Tag: environment
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Neighbors concerned about proposed asphalt plant
The Vulcan property, showing the proposed changes. As the Fairfax County Planning Commission prepares to hold a public hearing on the proposed expansion of the Vulcan concrete plant March 1, nearby businesses say their concerns about railroad deliveries blocking roads haven’t been addressed. And now new concerns are being raised about Vulcan’s future plans to … Continued
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Supervisors to weigh cost of saving Lake Accotink
The dam at Lake Accotink. Is Lake Accotink such a huge asset that it should be saved regardless of the cost? If nothing is done and the lake fills up with sediment, how will that affect property values? If the lake is dredged, how will the community deal with thousands of trucks carting dirt through … Continued
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Public input sought on future of Lake Accotink
Anyone who cares about preserving Lake Accotink is encouraged to come to a community meeting Jan. 22 hosted by the Fairfax County Park Authority. The meeting, 7-8:30 p.m. at North Springfield Elementary School (7602 Heming Court, Springfield), is aimed at gathering public input toward the development of a vision for the future of Lake Accotink … Continued
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Awards recognize beautification efforts
Mason Supervisor Penny Gross (left) presents a beautification award to Alex Pathammavong and PJ Tierno of Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services. On the right is Kimberly Wilkins, a member of the Bailey’s Crossroads Seven Corners Revitalization Corporation. The Bailey’s Crossroads Seven Corners Revitalization Corporation presented two beautification awards at its Dec. … Continued
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Water quality experts meet in Wakefield Park to study impact on Chesapeake Bay watershed
Vickie Blazer of the USGS and her assistants dissect a fish to demonstrate the history of fish health problems in the Chesapeake Bay watershed [Fairfax County] About 50 people from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the Environmental Protection Agency, congressional staff, and the Fairfax County Stormwater Planning Division gathered at Wakefield Park in Annandale on … Continued
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Northam, Perriello face off in primary debate
Left to right: Virginia Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam, moderator Tom Sherwood, and Tom Perriello. The Democratic candidates for governor – Ralph Northam and Tom Perriello – faced off in a debate April 29 that highlighted a few differences, on guns and proposed pipelines, for example, but for the most part, the candidates presented similar views … Continued
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New environmental group focuses on ridding streams of plastic water bottles
Trash in Accotink Creek. [TAWF] A new organization, the Northern Virginia Trash Action Work Force, invites the public to a peaceful demonstration to highlight the environmental damage caused by disposable plastic water bottles. The event, the group’s first civic action, will be May 8, 7-10 a.m., in front of the headquarters of the International Bottled … Continued
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Lawmakers urge environmental advocates to get more active in politics
A full house at an environmental advocacy workshop. Elected officials urged people concerned about the environment to take a more active role in politics at a workshop at Green Spring Gardens March 18. At least 100 people attended the meeting, which was sponsored by the Audubon Society of Northern Virginia and other organizations. “The environmental community … Continued
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Environmental films at the Angelika in the Mosaic District
The Environmental Film Festival in the Nation’s Capital, the largest event of its kind in the United States, will include a few screenings at the Angelika Film Center in the Mosaic District. More than 180 films from 32 countries will be shown through March 26 at 40 venues in the D.C. metropolitan region. Now in … Continued
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Native seedlings on sale
Sassafras The Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District is accepting orders for its annual native tree and shrub seedling sale. The theme for this year’s sale is “Fall Color.” Native plants promote clean water and air, prevent soil erosion, provide valuable habitat, and add beauty and resilience to the landscape. Two seedling packages are … Continued
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Environmental Film Festival Oct. 31
Here’s something fun to do on Halloween that doesn’t involve dressing up or pumpkins – Attend the free Environmental Film Festival at the Annandale campus of Northern Virginia Community College. It’s Oct. 31, 1-4:30 p.m., in the Ernst Center. NOVA and the Fairfax County Restoration Project invite the public to “learn about a brighter environmental future … Continued
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Native plant garden in Annandale is collaborative project
The Packard Center A new native plant garden is springing to life near the Hidden Oaks Nature Center through the combined efforts of the Fairfax County Park Authority, Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF), students at Poe and Luther Jackson middle schools, and volunteers. The new garden is located at the site of … Continued
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Compost Livin’ helps local residents recycle food waste
Sarah Stakes If you regularly put your recyclable paper, cans, and bottles on the curb every week, do you wish there was a way to also keep food waste out of landfills? That was something Annandale resident Sarah Stakes, who has embraced the “green” lifestyle, was trying to find. There are businesses that collect and … Continued
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Volunteers are working hard to make Annandale beautiful
The median between Little River Turnpike and the service road. There might be lots to complain about in Annandale (see the viral video, for example), but some residents are working hard to make the community beautiful, including the Annandale Women’s Club and local shop owners who have planted flowers done some nice landscaping. On Friday … Continued
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Residents discuss options on future of Lake Accotink
About 100 people attend a meeting at Kings Glen Elementary School in Springfield on the future of Lake Accotink. Members of the public heard about five options for dealing with the silt build-up in Lake Accotink, including the possibility of severely limiting the size of the lake or even transforming it into wetlands. Dozens of … Continued