Photo: BETTY from MEMPHIS, TN, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Joan Haffey
Stretch Our Parks is a flagship ASNV program that relies on partnerships among ASNV, parks, conservation groups, and neighborhood and community groups to achieve the daunting goal of reversing habitat loss in our rapidly urbanizing area. As such, Stretch Our Parks is both a conservation and a social initiative, aimed at improving and creating wildlife habitat while building a greater commitment by a broader northern Virginia community in saving wildlife.
Tree Stewards Arlington Alexandria
One important partner in this effort is the Tree Stewards of Arlington and Alexandria, active in Stretch Our Parks programs in both communities. Tree Stewards are northern Virginia volunteers who enhance a sustainable urban forest through volunteer activities and public education programs. In Stretch Our Parks, they mobilize members to participate in conservation events and provide valued advice about removing invasive ivies and vines choking trees without damaging trees in the process. Tree Stewards have expertise in native saplings appropriate for replanting efforts in various habitats and provide oversight and educational messages to other volunteers working on or around trees. Check out their website for information on tree-related events and classes!
Nora Palmatier, retiring this year as the organization’s president, is optimistic about the future. She writes, “How thrilled I am to see so many younger people getting involved and working to make a change. . . . I love seeing how many high school and college students and recently retired people are stepping up.”
Marion Ennis, who coordinates the Tree Stewards’ Stretch Our Parks activities in Arlington, is a member of the management team for the habitat restoration project reaching from Upton Hill Regional Park including and beyond Powhatan Springs Skate Park eastward toward Bluemont Park. That team includes representatives from ASNV, Arlington Regional Master Naturalists, and the Tree Stewards. She mobilizes her colleagues and participates herself in key habitat restoration work. “Working on such projects reveals how many people from multiple groups have the same purpose to conserve nature to create a better and healthier community with wildlife.”
Restoring habitat for birds and other wildlife requires an “all hands on deck” effort. Partnering with sister organizations with specialized contributions as well as park authorities and community groups and homeowners will help us all achieve true progress together.