Environment and Parks Committee News

At the March GFCA Town Hall, the EPT committee hosted a number of experts who gave presentations and answered questions.

Jim McGlone from the Virginia Department of Forestry presented a data-filled PowerPoint presentation on the structure of healthy forests and the impact on area woodlands. All across America, populations of deer are growing rapidly because of lack of natural predators. McGlone showed the devastating impact their overgrazing has on birds and small mammals, whose nesting grounds and habitats are destroyed by too many deer eating ground plants,shrubs and younger trees. Many species of trees in the woods are unable to survive to maturity because hungry deer, raising concerns about the future survival and current health of our forests, regularly eats saplings. His key point: since natural predators like wolves and bobcats are not likely to be reintroduced, the only way to reestablish a more natural balance in the environment is to selectively hunt or otherwise reduce the deer population - and that such reduction is ecologically necessary.

All across America, populations of deer are growing rapidly because of lack of natural predators. McGlone showed the devastating impact their overgrazing has on birds and small mammals, whose nesting grounds and habitats are destroyed by too many deer eating ground plants,shrubs and younger trees. Many species of trees in the woods are unable to survive to maturity because hungry deer, raising concerns about the future survival and current health of our forests, regularly eats saplings. His key point: since natural predators like wolves and bobcats are not likely to be reintroduced, the only way to reestablish a more natural balance in the environment is to selectively hunt or otherwise reduce the deer population - and that such reduction is ecologically necessary.

Josh Smith, an entomologist with the Fairfax County Health Department addressed the origins of Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases, and discussed prevention tips and symptoms to look for. His presentation identified the types of ticks that carry the disease and he showed a short video on how to remove ticks and what to do with them once removed. (Put in a zip lock bag or a small container in the freezer and take it with you to the doctor so they can determine the type of tick.) He addressed the role of deer and mice in spreading ticks and this disease, which can be debilitating if not addressed with antibiotics. He directed residents to the county's website for more information, click here

Virginia State Police Trooper Hendricks spoke about the incidence of deer-car collisions. He cited the number of crashes that took place in Fairfax County in recent years and discussed what to do if confronted with deer in the roadway. He cautioned not to swerve if in doing so, your car will go off the road and possibly crash into a tree or other traffic. He also discussed what to do if a motorist is involved in a crash and what agencies to contact if a deer is injured or killed in a collision. A short video made by the U.S. Forest Service was shown, demonstrating how deer see highways, traffic and approaching vehicles in a much different way than humans.

The Committee meets monthly on the first Tuesday of each month at the Great Falls Library. Recent initiatives by the committee:

Deer and Forest Management - Recent monthly meetings have featured a local speaker on deer management in Great Falls and a VA Department of Forestry speaker on the declining conditions of urban forests, including those in this area. State, county and local issues have been identified which are central to addressing this issue. The committee is planning a GFCA Town Meeting on March 11th on deer and forest management and related Lyme disease issues.

Beautification - EPT remains engaged in two local beautification efforts. The first is the continuation of the flowering baskets which have given our community a cohesive and attractive appearance for two summers in a row. EPT is exploring new ways to administer the program, with a larger financial contribution by local merchants who benefit from this community amenity. Secondly, EPT has discussed developing a native plant dimension to the new bump outs along Walker Road in the village area. EPT would like to see this newly-redesigned gateway area of the community landscaped in more attractive ways than currently planned.

The GFCA Executive Board on Jan 28 passed a resolution supporting public education and exploration of issues related to deer and forest management, including woodland destruction and Lyme disease, and identifying ways in which the community can address concerns with long-term loss of forest habitat and public safety. In addition, it is resolved that the Environment, Parks and Trails Committee identify state, county and local measures which may address community concerns.

The GFCA Committee on Environment, Parks and Trails (EPT) was engaged in a number of community initiatives in the past year, with an increased emphasis on preserving and caring for trees in our community. The seminal event of the year was the tragic death of a local citizen in July 2012 when a 200-year-old oak fell on his car during rush hour on Georgetown Pike. This tragic day ushered in several initiatives with GFCA and EPT support including:
· Support for VDOT evaluation and removal of over 60 trees along GF roads, many of which posed potential motorist and pedestrian risks;
· Public education about the VDOT tree evaluation process, with GFCA encouraging residents to call VDOT with recommendations for dangerous tree removal. GFCA spokesmen appeared in local newspapers and on local TV station WJLA with this message;
· Public education about the need to monitor and care for trees on private property (and also plant new trees when diseased trees are removed);
· A new evaluation of the two large white oaks at the corner of Georgetown Pike and Walker Road. While VDOT (which owns that land) was inclined to remove both trees at first, GFCA sought to have a more thorough evaluation of these oaks, which are the last farm-era trees in the downtown area. With EPT engagement, three professional arborists thoroughly examined the two trees using visual techniques, aerial exams and tomography (using a computer for internal structural imaging) and, in the end, VDOT chose to retain one of the trees and remove the one that seemed to pose the greatest risk.

Other local tree issues were on the front line too. The GF shopping center operated by BF Saul chose last summer to refurbish its exterior buildings and parking lot, leading to removal of dozens of trees, and prompting widespread concern among many residents. GFCA was again involved, this time with Fairfax County, which has a say in such changes. In the end, some trees were retained and GFCA members helped select tree species and native plants for the new landscaping. Similarly, GFCA worked with the developers of the Brightview Senior Citizens Center to identify native species to include in final landscaping and obtained a wider safety zone (during construction) around the heritage oak that is being retained at the front of the property.

Part of the EPT mission is to involve local citizens in the improvement of our community’s environment. The annual Difficult Run Stream Clean up was held on April 13 with many adult and youth volunteers: mounds of trash were pulled from the stream banks between Georgetown Pike and Route 7. On May 13, EPT sponsored the first GF Greening Up Day at the GF Grange, publicizing the Riverbend Park native plant sale, a special morning of mulching all the white oaks at the Grange Park, guided tours of a resident’s woodland garden and a walking tour of new native tree pathways at Riverbend Park. Many residents and young people turned out for these programs.

EPT also spearheaded the development and placement of flowering baskets through the GF commercial areas, the Grange and the Library. This was the second year for this initiative, which was funded jointly by GFCA and local business owners. GFCA managed the process from A to Z, using a local garden center for the flowers and local landscaper to do the weekly watering. These baskets give our community a more unified, beautiful appearance throughout the summer months. If you would like to help Great Falls environment in these ways, please come to our monthly committee meetings. Let Co-chair Bill Canis know of your interest.

The November 15th GFCA Town Meeting brought attention to two issues of great interest among Great Falls residents. Tree issues. The first part of the program was devoted to a better understanding of trees in our community, looking at both their environmental, economic and health benefits and the downsides when they are not maintained and tended to by their owners. Speaking were Jim McGlone, a conservationist with the Virginia Department of Forestry, and Mike Knapp, director of Fairfax County’s Urban Forestry Management Division. Bob Vickers, Great Falls tree commissioner, discussed the new trail map with tree labels at Riverbend Park (map is available at the park visitor center). To view Mike Knapp's presentation on Urban Forestry, click here

These excellent presentations, punctuated with frequent questions from residents, brought out the benefits of tree canopy cover: stormwater control, habitats for wildlife, energy cost reduction from shade and increased property values for homes. Did you know, for example, in this area, 13% of the rain never reaches the ground when there is tree canopy, thereby reducing the kind of stormwater runoff that has plagued so many homeowners in recent storms? The tree leaves, stems and bark absorb that much of a rainfall.

The speakers also cited studies that have shown insights that are not well known: reduced asthma, stress and fatigue and traffic calming with trees along roads. Commercial areas with pleasant tree canopies have been shown to be good for business and attract entrepreneurial businesses and professionals. Fairfax County’s tree ordinances were explained as well as the county’s Tree Action Plan to boost the tree canopy here to enhance the livability of this region and its effect on land use decisions. It was noted that hazardous trees that may impact roadways or other public spaces are based on a complaint-driven system as the county does not have the resources to police the roadways and public areas.