Tag: environment
Residents urge Virginia to impose a data center moratorium
About 200 people – young activists, older adults, and parents with strollers – came out to a rally and march on Oct. 10 to show their support for a moratorium on data centers in Virginia. The event took place outside the Plaza 500 site in the Bren Mar Park community where Starwood Capital is planning … Continued
Stormwater facility in Annandale slated for repairs
The stormwater retention pond on Americana Drive next to the Vista apartments in Annandale is no longer working, so the Stormwater Management Division of the Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services is preparing to develop a project to fix it. The structure is damaged, there is erosion, and sediment is collecting on … Continued
Join the Tree Rescue Extravaganza
Come out and help your neighbors save a tree! Fairfax Tree Rescuers PRISM is sponsoring the countywide Tree Rescue Extravaganza II from Oct. 3 to Nov. 1. PRISM, which stands for Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management, is a coalition of agencies, nonprofits, and residents who come together to tackle invasive species in a region. … Continued
‘Greening the Greenway’ project has taken root and is expanding
By James Albright Four beds of native plants have taken strong root along Columbia Pike in downtown Annandale through the hard work of volunteer gardeners, the support of business and institutional leaders, and donations from the public. Two weekends ago, the “Greening the Greenway” team evaluated the progress of the beds during a seasonal weeding … Continued
Viewpoint: Virginia’s powerful problem
By Paul Gilbert Data centers, global climate change, the merger of power companies, and corporate money in politics seem like different issues, but they are all connected – in some ways literally, through power lines, and in other ways through cause and effect. Let’s “think globally, and act locally.” Climate change is driven by too … Continued
Board of Supervisors dissolves the Tree Commission
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved a resolution on Aug. 25 on a 9-1 vote dissolving the Tree Commission and the Environmental Quality Advisory Council (EQAC) and transferring their functions to a new Environmental Commission. That effort – which would save the county $20,000 and 600 hours of staff time – is part of a comprehensive … Continued
Tree Commission gets the axe
The Office of the County Executive is calling for a number of boards and commissions to be dissolved, including the Fairfax County Tree Commission and the Environmental Quality Advisory Council (EQAC). Those entities would be replaced by a new Environmental Commission. Some of the Tree Commission’s responsibilities might be shifted to the Urban Forest Management … Continued
New resources available for invasive plant management
The Fairfax County Park Authority has launched an apprenticeship program to train new Invasive Management Area site leaders, enabling the IMA program to expand to more local parks across the county. Removing invasives leads to better stormwater management, more birds and other wildlife, an improved tree canopy, and better water filtration, says Whitney Redding, one … Continued
Styrofoam banned for food sellers
Beginning July 1, all food establishments in Virginia are required to eliminate the use of Styrofoam containers. This ban applies to restaurants, cafeterias, food trucks, and other food service operations, regardless of size. A law passed by the Virginia General Assembly in 2021 banned single-use Expanded Polystyrene (EPS), commonly known as Styrofoam, for food vendors … Continued
Help beautify Annandale with native plants
The Greening the Greenway initiative will continue this Saturday at two new locations in Annandale. The project started last fall when a group of volunteers installed native plantings in front of the ACCA Child Development Center on Columbia Pike. The initiative is aimed at enhancing the Annandale Greenway, a five-mile trail that runs through the center … Continued
Fairfax County expands textile recycling
Fairfax County has expanded its textile recycling program to three new locations, including the West Springfield Government Center, at 6140 Rolling Road. Residents can drop off clothing, shoes, and household textiles in blue Helpsy bins. The bins are also located at the Jim Scott Community Center in Fairfax, the Sully Government Center in Chantilly, the … Continued
Join the tree rescue extravaganza
Volunteers are hoping to rescue as many trees as possible during the Spring Tree Rescue Extravaganza March 21-April 12. Community members are invited to join the effort, which is hosted by Fairfax Tree Rescuers PRISM (Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management). Enjoy a spring day outdoors and get some fresh air while protecting native trees … Continued
Environmental groups protest sale of county land for a data center
Representatives of five environmental groups are urging the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors to provide more information before proceeding with the sale of county land to a data center developer. The board is holding a hearing on March 17 on the sale of 41.7 acres at 3721 Stonecroft Blvd. in Chantilly to the Starwood Capital … Continued
Free trees available to Fairfax County residents
The Fairfax County Urban and Community Forestry Division has teamed up with the Arbor Day Foundation to give away native trees to county residents. The initiative is aimed at expanding the tree canopy on private property, while helping residents reduce energy costs and improve neighborhood resilience. The trees are available on a first-come, first-served basis. … Continued
Native seedling sale starts today
The Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District’s annual native seedling sale opens today, Feb. 19, at 10 a.m. Customers need to open an account on the NVSWCD website to order seedlings. The seedlings and other pre-ordered items will be available for pickup at the Sleepy Hollow Bath and Racquet Club in Falls Church on … Continued