5th Annual Providence District

Environmental Workshop - March 20, 2004

THANK YOU for making this annual event a success this year! Chairman Gerry Connolly, Supervisor Penny Gross and other local officials joined various community leaders and Providence residents for an excellent event.

Workshop photos - click here!

Workshops were presented by:

(click on a name for more information)

Dr. Dudley Rochester formerly of the American Lung Association of Virginia
Dr. Rochester received the MD degree from Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons in 1955. He served as intern and assistant medical resident at Presbyterian Hospital in New York 1955-58, and as research fellow in cardio-pulmonary physiology at Bellevue Hospital 1958-60. Following active duty in the US Army Medical Corps 1960-62, he was assistant professor of medicine at the Columbia University at Bellevue Hospital 1962-68, then associate professor at Harlem Hospital. In 1976 Dr. Rochester became professor of medicine and head of the division of pulmonary medicine at the University of Virginia. After retiring in 1994 he held numerous volunteer positions in the American Lung Association of Virginia, culminating in two terms as president from 2000-02. He served on the board of the Virginia Conservation Network in 2003-2003, and helped create the Virginia clean Air Advocates.

Throughout his clinical practice, Dr. Rochester observed the adverse health effects of smoking cigarettes. At Harlem Hospital he also saw patients with lung injury due to inhalation of smoke and flames. Subsequently he became interested in lung damage and other health effects of air pollution, particularly ambient outdoor pollution. He is an active advocate for clean air issues through the American Lung Association of Virginia and the Virginia Clean Air Advocates.

EcoStewards Alliance (11 a.m. session)
Peter Kelsey is the Founder and Vision Keeper of non-profit EcoStewards Alliance, a leading voice in the Chesapeake Region during the past 10 years for living more simply and walking more lightly on the Earth. "Voluntary simplicity" and "EcoStewardship" are mindful choices coming from the inside out that reduce consumption and align ourselves with nature in ways that are beneficial to the environment. In making these choices we can move from over consumption of the Earth's resources to the good life. Mr.. Kelsey will discuss the fundamental connections that the Simplicity Movement and EcoStewardship have with a sustainable future.

Potomac River Greenways Coalition
The presentation focuses on watersheds and directly aims at answering the following questions:

What is a watershed?
Why are watersheds important to a homeowner, community member, and Fairfax County resident?
How does the health of watersheds affect economics, the environment, recreation and human safety?
What is the quality of watersheds in Fairfax County?
What can citizens and community associations do to protect and restore streams in their neighborhoods?

Fairfax Audubon Society
Fairfax Audubon Society will present an overview of the Audubon at Home in Northern Virginia Program, a program that is supported by Audubon and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. This program is designed to encourage people in their homes and communities to use environmentally friendly practices that help to create and improve healthy habitat for people and wildlife. We will discuss 5 topics that are the major focus of the program and offer suggestions for ways in which homeowners can implement bet practices on their own properties.

Wildlife Biologists - Fairfax County Police
They will be presenting current wildlife issues being faced by the county residents as well as educational information about the counties wildlife. These include the overabundance of deer and the deer/vehicle collisions plaguing the county. We will also present some information on Canada goose-human conflicts and solutions. They will have brochures and pamphlets to hand out regarding wildlife issues in the county.

Fairfax County Division of Solid Waste Collection and Recycling
The Fairfax County Solid Waste Management Program will present the results of its effort to develop a new 20-year plan to manage almost everything we throw away or recycle, including yard waste, brush, household trash, recyclables, commercial trash, industrial waste, and construction debris. This plan, known as the Solid Waste Management Plan, projects waste management needs for our expanding population, while addressing regulatory requirements, environmental quality needs and technological developments. This presentation will include a 15-minute overview of the draft plan and staff from the Solid Waste Management Program will answer questions from the audience about the approach for managing refuse and recyclables over the next 20 years.

Fairfax County Maintenance and Stormwater Management Division and Fairfax County Stormwater Planning Division (joint presentation)
Several exciting initiatives are taking place by the Department of Public Works and Environmental Services - Stormwater Planning Division and Maintenance and Stormwater Management Division throughout the Providence District and countywide. Learn about some of the innovative enhanced stormwater detention facilities being implemented to manage stormwater runoff while simultaneously improving the water quality of our streams and how you can get more involved in the watershed planning process.

The meaning of stormwater management has evolved through out the years in Fairfax County. Stormwater management is the science of controlling the runoff water that is generated by development. Although at the beginning stormwater management focused on minimizing flooding, now a dry stormwater management also deals with the water quality of our runoff. Fairfax County has undertaken a series of projects that have implemented wetland habitats in dry ponds to try to improve the water quality of runoff that will eventually enter the Chesapeake Bay.

Fairfax County Department of Health
The workshop will be a power point presentation covering the origin of West Nile virus, signs and symptoms, life cycle of a mosquito, breeding and biting habits, disease transmission, national and local experiences with West Nile virus, a review of 2003 and discussion of 2004 plans. We will speak about the need for County residents to change some habits, be more aware of mosquito breeding around the home, and use DEET when outdoors with the mosquitoes. Residents will have a chance to sign-up and become a "Mosquito Magician."

Exhibits and information booths were provided by Fairfax County Departments of Urban Forestry, Storm Water Management, International Dark Sky Association, and Wild Life Management. Also, by the Northern Virginia Soil & Water Conservation District, The Sierra Club and more!

Back by popular demand, The Northern Virginia Soil & Water Conservation District had native seedling sale flyers at the Workshop.

Click here for press release