GFG Advocates for Strong Action to Carry Out County’s Climate Plan
As we reported in last month’s Cascade, several Great Falls Group (GFG) members took part in the process that produced Fairfax County’s Community-wide Energy and Climate Action Plan (CECAP). These GFG members wrote a guidance document for the BOS to direct county government on the critical changes that need to occur to meet the GHG reduction goals set forth in the CECAP. Ann Bennett of the GFG worked with the Fairfax Healthy Communities Network on a letter to the county Board of Supervisors urging full support for CECAP.
Any and all assistance will be greatly appreciated by the group. The county – and the world – have reached a critical point where we must accelerate our efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. You can help advocate for a strong CECAP implementation plan by contacting your supervisor.
Volunteer Action for the Environment - Zero Waste Initiative
Virtual Meeting WHEN: Wed, Nov 17, 7-8 pm WHERE: Zoom link sent after RSVP DETAILS: For our Zero Waste Initiative, we are focusing on three topics:
Promoting composting
Supporting the implementation of the plastic bag tax
Improving recycling
For our November Volunteer Night we will focus on learning more about composting opportunities in the NOVA area and educating ourselves about the dangers of gas leaf blowers. New and experienced participants are all welcome. Come be part of the solution!
CONTACTS: Evelina Hobson or Haiping Luo at zerowastesierra@gmail.com SPONSOR: Sierra Club/Great Falls Group
YOUTH v GOV is the award-winning story of America’s youth taking on the world’s most powerful government. Armed with a wealth of evidence, 21 courageous leaders file a ground-breaking lawsuit against the U.S. government. They assert it has willfully acted over six decades to create the climate crisis, endangering their rights to life, liberty, and property. If they succeed, not only will they make history, but they will also change the future. To learn more visit the YOUTH v GOV film website.
REGISTRATION This is a FREE event. After you register, you'll receive an email with instructions to access your personal link to watch the film.
ONLINE VIEWING PERIOD: Mon, Nov. 8,12 noon until Thur, Nov. 11 at 7 pm EST.
FILM DISCUSSION: On Thur, November 11, at 7:30 pm EST, join attorney Nate Bellinger and several of the youth plaintiffs featured in the film to discuss (1) the federal government’s actions causing the climate crisis, (2) how the crisis impacts Virginia, and (3) how you can join or support a new climate lawsuit against the Commonwealth of Virginia. Bellinger is Senior Staff Attorney for Our Children’s Trust.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors authorized a public hearing for Tuesday, November 9, to consider proposed redistricting plans.
These plans propose new local election districts for the Board of Supervisors and School Board, and after the new districts are adopted, they will be in place for the next 10 years. Please note, the County's redistricting effort will not change school boundaries.
There were 64 plans submitted in total by the Board-appointed committee established to recommend new maps and the public, and these plans may be reviewed through an online dashboard.
The public is strongly encouraged to submit input or comments on these plans before the hearing, as well as provide testimony on November 9. Submit input by email, video or phone, or sign up to speak at the public hearing.
The digital ballot will be sent out three times, to maximize voter participation: first email will be sent November 10, second email will be sent November 17, and third email will be sent November 24. Please be sure to vote (you only need to vote once).
Please contact Catherine Carver if you have questions, want a paper ballot, or you do not receive a digital ballot by November 24.
Power for the People Virginia
Recent posts from Ivy Main's blog on energy-related matters in Virginia.
Success! FCPS Will Not Use Justice Park for Parking
Opposition to paving part of Justice Park in Falls Church to provide parking for an expanded Justice High School has borne fruit. On October 12, Fairfax County Public Schools confirmed that it had come up with a different plan that would not require shrinking green space in an area where it is already lacking.
Because of efforts by the Great Falls Group, Fairfax NAACP, and Justice for Justice Park advocates, among others, FCPS will now go through a rezoning process. Like the proposal floated last spring by advocates for the park, the new proposal will reconfigure the parking and reduce the number of parking spots.
One outcome of this effort was a focus on the history of the parkland. The Fairfax NAACP sponsored a lovely event to explore this history. In addition, local advocate Mark Doehnert has produced a detailed presentation, The Hidden History of Justice Park, that documents quite a bit of the park's story.
Reston National Golf Course Creating Habitat - Part 2
Last month's article covered the installation of bluebird boxes at Reston National Golf Course. Another major improvement has been the planting of two native plant meadows. Native plants are the basis of the entire ecosystem; the new meadows will support the beneficial insects and birds we need to keep our environment healthy.
The meadow restoration is led and funded by golf course owner Scott Plank, who encourages the team of volunteers and coordinators to consider new ways to steward Reston National’s open space. Please join the effort to plant native plants to support our insects and birds by contacting RNGC General Manager Kris Anderson at krisanderson@kempersports.com.
Plant NOVA Natives launches its Tree Rescue Campaign on December 7 to save 6 million trees by 2025 from being smothered by invasive vines. Great Falls Group members are encouraged to join in the effort, whether by working with one of several local groups or by saving trees on their own (see “More details” below).
In addition, the tree-killing vines English ivy, wintercreeper, and Asian wisterias are still sold in all big garden centers in Virginia. So are invasive ground covers Japanese pachysandra and vinca, which spread into our woods and smother tree seedlings. Garden centers also sell running bamboo, a tenacious pest, for privacy screens. Please urge your legislators to ban sales of all invasive plants now!
On October 1 Governor Ralph Northam announced that the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy is now the Virginia Department of Energy (Virginia Energy). The name change was passed by the General Assembly and signed by Governor Northam in April 2021.
“Virginia is all-in on clean energy,” said Governor Northam. “We've passed one of the most sweeping clean energy laws in the country, and we are transitioning our electric grid to 100 percent renewable energy. ”
The change follows the 2020 Virginia Clean Economy Act. The act mandates a standard to achieve 30 percent renewable energy by 2030, an energy efficiency resource standard, and the path to a carbon-free electric grid by 2045.
“Resilient Fairfax” Holds Open Meeting to Explore Climate Change Risks and Strategies
Resilient Fairfax is a team within Fairfax County’s Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination. Its mission is to support “climate resilience” – the ability of communities to prepare for, respond to, and recover from climate hazards, both short and long term.
The team held a virtual public meeting on October 14 to discuss climate issues related to weather, buildings, infrastructure, natural areas, and residents. The meeting allowed Resilient Fairfax to gather feedback on the county's risks in the face of climate change and on ways to lessen or respond to them. See below for more information on the meeting, including a detailed presentation on climate challenges and possible strategies.
Calling All GFG Members: Be Part of Our Pool of Activists!
As a Great Falls Group (GFG) member, you may be interested in joining in protests, rallies or other environment-related actions. These events are often short, usually held safely in the open air, and always uplifting.
Maybe you can go often, maybe just now and then. But how do you find out when they’re happening? Sometimes they’re organized too late to appear in the Cascade.
To be included in our Calls to Action for these events, you can:
And please pass the word to others, even when you can’t come yourself. Hope to see you soon!
Prince William County
Smarter Growth and Sauvignon: A Conversation About Industrial Development in Rural Prince William
WHEN: Nov.10, 5 pm WHERE: The Winery at Sunshine Ridge Farm, 15850 Sunshine Ridge Lane, Gainesville Registration DETAILS: Please join eight conservation groups for an in-person event in Prince William County's beautiful Rural Crescent. Treasured recreational amenities are threatened by proposals to allow industrial development in the Rural Crescent and expand the Data Center Opportunity Overlay. Speakers will share information and answer questions about these troubling proposals and their effects on our green open space, drinking water, and funding for infrastructure needs in underserved areas. CONTACT: alliance@pwconserve.org, 703.490.5200 HOSTS: Prince William Conservation Alliance, Piedmont Environmental Council, American Battlefield Trust, National Parks Conservation Association, Virginia Piedmont Heritage Area Association, Sierra Club Great Falls Group, Virginia Native Plant Society, Coalition to Protect Prince William
Painting Mural Opportunity - Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge
WHEN: October or November WHERE: 13950 Dawson Beach Road, Woodbridge, VA 22191 DETAILS: Help paint a nature-themed mural for the new bathroom at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge. No artistic experience is necessary. SPONSOR: Potomac River National Wildlife Refuge Complex CONTACT: Delaney Curran at delaney_curran@fws.gov
