KPCA Meeting and FIRA Presentation

FIRA (https://firaadvocacy.com/) is a grassroots all-volunteer organization that brings together homeowner, citizen, and condo associations to advocate for a healthier ecosystem in Fairfax County by saving trees and promoting biodiversity through the removal of invasive plants and the planting of natives. FIRA’s goal is to build an impactful coalition of neighborhood associations. We currently represent 47 community associations with over 52,000 households representing approximately 156,000 residents.

Our alliance advocates on behalf of property owners for a strategic plan and a proposed list of strategic points at meetings and public hearings with our Board of Supervisors on addressing the invasive plant problem in Fairfax County. We also interact with state legislators and advocate for legislative change at the state level on addressing the invasive plant problem.

Bio of co-organizers:

Wendy Cohen has been engaged in tree plantings, invasive plant removal, and litter cleanups in the area for many years while volunteering for a number of different local organizations. She enjoys exploring the parks in Fairfax County and beyond, though finds it hard to see so many trees overrun by invasive plants. As a retired teacher and Fairfax Master Naturalist, she enjoys educating others about the invasive plant crisis. In the summer, she reluctantly shares her vegetable garden with the deer, raccoon, and birds….

Rekha Dolas has always been interested in conservation, living sustainably and protecting the environment. She has been volunteering for Plant NoVA Natives in various capacities for the last five years. She hopes to help the community while volunteering as a Fairfax Master Naturalist, and plant more trees as a Fairfax Tree Steward. When her three children start asking about whether a plant is native or not, she considers that a win! It is even sweeter when her children watch their electricity usage, thrift their clothes, make their own meals and lament the lack of public transport in the US! She enjoys exploring the many beautiful parks in Northern Virginia with her dog while plotting revenge on the abundant invasive plants along the trails.

Ines Nedelcovic has been crowing about the perils of climate change since the early 2000’s. Six years ago she retired and moved back to Fairfax County where she has done more than crow. She planted a pollinator garden in her front yard and another one in a common area with her HOAs landscape committee. She became a Virginia Master Naturalist and has devoted her volunteer hours to the restoration of habitats in Northern Virginia by removing invasive plants and planting native plants, rescuing trees and protecting the wildlife population. Ecosystems can absorb as much as 50% of anthropogenic greenhouse gases so her crow these days has a sense of agency.

Facebook Event link: https://fb.me/e/aO0HXDBK1

Contact KingsParkCivicAssociation@gmail.com for the zoom link or more information!