Anthony T. Amos

The City of Fairfax's first-ever Urban Forest Master Plan provides a 20-year vision for the urban forest. The plan outlines recommendations for investment in policy, staff, operations, and community engagement to achieve five key objectives: Protect, Regulate, Grow, Manage, and Engage. Implementation of this strategic plan is scheduled to begin in 2026, with a focus on field research, data collection, regulatory updates, staff professional development, interdepartmental collaboration, and operational efficiencies.

This Urban Forest Master Plan serves as a long-term roadmap for the City of Fairfax's canopy stewardship. It aims to champion a resilient and equitable urban forest, increase the city's capacity for tree care, and strengthen community support and involvement. The plan focuses on strategic objectives including strengthening tree and forest conservation, enhancing city policies to protect and expand tree canopy, creating space, planting, and caring for new trees, establishing a dedicated urban forestry division, and fostering community stewardship. The overarching vision is to grow a resilient urban forest that contributes to healthy communities, provides climate solutions, and generates cost savings for generations to come.

This report details the annual benefits of Fairfax City's street trees, which include stormwater runoff reduction, energy savings, CO2 reduction, property value increase, and air quality improvement. It highlights the current composition of the urban forest, noting a lack of diversity and issues arising from inadequate tree management practices. The report provides recommendations for proper tree management, including developing Best Management Practices, creating an Urban Forest Management Plan, considering a full-time arborist, and gathering further data to maximize community, environmental, and financial benefits.

This 2024 report for the City of Fairfax details the progress and initiatives within its urban forestry program, emphasizing growth, policy advancements, and community engagement. Key focus areas include strengthening tree conservation through updated ordinances, enhancing stormwater utility credits for tree preservation, and launching community-based initiatives like SPROUT to increase tree canopy and combat climate change. The document highlights achievements such as maintaining Tree City USA status and commencing development of a 20-year Urban Forest Master Plan, reflecting a commitment to fostering a sustainable and accessible urban forest.

Key discussions during the meeting included welcoming a new Deputy Registrar and staff updates from the Director of Elections/General Registrar (DE/GR). The DE/GR provided updates concerning upcoming ballots for the April 21 Special Election, scheduling Logic and Accuracy (L&A) testing, organizing Officer of Election (OE) training, and staffing precincts. The board also addressed the rescission of one Officer of Election appointment and approved the appointments of new officers. Unfinished business included coordinating travel logistics for Electoral Board members attending the VEBA Annual Meeting, noting limitations on compensation due to the City of Fairfax's financial situation. New business involved noting an upcoming surgery for the Secretary and planning the response to a resident's letter concerning litigation related to the Special Election, as well as monitoring proposed changes to election laws.