Only YOU can save our trees!

Want to spend a couple fun hours in the fresh air, in the company of others helping to save our trees? All are invited to participate in a “Week of Action”, November 8-16, when people across Fairfax County will come together to rescue trees from invasive vines.

Our trees are increasingly being smothered and strangled by invasive vines and crowded out by aggressive non-native plants. To combat this growing threat, a new collaboration of public and private organizations has organized Fairfax Tree Rescuers PRISM - Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management -  a community-wide initiative with the motto “Only YOU can save our trees.”

Founded by many of the leaders within the Plant NOVA Natives/Plant NOVA Trees partnership as a focused extension of that work, the campaign calls on residents, community groups, and public officials to take part in a united effort to protect the native plants that beautify our neighborhoods, reduce flooding, and sustain our local ecosystems. Launch events are planned throughout the county, giving participants hands-on opportunities to learn about invasive plants and to help rescue trees in their own communities. Those events are listed on the FairfaxPRISM website. Registration is required for the tree rescue events because of limited parking in some locations.

Although invasive plant management has long taken place in parks, the problem extends (and originated) far beyond those areas. The PRISM partnership aims to mobilize residents countywide to take direct action — freeing trees on private property and adopting nearby public spaces such as parks, trails, and roadsides.

Volunteers are also available for free site visits to help community associations, faith groups, and businesses identify and manage invasive plants. Homeowners who would like to make their yards more tree- and habitat-friendly can request a free visit from an NVBA Wildlife Sanctuary Program Ambassador. 

In an area of 400 square miles that is home to 1.2 million people, getting the job done will require participation by thousands of people, many doing the organizing from their computers and many more doing the physical work. That work can be challenging but immensely rewarding, relieving trees of their burdens while enjoying exercise in a beautiful setting. To learn how you can help or get help, see FairfaxPrism.org/.

This PRISM covers Fairfax County, Clifton, Vienna, the City of Fairfax, Herndon, and the City of Falls Church. There are many other PRISMs across the United States. In Virginia, the Blue Ridge PRISM has done an incredible job at training and education as well as state-wide leadership.The National Capital PRISM focuses on Early Detection/Rapid Response to try to control new introductions while there is still a chance of eradicating them. The Northern Neck PRISM just got started last year. In addition, the Loudoun Invasive Removal Alliance and Fairfax Invasive Removal Alliance have been organizing community associations. This is not to mention the numerous agencies and organizations across Northern Virginia that offer opportunities to work on invasive plants and which can be found on the Plant NOVA Trees website. All these groups work in close partnership with each other and together hope to achieve a Virginia where people, native plants, and wildlife thrive together.