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7:50 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Annual CSC Presentation
BACKGROUND SUMMARY:
Each commission is providing an annual presentation to the Town Council and this meeting will include a summary from the Conservation and Sustainability Commission
OVERVIEW:
In 2024, the Conservation and Sustainability Commission (CSC) met in January, February, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December. The CSC continues implementation of environmental initiatives to work towards the Town’s sustainability goals.
- Initiated a pilot compost program in a partnership with Veterans Compost at the Vienna Farmers Market from May to October 2024, which resulted in over 13,000 pounds of food scraps diverted from the waste stream in an effort to promote a permanent composting solution within the Town of Vienna.
- Initiated and presented findings from a long-term pro-bono study in coordination with two environmental law firms, Kirkland & Ellis LLP and Ramboll, to evaluate the loss of tree canopy to advocate for a new tree conservation ordinance and establishing a new Tree Advocacy Committee (TAC) to focus on preserving Vienna’s tree canopy.
- Coordinated with the Town’s Economic Development Office on ways to increase the number of businesses and nonprofits participating in and benefiting from the Sustainability Challenge and presented awards to businesses that demonstrated substantial efforts to protect the environment.
- Engaged in outreach campaigns towards Vienna students of all ages with the Student Creativity Contest.
- Coordinated with Hill House Farm & Nursery to host the Fall Native Plant Sale, which featured information booths from the Northern Virginia Bird Alliance Wildlife Sanctuary Program and Native Vienna. In addition to promoting native plants, the event also promoted stormwater conservation and backyard composting with rain barrel and composting tumbler giveaways. Local vendors also sell honey, sharpen gardening tools, and educate about other conservation initiatives.
- Continued to educate residents about native plants by hosting the Tree Seedling Giveaway distributing over 100 bareroot seedlings.
- Hosted the Green Expo at the Community Center and expanded participation to a wider, family-friendly audience. The new lamb mowers demonstration attracted a much larger audience and the Green Expo attendance reached hundreds of new residents this year. The event also featured question and answer sessions from various conservation experts, an exhibit with Secrete Garden Birds and Bees, hands-on activities for children to make their own milkweed seed bombs and pine-cone bird feeder kits, and an energy audit giveaway.
- Worked with the Vienna Public Arts Commission to get additional clean water messages on the storm drains including coordination between Vienna Department of Public Works and Fairfax County Schools for Marshall Road Elementary students to paint the storm drains with artwork and conservation messages.
- Restarted the Eco-Efficient Homes Initiative and recognized several residents for their efforts to conserve resources, utilize energy-efficient technology, and minimize total energy consumption and waste. The initiative aims to promote home energy conservation and efficiency within the Town of Vienna.
- Recognized businesses demonstrating commitment to sustainable energy, water, waste, transportation, and purchasing practices in a voluntary reporting effort through the Sustainability Challenge, which were awarded to four Vienna businesses.
- Coordinated with other Town boards and commissions including the Vienna Public Art Commission, Town Business Liaison Committee, Vienna Business Association, and Town Economic Development Department.
- Outreach with weekly Green Tips distributed through Town of Vienna social media as well as regular Vienna Voice articles on various environmental topics such as recycling, native plants, and composting.
- Maintained the Town of Vienna’s National Wildlife Federation (NWF) Habitat Certification and Arbor Day Foundation Certification.
- Advised Town Council and supported ordinances on limiting light pollution and noise pollution in the Town of Vienna, while the Department of Planning and Zoning evaluates a new lighting ordinance.
FY 24-25 INITIATIVES:
During the December 2024 meeting, the CSC discussed the FY 24-25 top priorities and are still finalizing the list of priorities for the new year. However, a number of FY 24-25 initiatives have already been determined and include the following:
- Utilizing the success of the pilot compost program at the Vienna Farmers Market, advocate and establish a permanent drop-off composting program with an established vendor to further divert food waste from the landfills and promote any composting initiative implemented by the Town of Vienna.
- Continue to host annual CSC events including the Green Expo, Spring and Fall Native Plant Sales, and the Fall Tree Giveaway and attempt to expand attendance especially among young residents with additional exhibits and increased marketing outreach efforts.
- Continue to advise Town Council and promote sustainability in Town policy with a focus on achieving the Town’s sustainability goals including advocating for a reduction in single use plastics, a more stringent lighting ordinance, and advising on ordinances related to native plants while maintaining the Town’s existing certifications such as the NWF Habitat Certification and the Arbor Day Certification.
- Continue to coordinate with other Town boards and commissions including the Vienna Public Art Commission, Town Business Liaison Committee, Vienna Business Association, Windover Heights Board of Review, and the Town Economic Development Department to promote sustainable causes in the Town of Vienna.
- Continue to educate residents through CSC events but also through initiatives such as the revamped Eco-Efficient Initiative to include businesses, the Student Creativity Contest, and working with Town Council on any sustainable initiatives they would like to see emphasized such as the Leave the Leaves campaign promoting residents to participate in leaf composting.
- Work closely with the newly formed Tree Advocacy Committee to both maximize efficiency between the two groups and to combine efforts to educate the public on the new tree canopy requirements and emphasize the importance on protecting Vienna’s existing tree canopy.
SUMMARY/STAFF IMPRESSIONS:
RECOMMENDATION: