Hi All,

Thanks for you continuing support and efforts to share this petition. We now have over 2,600 signatures- an excellent showing of how our citizens feel about our trees.

Monday night was the virtual meeting to discuss plans for the Parker-Gray Stadium. It was essentially a reiteration of former plans, with no indication of any intent to make changes. Several people used Zoom's "Q&A" feature to ask about the tree, including myself. We were given the same scripted answer we've received before- that "all" options had been looked at, and because it is so "huge," "unfortunately" the tree cannot be saved. After a few questions about the tree, the meeting's host chided those writing in, saying that the point of the meeting wasn't the tree, and that a decision about it had already been made. 

Clearly we are extremely disappointed at this apparent refusal to reconsider the project's current plans. That same day, Jeremy Flachs, a member of the Environmental Council of Alexandria, wrote an open letter to the School Board, the Mayor, and the City Council. He has requested that I share his letter here. His extensive research into the benefits of old growth trees, and into the city's supposed commitment to its Environmental Action Plan, makes a strong case for saving the Witness Tree, as well as any other older trees throughout our city. The full text is below. I encourage you all to read this letter, and send its message once more to the school board and other leadership in Alexandria. They need to know just how many people care about our trees, and by extension, our city, and our planet.

Thanks,
Erin

August 17, 2020

Mayor and Council for the City of Alexandria
School Board for the City of Alexandria
Dr. Gregory Hutchings, Jr., Superintendent of the Alexandria City Schools
Re: Large Pin Oak at Parker Gray Stadium

Dear City Leaders:

On behalf of the Environmental Council of Alexandria, I am writing to object to any construction at Parker Gray Stadium which would harm the large Pin Oak dubbed the “Witness Tree”. The stadium neighbors have coined the Witness Tree moniker because the tree has witnessed the displacement and fragmentation of an African American community as a result of constructing the high school and its football stadium at its current site.

The Pin Oak is approximately 85 feet tall and has a circumference of between 12-13 feet at the recommended height of 4.5 feet above the ground.  This converts to a diameter of at least 45 inches.  Using a growth factor between 3 and 3.5, the age of the tree is estimated to be between 135 and 150 years old.  This age estimate is based on a standard equation used by arborists and a growth factor for this species in this region. The Witness Tree stands alone on a treeless portion of the school grounds and therefore has developed a huge canopy. The tree is approximately 85 feet tall.

Using the National Tree Benefit Calculator (http://www.treebenefits.com/calculator/) which is limited to a maximum diameter of 45 inches, the Witness Tree will intercept 23,095 gallons of stormwater runoff in one year and it will conserve 424 Kilowatt hours of electricity needed for cooling. The Witness Tree will also modify the climate by providing shade, cooling the air by converting liquid water to water vapor and by absorbing solar energy which would otherwise generate heat. This single tree will reduce atmospheric carbon by 1,346 pounds per year. That is the amount of carbon generated by a flight from New York to Los Angeles.

The School Board has advised that the only place to locate a new concession stand and bathrooms is within the drip line of the Witness Tree. It is difficult to understand how the stadium designers and planners could not figure out another location to save the tree, but the first option I propose is to redesign those facilities to put the concession stand under the bleachers. Further, the City and School Board cannot escape responsibility for destroying valuable mature tree canopy by planting additional small trees. It might take a thousand small trees to perform the cooling and carbon sequestration of this Witness Tree. 

I also note that in July 2019 the City adopted an “Environmental Action Plan (EAP) 2040” which states as follows:

“The City of Alexandria is committed to protecting and promoting public open space with a healthy tree canopy.” “The EAP 2040 actions align with the Open Space Master Plan (2003, updated 2017) and the Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities Strategic Plan to increase the tree canopy to 40 percent by 2035.”

The EAP also includes a short-term goal (Tree Canopy - Section 4.1.1)

“ support increased tree preservation, expansion, maintenance, native species use, and a revised tree canopy coverage goal.” Within the “Introduction” to the EAP, under the caption “Urgency”, the EAP states “The City target is to reduce emissions by 50 percent by 2030 (base year 2005) and to approach net zero or carbon neutral, an 80-100 percent reduction.”

Saving the Witness Tree would implement the short-term goal of tree preservation, and it would also demonstrate a commitment to taking the necessary “urgent” action to reduce carbon emissions.

As with the Potomac Yard Metro Station which destroyed dozens of mature trees in a wetland despite the availability of alternative sites, the City cannot continue to tell citizens that they are too late to preserve tree canopy and open space. The City should be preserving our tree canopy without requiring citizens to review architect’s drawings before learning of destruction of trees and open space. How is the City to be taken seriously about its claim to be an “Eco City” when it continually elevates construction convenience over trees and open space? It’s never too late to do the right thing.

Jeremy Flachs on behalf of the Environmental Council of Alexandria Board Members
Andrew Macdonald
Jeremy Flachs
Hal Hardaway
Katy Cannady
Erin Winograd
Stan Protigal
Vineeta Anand