://www.arlingtonva.us/Government/Projects/FNRP/FNRP-Documents-Materials but don’t be limited to these.
Aug.1 - Oct. 3, 2022
Share Your Thoughts about the Forestry and Natural Resources Plan – A carefully curated response form that is wordy and confusing. You may be better off sending a short email to the project - fnrp@arlingtonva.us, the Board – board@arlingtonva.us, and/or the County Manager at manger@arlingtonva.us.
If you’d like to get more in depth, read and comment directly on the draft plan please go here. Please note that they have not added graphics to the draft plan “so that it was easier for folks to focus on the text”. This is a big missing piece that has important impact and information that will show up in the final draft without review.
Other important dates to have your voice heard. Unfortunately, many are late in the process or still TBD!
Natural Resources Joint Advisory Group Meeting, Sept. 12, Virtual and In-Person – This is a group of commissioners from the Forestry and Natural Resources, Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, and Parks and Recreation Commissions that has the lead in overseeing the preparation of the plan.
Forestry and Natural Resources Commission Meeting, Sept. 22, Virtual and In-Person
Park & Recreation Commission Meeting, Sept. 27, Virtual and In-Person
Public Spaces Master Plan -Implementation Advisory Committee Meeting, Sept. TBD
Virtual Community Engagement, TBD, Virtual
Many Citizens are ready to jump into action on some of the highest priority items addressed in the May 7th Civ Fed meeting summary. If you would like to form groups or teams to address the FNRP please contact us here. Based on the responses, help to organize the team logistics can be provided. Networking with other individuals and organizations will provide additional people-power and resources for the work.