March 2021 Great Falls Group Cascade |
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Significant Events Calendar
Mar. 8 - Volunteer Action for the Environment
Mar. 14 - CECAP survey ends
Mar. 18 - 28 - All-Virtual Environmental Film Festival in the Nation's Capital
Mar. 21 - Climate Change and Public Health
Mar. 23 - 25 - 2021 Environment Virginia Symposium
Mar. 24 - 25 - CECAP Working Groups
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Have something you'd like to say? Send comments or questions to the editor.
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Volunteer Action for the Environment |
Virtual Meeting
WHEN: Monday, March 8, at 5-6:15 pm
WHERE: Zoom-link sent after RSVP
DETAILS: Join us to learn and to share ideas to protect the environment. First, short presentations about the threat of gold mining and pipelines in Virginia; then, information about the Student Environmental Action Showcase (SEAS) and the work to ban polluting gas-powered leaf blowers. Then choose a breakout room to
collaborate. Come join us and be part of the solution.
SPONSOR: Sierra Club/Great Falls Group
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Image sources:
gold prospector - pinclipart.com
leaf blower - Homedepot.com
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CECAP to Shape Energy/Climate Plan via Online Surveys and Meetings |
Here’s a fresh chance for Great Falls Group members to speak up! On February 22, Fairfax County’s Community-wide Energy and Climate Action Plan (CECAP) released three public surveys in four languages to help guide the planning process. They are dedicated to energy, transportation, development, and waste issues. You can find all of the surveys online here. The surveys will remain open until March 14.
Public meetings are another important vehicle shaping CECAP’s work. At two recent meetings, dozens of county residents voiced opinions on why people might feel encouraged – or discouraged – to adopt measures that save energy, support better transit and sustainability options, handle waste more effectively, and widen access to green spaces. The March Working Group meetings are March 24 and 25.
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Power for the People Virginia |
Recent posts from Ivy Main's blog on energy-related matters in Virginia, from public solar barriers to General Assembly drama.
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Ivy Main, Conservation Co-Chair &
Renewable Energy Chair
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Climate Action Plan for Prince William County - Maybe
Prince William might be the last jurisdiction in the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (MWCOG) to get "woke" about the climate. But it joined the other 23 MWCOG jurisdictions last November in committing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent below 2005 levels within 10 years.
That 2030 target will be hard to meet. The county generates an estimated 5.0 million metric tons of CO2 equivalent (MMTCO2e) now - up from its 2005 emissions of 4.2 MMTCO2e. To meet the 2030 target of 2.1 MMTCO2e will require dramatic action.
A Climate Action Plan will reveal that continuing "business is usual" for roads, and increasing vehicle miles traveled by expanding housing sprawl, will make a mockery of the county's climate commitment with MWCOG.
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Climate Change and Public Health
WHEN: Sunday, March 21, 2 pm - 3 pm
DETAILS: Join the Climate Action Group/UUCF for Climate Conversations #3, "Climate Change and Public Health." Panelists are Dr. Neelu Tummalu, Steering Committee, VA Clinicians for Climate Action; Ms. Karen T. Campblin, President, Fairfax County NAACP; and Mr. Pieter Sheehan, REHS, Director, Division of Environmental Health, Fairfax County Health Department.
SPONSOR: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fairfax
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DC Environmental Film Festival |
The Annual DC Environmental Film Festival (virtual) will be March 18 - 28, with over 100 exciting films to be presented. The film schedule will be coming out soon with tickets sales starting March 2.
This year the Great Falls Group will be hosting a wrap-up session (date to be announced) where you can express your views on the movie, discuss what actions should be taken, tell what you learned from it, and see who else shares your interests. If you didn’t attend the movie, you can hear what other people thought of it.
If you want more information about the wrap-up session, please email Norbert at norbertsierra@aol.com and we will let you know when the wrap-up session will be in early April.
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Proposed Transfer of Blake Lane Park to the Park Authority; Justice Park at Risk |
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, April 13, 2021 about the proposed transfer of Blake Lane Park from the Fairfax County School Board to the Fairfax County Park Authority. This may mark an important step in the effort to protect the park from being paved over for a new school.
The public is invited to testify (3 minutes) on April 13 via telephone call, video, in-person, or in writing. Every new voice added to the discussion helps, so GFG members are asked to consider adding theirs.
In less hopeful news, Justice Park is now at risk. A proposed design includes building a new parking lot on the basketball courts in Justice Park.
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Say NO to Transurban's "495 NEXT" |
Transurban, the Australian operator of the high-occupancy toll lanes (HOT) on I-495 in Virginia, wants to widen the Beltway to extend the toll lanes from Tyson's to the American Legion Bridge. The company just sent out a slick mailer touting a slew of environmental benefits from the move – maybe you’ve received one in your mailbox. It includes detachable postcards you’re urged to send to your public officials.
Transurban claims the longer HOT lanes will ease traffic jams - but this is not the solution. Studies have shown more roads leads to more traffic congestion. Please read this blog, push this information to your social media, and write your Fairfax County supervisor.
If you write your supervisor, or want to get involved in any Great Falls Group (GFG) area transportation issue, please send email to gfg.495.next@gmail.com.
Thanks to Renee Grebe and team in generating this social media post/blog.
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source: http://conservationblog.anshome.org/blog/495next-needs-more/ |
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Fairfax Plans to Redevelop the Fair Oaks Mall |
Fairfax plans to redevelop the Fair Oaks Mall as a mixed-use, transit-oriented community. If done right, redevelopment of Fair Oaks would create a win-win-win for the environment, current and future residents, and Fairfax’s economic growth.
The Sierra Club is collaborating with the Coalition for Smarter Growth, Audubon Naturalist Society, Northern Virginia Affordable Housing Alliance and other members of the Fairfax Healthy Communities network to advocate for sustainable redevelopment at Fair Oaks that expands access to open spaces and affordable housing options.
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The Greater Prince William Trails Coalition
The Greater Prince William Trails Coalition is looking for your ideas on where you would like trails to be located in Prince William County. In the following link you have the ability to draw a line where you would like to have a trail. Also, the Greater Prince William Trails Coalition upcoming events and meetings are listed.
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Rachel Carson and Gabrielson Bridge |
As March is Women's History Month, we wanted to tell you about a connection that has been discovered between Rachel Carson and Dr. Ira Gabrielson, for whom the bridge is named. Ms. Carlson worked for Dr. Gabrielson at the US Fish and Wildlife Service in the 1940s and 50s, and she was inspired by his work on pesticides to write her seminal book, Silent Spring.
The Fairfax County Park Authority has recently renamed Gabrielson Bridge to "Burnet Bridge," and in the interest of preserving the legacy of the area, we are asking that you contact the Park Authority and the BOS to ask them to rescind this order.
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The new Gabrielson bridge was being lowered into place on 2/11/21.
Photo credit: Lindsey Arturo
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States' Records on Invasive Plants |
The U.S has over 1,200 invasive plant species (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service), which cost billions a year to remove. Invasive plants displace native plants; provide poor value to our birds, pollinators, and other wildlife; and may change soil chemistry making it hard for other plant species to take root.
However, it is extremely difficult to ban sales. The nursery trade fights any restrictions on its stock, so states are reluctant to ban popular nursery plants. Even so, some states have managed to ban sales of a number of invasive plants.
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Invasive Bamboo
Source: bambooremoval.com
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People's Debates for the Three Statewide Primaries |
Virtual Meetings
WHEN: March 2, 7 p.m. Attorney General Forum
March 11, 7 p.m. Lieutenant Governor Forum
March 16, 7 p.m. Governor Forum
DETAILS: This year the Commonwealth will vote for a new governor, lieutenant governor, and attorney general, and the Democratic Party is fielding a ton of experienced and energized candidates.
Join dozens of racial, economic, and climate justice groups across Virginia for a series of virtual People's Debates for each of the 3 statewide offices on the ballot beginning Tuesday March 2.
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Home Energy Conservation During COVID (Part 2) |
Newer houses which are certified energy efficient such as Energy Star certified, or ones labeled under the Home Energy Rating System (HERS) are sealed and tested under pressure. If you live in one of those houses, then you can skip this article. However, most houses, even many recently built ones in Virginia were not tested.
Unless mitigating work has already been done since construction to improve the energy performance, you may reasonably expect your house is much leakier than is required to provide for adequate air exchange. This article will show you how to test and seal your house.
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When you clean out your closet, how many items go in the trash? The average American throws out 70 pounds of clothing each year. Unsustainable fashion is causing waste to pile up and contributing to climate change. But we can reduce our overconsumption of clothing and repurpose our clothes to create less waste. The Environmental Action Team has five tips to reduce your closet's impact on the planet.
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Source:
https://greenactioncentre.ca/reduce-your-waste/how-to-recycle-your-clothes/
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Could Your Community Environmental Issue Benefit from a Letter to the Editor? |
Letters to the editor (LTEs) raise public awareness on issues. Often the editorial page, with its LTEs, is the most read section of the paper. Elected officials ask their staff to read LTEs to learn what issues are important to their constituents. Could your community benefit from an LTE in either a local or Richmond paper? Let the GFG LTE Writers Group know and they will help you . Please contact Linda Brown.
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Checking and Updating Your Sierra Club Contact and Membership Information
Are you not getting your Sierra Club communications -- or maybe you're getting too much? Or do you just want to see if your membership information is correct? Go to My Account on the Sierra Club National website to address these issues and, if needed, update your info.
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Sierra Club
Climate and Energy
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Ways to Stay in Touch with GFG |
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Send comments or questions to the editor.
Thank you!
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