A Living Green Corridor in the Shadow of the Tysons Skyline
Tysons Forest is a 65-acre urban forest corridor located in Tysons, one of the county’s most dynamic and rapidly growing urban centers. The forest stretches along a narrow strip of land from the Dulles Toll Road (Route 267) southeast to Gosnell Road, bisected by Old Courthouse Spring Branch, a fifteen-foot-wide stream that has shaped this green corridor for centuries.
The forest encompasses three significant Fairfax County Park Authority properties:
Ashgrove Historic House (14 acres)
Old Courthouse Spring Branch Stream Valley Park (33 acres)
Raglan Road Park (11 acres)
It lies along the Hunter Mill District portion of Tysons, immediately west of existing and planned development.
Unlike many protected open spaces in Fairfax County, land alongTysons Forest stream valley is owned by a variety of different entities — the Fairfax County Park Authority, commercial property owners, and private residential homeowners. This fragmented ownership makes coordinated preservation both a challenge and an imperative.
The forest’s perimeter is ringed by nine office buildings, five homeowner associations, two daycare centers, two auto dealerships, two hotels, a steakhouse, a coffeehouse, a nursing home, a technical community college, a strip shopping center and a gas station (as of 2024). Future housing developments in Tyson also will add more residents who live along the forest’s edge.
Why Tysons Forest Matters
Ecological & Community Significance
In the shadow of the concrete, glass, and steel skyline, Tysons Forest offers a natural sanctuary that provides ecological, recreational and community value.
This green corridor is of great value to nearby residents, local businesses, visitors to the area, and the numerous flora and fauna that make this stream valley their home.
— Supervisor Walter Alcorn, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, July 25, 2023
A Biodiversity Refuge
Tysons Forest supports a remarkable diversity of wildlife, including migratory birds, bees, butterflies, deer, red and grey foxes, skunks, opossum, raccoons, squirrels, chipmunks, frogs, snakes, minnows, and small fish. Occasional rare visitors include beaver, coyote, bobcat, and even bear. Yet the Task Force found that butterflies, songbirds, bees, and frogs have notably decreased over the past five years — a warning signal that demands action.
An Environmental Buffer
The forest's stream valley provides critical stormwater management functions, filtering runoff before it reaches downstream waterways. The tree canopy helps cool the urban heat island effect in one of Northern Virginia's densest neighborhoods. However, the Tysons Forest Community Task Force stated in their report that the forest's tree canopy has declined approximately 20–25% in the past five years.
A Community Treasure
Residents, workers and visitors deeply appreciate this urban oasis that just steps from their homes and offices. They enjoy the walking trails, like the Vesper Trail, and natural beautify and tranquility offered by this green corridor that just steps from the Spring Hill Metro Station and Fairfax County’s “downtown.”
In fact, community members previously banded together in 2013 to save what was called "Tysons Last Forest” at the time.They successfully halted plans a Dulles Toll Road exit that would have cut through Old Courthouse Spring Branch Stream Valley Park.
Barred owls living in Tysons Forest. Photo: Jack Russell
Supervisor Walter Alcorn Creates the Task Force
Leadership & Vision
Supervisor Alcorn created theTysons Forest Community Task Force to develop high-level strategies for the preservation and enhancement of the stream valley. The task provided a forum for discussion and recommended action to maximize the ecological benefits of this green corridor while maintaining appropriate access by us humans.
Why Supervisor Alcorn Created the Task Force
As Tysons develops, the forest has faced pressure over the years. Construction projects had removed mature trees, and the tree canopy was in decline, according to the Tysons Community Task Force. Most importantly, no coordinated preservation framework existed for this forest’s lands that are owned by many different public and private entities.
In July 2023, Alcorn announced the formation of the Tysons Forest Community Task Force at a Fairfax County Board of Supervisors meeting, explicitly framing it not merely as a reactive measure but as an opportunity: "It's actually going to be a fun exercise to see how those ecological assets could be built upon and used for the broader community."
A Model for Urban Forests Everywhere
The task force was designed from the outset to capture "lessons learned" as a replicable model for other urban forests across the country. The challenges facing Tysons Forest — fragmented ownership, invasive species and declining biodiversity — are universal. The task force’s work was guided by a principal that its findings could be a model for communities everywhere.
Official Charter
Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Announcement · July 25, 2023
"For the Board's awareness, I am creating a community-led Task Force with representatives of property owners and other community partners to develop high-level strategies for the preservation and enhancement of the stream valley. The Task Force will provide a forum for discussion and recommended action to maximize the ecological benefits of this green corridor while maintaining appropriate access by us humans. I appreciate the Park Authority's active interest and participation in this effort and look forward to sharing the task force findings and recommendations as this important community work moves forward."
— Walter L. Alcorn, Hunter Mill District Supervisor
The Tysons Forest Community Task Force
The 23-person Task Force was assembled in fall 2023, drawing together a deliberately diverse group of stakeholders: community residents, building owners, commercial tenants, Park Authority representatives, conservation experts, and representatives from neighboring Providence District Supervisor Dalia Palchik's office. This breadth of participation ensured the report reflected the full ecosystem of interests surrounding the forest.
Meeting Schedule & Process
The Task Force conducted its work from September 2023 through February 2024, holding:
7 workshops — full group sessions to share findings and build consensus
3 trail walks — direct observation of the forest's conditions
20 small group meetings — focused working sessions on specific topics
Multiple expert briefings — presentations from subject-matter specialists in ecology, stream restoration, invasive species, wildlife habitat, and more
Community Residents
Jack Russell — Chair
Aja Chaker
Donna Smith
Frank Torre
Dragan Momcilovic
Dave Fullerton
Anh Fullerton
Amira Wali
Ahmed Koura
Dev Mani
Dean Manson
Gloria Runyon
Dee Dee Carter
Sandi Rothman
Paul O'Mara
Bret Leslie
Ian Smith
Local Business Owners & Commercial Tenants
Kevin Berman — Berman Enterprises
Susan Russell — IT Concepts
Chris Esposito — ESRI
Amy Johnson — IT Concepts
Peg Hillman — Day & Night Printing
Fairfax County Officials & Other Representtaives
Supervisor Walter Alcorn — Executive Sponsor
Amanda Lowe — Hunter Mill Staff Aide
Jai Cole — Park Authority Executive Director
John Burke — Park Authority
Devin Pharr — Providence District Staff Aide
Danielle Sette — Stream Restoration
Ken Trinh — Stream Restoration
Aaron George — Stream Restoration
Meskerem Eshetu — Wastewater
Tom Grala — Wastewater
Yolanda Green — Dominion Energy
Nonprofit Organizations
Dr. Jane Goodall — Jane Goodall Institute (letter of support)
Libby Lyons — Audubon Society
Colleen Hawkinson — Tysons Community Alliance
"A special note of appreciation to the Task Force Chair, Jack Russell, a neighbor and active community member who has led the team with passion and purpose to protect what he calls their emerald jewel."
— Supervisor Walter Alcorn, April 16, 2024 Board Matter
Task Force Report — March 24, 2024
Summary of the 24 Recommendations
Supervisor Walter Alcorn with Dr. Jane Goodall
The Tysons Forest Community Task Force Report, dated March 24, 2024, presents 24 action items organized across 7 key areas. Together, they form a comprehensive blueprint for preserving and enhancing the forest for generations to come — and for managing the balance between urban development and ecological health.
The central challenge, in the Task Force's own words: "Tysons, Virginia is undergoing significant infrastructure build out as it grows. Nearby, a majestic urban forest stands tall in the emerging skyline of buildings. The tree canopy, for a variety of factors, has declined approximately 20–25% in the past five years. Two questions define our challenge. Do we want to build a beautiful city? Or do we want to save a prized urban forest? We must do both."
"I do have hope. But if we want tree canopy, wildlife and biodiversity, we will have to stop depending on someone else to save the world. It is up to us — you and me — all of us."
Officially recognize and brand Tysons Forest with wayfinding signage. Issue a formal "pledge of protection" emphasizing forest health, biodiversity, and human-wildlife coexistence. Enter the pledge into the Tysons Comprehensive Plan.
02
Replenish Tree Canopy & Wildlife Habitat
Plant 200 wire-guarded trees and seedlings annually to restore the canopy (1,000 total by 2028). Plant native vegetation in distressed micro-habitats. Establish baseline biodiversity counts for butterflies, birds, bees, and frogs.
03
Revive an Old Woodland Trail
Review and design a continuous trail connection through the forest, including a wildlife learning trail with interpretive signage for birds, butterflies, bees, and more. Add stream overlooks, benches, bird feeders, and butterfly gardens.
04
Expand the Forest's Footprint
Expand Park Authority acreage through developer proffers. Encourage forest-adjacent homeowners and businesses to follow the county's Watch the Green Grow program. Educate property owners about wildlife habitat certifications.
05
Maintain a Safe and Clean Forest
Continue semi-annual trash cleanups, ideally anchored to Earth Day in April. Leverage Clean Fairfax and the Tysons Community Alliance for volunteer recruitment. Require construction sites to mitigate runoff into the forest stream.
06
Create Green Champions for Future Generations
Engage youth from schools and community organizations in tree planting, seed sewing, biodiversity counting, and trail ambassador programs. Recruit college students to lead website and marketing efforts.
07
Build Structure, Funding & Communications
Develop a communications plan for report dissemination. Build a basic Tysons Forest website with an event calendar. Establish a small work team to oversee implementation, eventually evolving into a "Friends of Tysons Forest" organization.
Board of Supervisors Action
Report Acceptance April 16, 2024
The Tysons Forest Community Task Force Report was formally presented to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on April 16, 2024 — just days before Earth Day — by Supervisor Walter Alcorn.
Board Motion — Unanimously Accepted
"Therefore, Mr. Chairman, without objection I ask that the Board of Supervisors accept the task force's report and direct the Office of Public Affairs to prepare a proclamation for the task force to be presented outside of a board meeting at an appropriate time later this year."
— Supervisor Walter Alcorn, April 16, 2024 · Motion passed unanimously by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors
The Board's unanimously accepted the report, trailblazing a path for follow-on actions recommended by the task force.
Follow-On Actions Since the Board Accepted the Report
Implementation Progress
The Tysons Forest Community Task Force Report called for action, and since the report was formally accepted, a small, ongoing team have been making meaningful progress:
Planning and coordination for the installation of a wildlife learning trail along one of the commercial properties adjacent to the forest began while the Task Force was still meeting. The trail would feature interpretive signage for birds, butterflies, bees, and other wildlife found in the corridor.
🌱Native Plant Restoration — 1-Acre Park Authority Site
Plans were developed and initiated to restore a 1-acre area on Park Authority property with native plantings, directly advancing the tree canopy replenishment and biodiversity goals of Recommendation 2.
🌍Earth Day Litter Clean Ups — April 2024 & 2025
Supervisor Alcorn's office, Tysons Forest Community Task Force and the Tysons Community Alliance hosted an Earth Day nature walk and litter cleanups in Tysons Forest in April 2024 and 2025. This event directly fulfilled Recommendation 5A of the Task Force report, which called for an Earth Day cleanup anchored to community volunteers.
Timeline of Preservation Efforts
July 25, 2023
Supervisor Alcorn Announces the Task Force
Alcorn announces the creation of the Tysons Forest Community Task Force at a Fairfax County Board of Supervisors meeting, chartering it to develop preservation and enhancement recommendations.
September 2023
Task Force Convenes
The 23-person Task Force begins its work, launching the first of seven workshops, three trail walks, and twenty small group meetings.
September 2023 – February 2024
Research, Workshops & Expert Briefings
Over five months, the Task Force meets extensively, gathering input from expert speakers, walking the forest trails firsthand, and developing an "idea funnel" of possible solutions.
March 24, 2024
Task Force Report Completed
The Tysons Forest Community Task Force Report is finalized, presenting 24 action items across 7 key areas.
April 16, 2024
Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Unanimously Accepts Report
The Board accepts the Task Force report and directs preparation of a proclamation honoring its members. Providence District Supervisor Palchik co-presents with Alcorn.
April 22, 2024
Forest Litter Cleanup
The first major follow-on event hosted by Supervisor Alcorn's office with the Tysons Forest Community Task Force, and Tysons Community Alliance directly implements Recommendation 5A of the Task Force report.
April 27, 2025
Earth Day Nature Walk & Litter Cleanup
Another clean up day was held in conjunction with Earth Day, hosted by Supervisor Alcorn's office, Tysons Forest Community Task Force, Tysons Community Alliance and many other environmental organizations, directly implements Recommendation 5A of the Task Force report.
