Join the Friends of Live Oaks this fall and you will get a free live oak sapling as long as the trees last!
We have lots of little saplings looking for a home. We had planned to give these trees to new members at the tree celebration, TreeTopia, at Mount Trashmore that was recently rained out.
Dues are $25 for individuals and $100 for a business or community group.
Mail a check, payable to Friends of Live Oaks, c/o Clay Bernick, 214 A 84th Street, Virginia Beach Va. 23451.
Give us your name, cell number/email and address and we’ll bring a live oak to you!!!
A reenactment clause was added to each bill. They will come up again in the 2022 session for reenactment. This clause allows for the bills to remain as they are, or to be changed if desired. A stakeholder group was created at the end of the 2021 session, chaired by the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of Natural Resources to evaluate the bills further and report its recommendations back to the House and Senate by November 1, 2021. I’ll keep an eye out for this report and pass it along when it is released. The House Bill will be referred to its Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns. The Senate bill will be referred to its Local Government Committee.
As of now, the House Committee members for our City are: Askew and Guy
As of now, the Senate Committee members for our City are: DeSteph and Kiggans
There could be changes to these members after the November 2 election.
Actions to Take:
1 – Write members of City Council NOW and ask for them to include support for reenacting both bills in their legislative package – usually adopted by City Council in early November. A list of them and contact info is here: https://www.vbgov.com/government/departments/city-manager/Pages/form-of-government-and-city-officials.aspx Please note the Lynnhaven District seat is currently vacant – City Council will appoint a member to fill that vacancy soon.
2- Write your local House and Senate representatives and ask them to support reenacting their respective bills during the 2022 session. You can find your representatives here: https://whosmy.virginiageneralassembly.gov There could be changes to these members after the November 2 election.
“A. Any locality with a population density of at least 75 persons per square mile or any locality within the Chesapeake Bay watershed may adopt an ordinance providing for the planting and replacement of trees during the development process…”
“3. That the provisions of the first enactment of this act shall not become effective unless reenacted by the 2022 Session of the General Assembly.”
“In Arlington and Virginia Beach, two of the most recent municipalities to conduct tree canopy assessments, canopy is holding steady on municipal property but trending downward on private property due to infill, redevelopment, and homeowner removal.
Loss of biodiversity is another critical challenge we face which may impact ecosystems as much as climate change, pollution, and other major forms of environmental stress. Trees provide food, habitat, shelter, and breeding areas need- ed to restore and sustain Virginia’s wildlife biodiversity.
SOLUTION We need to prioritize the preservation of intact forests as well as individual mature trees during development. For example, during the engineering process, consider how to protect natural resources first and adjust site plans accordingly….”
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