A local environmental advocacy organization hopes to breathe new life into its efforts.
Supporters of the Arlington Tree Action Group (ATAG) met online May 14 to consider specific initiatives and, potentially, a broader mission. The goal, leader Mary Glass said, was to take a fresh look at the local civic landscape and ATAG’s place within it.
“We know that what’s important to people changes over time,” she said, calling the meeting an opportunity to “step back, think about it and see what people are passionate about.”
Elizabeth Grossman, another longtime member, said the organization has had an impact.
“When we started, no one on the County Board mentioned trees,” she said.
Still, some attendees questioned how much local leaders simply pay lip service.
“I want to hold the county accountable,” one attendee said. “I’d like to constantly be a thorn in their side.”
The County Board in 2023 adopted a new Forestry and Natural Resources Plan, which sets a policy framework for future government efforts.
The plan sets the goal of getting at least 40% of the county under a tree canopy. Various studies have reported differing percentages in recent years, including a 2024 report that pegged it at 35.2%. Some tree advocates questioned that report’s conclusion that canopy levels were on the rise, pointing to their own study in 2022 that showed a decline.
Josh Handler, who serves on the Forestry and Natural Resources Commission and participated in the May 14 session, said the 2023 plan represents a tool to “hold the county management as well as the Board accountable.” He said its adoption “should be viewed as a great step forward.”
Issues discussed at the meeting ranged from the impact of new development on the treescape to limited maintenance of trees planted in public areas.
“The basics are being overlooked,” ATAG member Liz Kirby said of tree maintenance. “That’s so important.”
On the development front, concerns were expressed about the plan by VHC Health and LifePoint Health to construct a major behavioral-health facility on S. Carlin Springs Road. Earlier this year, several members of the Forestry and Natural Resources Commission raised similar concerns.
Janice Hull, who participated in the brainstorming session, said it is vital for the public to reach out to county officials when they see problems or uncover areas needing more trees.
“Let them know. They’re always looking for places to plant,” Hull said.
Given that planning for a major revision to the county’s Comprehensive Plan is now taking place, Glass said the time is right for a full-court advocacy press targeting county leadership.
“There are lots of opportunities to lobby,” she said. “One of the key things is, keep talking to them. You can have a private conversation with County Board members easier than you might think.”
Glass said another key effort going forward needs to be speaking up at site-plan review committees, which are convened to evaluate major development projects, and at other meetings of advisory bodies.
“Say you’re from ATAG,” she told others. “When we go to a commission meeting, they do listen.”
