At least 450 registrations from Virginia motorists are needed to make the new Virginia Loves Trees license plates a reality. Image h/t VALovesTrees.org.
It’s hard to believe that, at its founding nearly 405 years ago, Virginia was a heavily forested place. But logging, agriculture, and Civil War battles transformed the commonwealth’s primeval forests into so many open fields.
And then–during the past twenty years–those fields and pastures were paved over with so much concrete and asphalt.
In 2010, suddenly exurbanized Virginia recorded its hottest summer ever.
In 2011, Virginia beat its 2010 “hottest summer ever” record.
There is no denying that we humans altered climate in Virginia by felling millions of the commonwealth’s trees. But now, we can support Virginia reforestation in a big way, with a terrific new program.
From the web:
The Virginia Loves Trees campaign is dedicated to raising public awareness and funding support for urban and community trees in Virginia. Whether in our neighborhoods, at the park, or on Main Street, trees create comfortable places to walk, sit or play; create childhood memories; enhance tourism and commerce; and provide a host of environmental benefits for all Virginians. We hope you will show your love and support of trees by purchasing the Virginia Loves Trees license plate.
Virginia Loves Trees developed from the desires of a coalition of nonprofits, professional associations, researchers, and educators to raise awareness and funds to support urban and community trees in Virginia. Virginia Loves Trees is centered on the specialty license plate program, that helps us demonstrate the value of trees in our communities and our commitment to their stewardship to fellow citizens. Coalition organizations include:
- Trees Virginia- The Virginia Urban Forest Council
- The Virginia Tech Urban Forestry Program
- Mid Atlantic Chapter International Society of Arboriculture
- Virginia Green Industry Council
- Virginia Nursery and Landscape Association
Funding for Community Trees
The funding support for community tree initiatives in Virginia has often been tenuous. Through the revenue sharing license plate program, our coalition hopes to increase our capacity for these initiatives. After the first thousand plates are sold, the VA Loves Trees license plate will raise 15$ per plate per year to dedicate towards our mission of supporting urban and community trees throughout the state. Funds raised through license plate sales will be used by Trees Virginia and the Urban Forestry Program at Virginia Tech to improve tree canopy in communities of all Virginians through creative and cost-effective programs.
Through education, technical support for localities, innovative research, and community outreach and partnerships, we work to ensure the quality and longevity of urban and community trees for the future. Just a few examples of these programs include the Tree Stewards volunteer program, Remarkable Trees of Virginia, regional Urban Forestry Roundtables, Urban Tree Canopy Assessment and Mapping, and research on sustaining cities through urban forestry. To read more about our programs, please visit Trees Virginia and the Urban Forestry Gateway at VT.
If you live in Virginia, please sign up for your new Virginia Loves Trees license plates. We need at least 450 sign-ups in place for license plate production to begin.
I’ve signed up, already!
