Urban Tree Canopy Increases, Providing Many Community Benefits

April 26, 2012

ROANOKE, VA – Recently released data indicates that the city’s Urban Tree Canopy has increased from 32 percent to 48 percent since 1997. This data was reported in a comprehensive study completed by the Virginia Department of Forestry, University of Vermont, Virginia Tech, and the Roanoke Valley Alleghany Regional Commission. Trees provide many benefits to the Roanoke community, including:

•Removing 304 tons of air pollutants each year, for a total annual value of $2,270,000
•Providing an annual energy benefit of $511,000
•Increasing property values by $913,127 from street trees
•Providing an annunal stormwater benefit of $1,022,236 from street trees
•Providing a benefit-cost ratio of street trees of 6.61 to 1

In addition, the National Arbor Day Foundation reports that “it has been conservatively estimated that over $1.5 billion per year is generated in tax revenue for communities in the U.S. due to the value of privately owned trees on residential property.” Roanoke’s comprehensive plan, Vision 2001-2020, states that “maintaining and increasing the city’s tree canopy will have a beneficial impact on air quality, stormwater control, noise levels, temperature and visual appearance.” Dan Henry, Roanoke Urban Forester, says “tree canopy plays an important role in Roanoke’s popular and growing greenway and outdoor tourism movement.”

For more information, contact Urban Forester Dan Henry at (540) 853-1994.

Build Your Own Rain Barrel Workshop
March 31, 2012 (12:30pm- 4:30pm)

Learn how to build your own rain barrel! After this workshop, you’ll also have the knowledge to host your own rain barrel workshop. The registration fee is $67 per rain barrel. It will be held at the Roanoke Council of Garden Clubs at 3640 Colonial Ave, Roanoke, VA 24018.

To register call: (434) 395-2602 or email: cleanva@longwood.edu

Hosted by Roanoke Council of Garden Clubs, Clean Virginia Waterways, & Chesapeake Bay Restoration

Sustainable Living Workshop

Date: April 20, 2012
Time: 8:30am- 3:00pm
Location: Virginia Western Community College Greenfield Education & Training Center, Daleville.

The workshop will bring together community leaders, educators, stakeholders, and citizens in the greater Roanoke Valley and the New River Valley regions of southwest Virginia to interactively discuss diverse perspectives and case studies related to sustainable living. The Honorable Senator John Edwards is the luncheon speaker. The workshop is hosted by the Cabell Brand Center for Global Poverty and Resource Sustainability Studies and co-sponsored by several regional organizations, including the Clean Valley Council.

Workshop agenda and registration information are posted on the website: http://www.cabellbrandcenter.org

Earth Day Roanoke
Saturday, April 21, 2012
10 AM to 4 PM
Grandin Village
http://earthdayroanoke.com/

33rd Annual Clean Valley Day!
March 31, 2012
8:30am Kick off at Vic Thomas Park
9:00am -12:00pm Clean up – your location of choice

Clean Valley Council (CVC) welcomes individuals and groups to volunteer for our annual spring cleanup. Last year we had 76 teams and 1800 volunteers from the Cities of Roanoke and Salem, the Town of Vinton, and the counties of Roanoke and Botetourt.

This is a valley-wide clean up promotes respect and dedication to the beautiful community we share. It is a great opportunity for team-building for corporations and organizations. So, let’s get going! Pick your spot, a park, playground, roadside or a stream bank or your very own neighborhood that have an accumulation of unsightly litter just waiting for you. Please help to keep our valley beautiful and its waterways clean. All volunteers are provided with trash bags and gloves. Register today! http://www.cleanvalley.org/~cv540/clean-valley-day

The Citizens for Clean and Green Committee will offer
another installment of its popular City of Roanoke Green Academy
beginning Thursday, March 1, at Fishburn Park Elementary School.
Sessions will be held on consecutive Thursday evenings March 1, 8,
16, and 23, with a light dinner at 5:30 p.m. and presentations from 6
to 8 p.m. A graduation will be held on Thursday, March 29.

The Green Academy is an environmental awareness program for city
residents that gives participants a chance to learn from regional
experts on important environmental issues of the day. Information
will be shared on topics such as energy conservation, weatherization,
renewable energy, water conservation, green building and more.

Participation is free, but space is limited, and registration is
required. An application form is available on the city’s website at
http://www.roanokeva.gov/green. For more information about the program,
contact City of Roanoke Director of General Services and
Sustainability Ken Cronin at 853-1805.

City of Roanoke Electronics Recycling Event this Saturday, January 21, 2012

In support of environmental stewardship, the City of
Roanoke reminds residents that Valley View Mall will be the site for
an electronics recycling collection event this Saturday, Jan. 21,
from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Collections will be taking place in the
overflow parking lot between Sears and Belk on the I-581 side of the
main mall building. In addition to electronics, household appliances
that do not contain Freon will also be accepted at no charge. The
event is being coordinated by 5R Processors Ltd., a company dedicated
to responsible recycling. During the event, 5R will also offer DOD
wiping service to customers at $10 per hard drive. For a list of
acceptable items and more details about this event, please visit the
website http://www.5rprocessors.com.

New Virginia specialty license plate supports community trees

A new Virginia specialty license plate is available for pre-order. The Virginia Loves Trees license plate, featuring a community skyline enhanced by trees in eye-catching blues and greens, is designed to raise awareness of the value of community trees.

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Read more online at http://www.vtnews.vt.edu/articles/2011/11/111411-cnre-virginiatreeslicenseplate.html