WCA Meeting Minutes 4/23/02

Board Members: Don Gross, Ellen Jones, Ann Lunson, Dede O'Donnell, Jim Toronto
Committee Chairs: Sara Anderson (newsletter distribution); Jim Finley (Williamsburg Boulevard Project)
Guest Speaker: James Bartelan

Items Distributed: (1) Handouts from Arlington County Department of Parks and Recreation including Invaders in Our Backyards, Controlling English Ivy, Benefits of Trees, New Tree Planting, Pruning Young Trees, (2) Meeting agenda, (3) WCA Bylaws, (4) Summary of Proposed Changes to the Bylaws

The meeting started at 7:35 p.m.

Program:
Slowing the loss of tree canopy in Arlington

Mr. Bartelan said that one of Mr. Zimmerman's initiatives in January is to slow the loss of tree canopy in Arlington. He presented information on the background of tree plantings all the way back to Johnny Appleseed, as he planted millions of seeds in Massachusetts and the Wye oak in Maryland, which is the oldest white oak in the country, estimated to have been planted in the 1500's.

He talked about the character trees give neighborhoods like the white oak on N.16th Street and Patrick Henry Drive (estimated to be a couple of hundred of years old) and the new plantings at Clarendon Park. Street trees give a sense of place and have a calming effect. Lack of trees creates an unfriendly atmosphere. He compared the tree canopy loss between 1973 and 1997 which shows that most of the loss has occurred in the business districts. We are seeing between 60-100% loss of coverage over 1800 acres in the county.

Mr. Bartelan talked about why trees are important mentioning the importance to the environment (reducing urban noise, reducing pollutants, providing habitats for other living things, producing oxygen, etc.) and to the economy (reducing energy costs increasing property values, inviting environment, etc.).

He stressed that tree initiatives are usually a three to four year process. Current initiatives underway include preparing a master plan, enforcing site plans, ensuring compliance with the preservation ordinance, avoiding invasive vegetation, increasing tree plantings, and working within tree planting standards. The master plan includes a street tree inventory, a canopy analysis and a planning process. To enforce compliance with the appropriate ordinances, the County hopes to add an inspector.

As for invasive vegetation, the County will assess the current situation and work with the public to educate (in conjunction with the VA Extension Service. The tree plantings are expected to increase an additional 400 trees per year, up from the current 800. Lastly, the County is looking for best practices when it comes to tree planting in urban areas.

Mr. Bartelan talked about the 9-11 Memorial Tree program which is a cost sharing program with the American Forest Company. The goal is to plant 184 trees in memory of the heroes who died at the Pentagon. An additional program is the Tree Give-away program that will be held at Bluemont Park at the W&OD trail on Neighborhood Day.

Business Meeting

Ellen Jones listed the programs for upcoming meetings.

The rest of the meeting was dedicated to the proposed revisions to the bylaws. Discussion occurred on Article VI, sections 2 and 4, Article VII, section 1, Article IX, section 1, Article XII, section 1, Article XIII, section 6, and Article XVI. All discussions required a vote of the membership. The additional changes were captured. The members voted in favor of the revised version of the Bylaws (with changes approved at the meeting) and will be reflected in the final version available on the web site.

The meeting adjourned at 9:05 p.m.