[Archived] City Council Approves Establishment of Urban Forestry Steering Committee

City Press Release


	City of Alexandria, Virginia Office of the City Manager Alexandria City Hall 301 King Street, Suite 3500 Alexandria, Virginia 22314-3211 www.alexandriava.gov Telephone: 703.838.4300 Fax : 703.838.6343

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 2, 2004
PIO 127-04

City Council Approves Establishment of Urban Forestry Steering Committee

City Council has approved the establishment of an Urban Forestry Steering Committee to guide the City’s tree preservation and expansion efforts through the development of an Urban Forestry Plan.
The committee will seek to characterize and quantify the current state of Alexandria’s urban forest and to identify strategies to improve its health, quality, density and diversity.
The work of the committee will be to:
• Review City policies, operations, programs and services that address the planting, maintenance, protection and preservation, and the removal of publicly-owned trees located along City streets, in parks and on other public property, and recommend changes;
• Review City ordinances, regulations, procedures and operations that address all of the above; and
• Identify programs that will enhance the public’s awareness of trees and their benefits to the community, will educate the public regarding the proper maintenance and protection of trees, and will encourage members of the public to preserve and enhance the health of trees on their property and to plant new ones.
The Urban Forestry Steering Committee will consist of 12 members from the following groups: The Alexandria Beautification Commission, the Environmental Policy Commission, the Parks and Recreation Commission, and the Planning Commission; four citizens who have significant knowledge and experience in the fields of arboriculture, horticulture, urban forestry or landscape architecture, or a demonstrated intense interest in the City’s trees; one representative from the Tree Stewards of Arlington and Alexandria; and three citizens at large.
The Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities will provide staff for the committee. The Department of Planning and Zoning and the Department of Transportation and Environmental Services will offer additional administrative support.
The Urban Forestry Steering Committee is expected to be formed by late June, so it can begin work this summer.

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