Of Interest

Urban Forest Alliance

The recently formed Urban Forest Alliance (UFA) has joined with FACA in their mission to protect our precious tree canopy and greenspaces through the elimination of weeds and invasive species that are killing our trees, and the planting of native pollinator species to improve the health of our trees, shrubs and flowering plants.

The Virginia Department of Forestry recently awarded a $5200. matching grant to FACA/UFA to pay for the clearing and restoration of a section of the VDOT owned right of way between Old Dominion Drive and Vermont Avenue at Park Road. Matching funds are needed to make this project possible. Donations may be made on-line at https://givebutter.com/ufa-faca or by check payable to Treasurer, FACA and delivered to 1912 Virginia Ave., McLean, VA 22101. Please note “VT Ave Strip” at the bottom of the check.

More information about UFA and the Park Road/Old Dominion/Vermont Ave. project can be found here and here. A copy of the fund raising letter can be found here.

The Threat to Our Forest

The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation has identified approximately 90 species of invasive plants now growing in Virginia. (About 40 of them are being sold at commercial nurseries.) Several of these plants have been spotted in our neighborhood and some, like porcelain berry and winter creeper are vines that can kill our trees. Several trees in our neighborhood have already been attacked by these vines and are in danger of being strangled by them.

Loss of our forest is more than just an aesthetic loss. Our trees add value to our property and make it more salable. They also reduce our heating/air conditioning bills, provide shelter and forage for our native wildlife and help reduce global warming.

Everyone needs to be on the lookout for these invasive plants and we need to take immediate action to prevent them from destroying our trees. Please read here to learn how to identify these invasive plants and how to prevent them from killing our trees.

Annual FACA Meeting

Due to the current Covid-19 pandemic, this year’s annual meeting has been postponed until further notice.

The FACA President and Board Members bid you all keep safe and stay well.

Help Save Our Pollinators and Songbirds!

Be on the lookout for the following invasive plant species known to be in our neighborhood: garlic mustard, Japanese knotweed, wineberry and multiflora rose. These plants are choking out our native plants and trees, poisoning our soil, and killing or endangering important pollinators like butterflies, which reduces the songbird population when the caterpillars disappear as a food source for baby birds.

Each of these species is listed on the Virginia Invasive Plant Species List from the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, and the state and Fairfax County are asking for your help with safe and effective removal.

Don’t be fooled by how harmless they may look by the roadside or among your trees and garden plants: many of these invasive plants can produce thousands of seeds each, and wind and stormwater can carry them far and wide.

Farmers and taxpayers spend billions of dollars each year eradicating these species to prevent losses to agriculture, a vital part of our state’s economy.

Last, but not least, eliminating these threats has both immediate and long-term positive impacts on the climate crisis. Preserving our trees stores carbon. And eradicating the invasive plants and reducing the short- and long-term demand for herbicides means less fossil fuels consumed in both the production and transportation of these chemicals.

Click on the links below to read more about these invasive plants and methods for eradicating them.

• Garlic Mustard
• Japanese Knotweed
• Wineberry
• Multiflora Rose

For further information or help, contact

Fairfax County Public Works and Environmental Services (703) 324-5033

Fairfax County Park Authority Non-Native Invasive ID and Control

Downtown McLean, Plans for the Future

As you all know, McLean Properties, the developer for Main Street, McLean, abandoned the project in June (2017), however, the plan is not dead. In May 2018, the County initiated the McLean Community Business Center (CBC) Study which created a Vision Plan that was finalized in December, 2018.

In an effort to reimagine the vision for the McLean Community Business Center (CBC), Fairfax County kicked off the McLean CBC Study in May 2018 with a community visioning process. Community input from the visioning process workshops and guidance from a consultant resulted in the creation of a Vision Plan which was finalized in December 2018. The Vision Plan is the framework for considering changes to the Comprehensive Plan recommendations for the CBC.

Planning has continued since that time and the latest draft, dated 5 October 2020 can be viewed here.

Neighborhood Deer Management

The deer population in the Franklin Park Area has grown so large that it presents a danger to both deer and residents.  The impact of the overabundant deer population risks increasing numbers of deer-vehicle accidents, spread of disease and reduced habitat quality. On 9 Nov a meeting sponsored by the Fairfax County Police Department was held at Haycock Elementary School on the topic of managing the deer population in the county. The Fairfax County Police Department has proposed to open the Powhatan Hills Park to deer hunting using archery. A copy of the letter received by FACA can be read here.   FACA Board Members responded favorably to the plan with a letter to Supervisor Foust.  Copies of this letter and Mr. Foust’s reply can be read here.

Tysons: Past, Present and Future

For those of you who are interested in the transformation of Tysons Corner, there is an interesting slide show that you can view here. Also, the county’s comprehensive plan for Tysons Corner is here.

Minor’s Hill Historic Marker

DONATIONS FOR AN HISTORIC MARKER FOR MINOR’s HILL ARE BEING SOUGHT – The historic home at the top of Minor’s Hill (corner of Virginia and N.Nottingham) was demolished last week to construct three new homes. Last December the President of FACA, requested that Fairfax County arrange for experts to examine the site for artifacts and to document its history dating back to 1690, before all was lost. As a result, two volunteer experts prepared a very interesting report that you can access a copy of it here.

We are working to place a permanent Historic Marker at the site, to mark the history of Minor’s Hill. The Fairfax County Historic marker will cost approximately $5,000. We need your support in this effort and ask you to please send a check in any amount to Mr. Wayne Knight, FACA Treasurer at 1912 Virginia Ave, McLean VA 22101. Please make your check payable to FACA and designate on the check (lower left memo line) that the money is for the historic marker.

On-Line Power Outage Information

Dominion Power has launched a new power outage map that is available on-line and on smart phone apps that will give customers updated information on power outages. The map features:

• 15 minute updates
• customizable street level or satellite imagery
• improved search options
• bookmarking to save addresses and areas
• icon indicating arrival of repair crew to work on outage

To see the new map, click here.

Office of Emergency Management

The Fairfax County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) provides emergency mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery services to the residents of Fairfax County. The office provides a newsletter and a blog that offer information on how to be prepared for and handle emergencies such as floods, earthquakes and other disasters. Click here to visit the OEM website.

Nextdoor Franklin Park

Franklin Park residents are encouraged to join Nextdoor Franklin Park. Those residents who have not received an invitation to join Nextdoor Franklin Park and wish to do so may request an invitation by sending a note to Webmeister@franklinarea.org