Vienna acts to conserve enhance tree canopy

Arlington could learn a lot from the small City of Vienna which has already made major financial commitments to planting public trees and is already way ahead on acquiring and applying their data to improve maintenance and create a clear path forward.. Having completed their tree assessments and inventory last year, the City of Vienna has adopted a new tree conservation ordinance and created an advocacy committee in a bid to preserve and expand the town’s declining canopy. FFXNow reports that a new Tree Advocacy Committee replaces an existing tree board under the Conservation and Sustainability Commission (CSC) to advise and assist the town with issues related to plant conservation and management, including by conducting a tree canopy assessment and inventory in advance to craft an urban forest management plan and helping staff compile annual reports. Read more.

Arlington lacks a similar advocacy mechanism that includes citizens to monitor actions and review annual reports that will be made public. We urge all of you to take a closer look and to express any concerns to the Dept. of Parks & Recreation as well as to County Board members. Contact the County Board at CountyBoard@arlingtronva.us, the County Manger at CountyManager@arlingtonva.us, and the Parks and Recreation Department dpr@arlingtonva.us.