[Archived] Alexandria is “Greening Up”

City Celebrates Partnerships with National Arboretum, City Parks Alliance

The City of Alexandria is “greening up” by forging new partnerships with organizations dedicated to trees, parks, and open space, and promoting a citywide effort to increase Alexandria’s tree canopy.

On Monday, September 19, at 3 p.m., the public is invited to join Mayor Allison Silberberg and Dr. Richard T. Olsen, Director of the National Arboretum, as they plant a tree in Oronoco Bay Park, 100 Madison St., and celebrate the City’s new collaboration with the institution.  "We are grateful to the National Arboretum for the Swamp Chestnut Oak that is being donated to our historic city,” said Mayor Silberberg. “I hope our tree planting and this collaborative partnership inspires my fellow Alexandrians and leaders throughout our region to join us as we rededicate ourselves to our tree canopy, parks, and open space.”

Mayor Silberberg has also joined the Mayors for Parks Coalition, a project of the City Parks Alliance, a national organization solely dedicated to urban parks.  The mission of the City Parks Alliance is to engage, educate, and nurture a broad-based constituency to support the creation, revitalization, and sustainability of parks and green spaces that contribute to dynamic cities.

Residents who are interested in “greening up” their spaces are invited to the City’s annual Fall Native Plant Sale, which begins September 23 and runs through October 30. Trees can be ordered online at alexandriava.gov/WebTracor in person at the Jerome “Buddie” Ford Nature Center. A variety of native plants and trees will be available, with prices from $20 to $30.  “I ask all Alexandrians to join in this citywide effort to increase our tree canopy from its current level of 34 percent and to reach – and even exceed – the national goal of 40 percent, which is also specified in our City’s Urban Forestry Master Plan. Let’s ‘green up’ Alexandria! Together, we can do this,” said Mayor Silberberg.

 For more information, visit alexandriava.gov/Recreation or call 703.746.5525. To learn more about trees in Alexandria, visit alexandriava.gov/Trees.

 For media inquiries, contact Andrea J. Blackford, Senior Communications Officer, at andrea.blackford@alexandriava.gov or 703.746.3959.

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