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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...
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