Penn Branch Citizens Civic Association (PBCCA) Blog: DDOT Planting More Than 3,000 New Trees

Friday, December 11, 2009

DDOT Planting More Than 3,000 New Trees

For Immediate Release
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Media Contact: John Lisle at 202-671-2004

Citywide Tree Planting Season Now Underway

(Washington, D.C.) The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) has begun planting more than 3,000 new street trees to help meet Mayor Adrian M. Fenty’s Green DC Agenda goal of expanding the tree canopy and establishing the District as one of the world’s pre-eminent green cities.
From reducing crime and domestic violence to improving economies and recuperation rates of hospital patients, research has proven that trees provide critical benefits to cities far beyond aesthetics, air quality, and water runoff.
From December to May, DDOT’s Urban Forestry Administration (UFA) will plant the new trees across all eight wards of the city. Planting locations are based on requests that were made by residents to the Mayor’s Citywide Call Center before July 15, 2009.
“One of the most effective ways a resident can improve the social, ecological, and economic value of a neighborhood is to help ensure new trees thrive,” said John Thomas, DDOT’s Chief Forester. “In the first two years, these new trees need attention to get established. We ask residents to share that responsibility, and in the end we will all benefit from a beautiful tree canopy across the city.”
Residents are already responsible for maintaining property to the curb. Those who go a step further and sign a partnership agreement to water, mulch, and monitor the health of specific trees in the first two years after planting, will receive free watering bags and instructions from UFA.
The tentative planting schedule will begin with Ward 7, then Ward 8, 5, 6, 2, 1, 3, and 4. The planting schedule for specific neighborhoods will be posted on the UFA website this week, but is subject to change due to equipment, weather, emergencies, and other extenuating circumstances.
In addition, UFA will plant 100 elm trees in a partnership with Casey Trees and team up with the organization Trees for Georgetown to plant 40 new trees in that historic neighborhood.
The mission of the Urban Forestry Administration is to establish a full population of street trees within the District and to ensure that those street trees are maintained in a healthy and safe condition. UFA has 16 certified arborists on staff who are responsible for issuing permits, enforcing regulations, and caring for approximately 140,000 trees throughout the city.
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John Lisle | Public Information Officer | District Department of Transportation | Office of the Director | 2000 14th Street, NW, Fifth Floor, Washington, DC 20009 | 202-671-2004/direct | 202-486-5838/cell | 202-671-0650/ fax | John.Lisle@dc.gov, e-mail | www.ddot.dc.gov

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Penn Branch Citizens Civic Association: From the Beginning

The Penn-Branch Citizens / Civic Association was formed over 40 years ago by members in the community. The need for an association stemmed from specific neighborhood concerns such as water and sewer problems; the lack of sidewalks and curbs on some blocks; no posted traffic signs; and issues arising from the many District and Federal Parks that surround or are located within Penn-Branch.

The boundaries of the community served by the association extend from 38^th Street East to Branch Avenue West, and from Pennsylvania Avenue South to Pope Branch Park North. Within these boundaries are approximately 550 houses on tree lined streets covering rolling hills with easy access to the many wonderful features of the greater Washington metropolitan area. The Penn-Branch community is a touch of the suburbs in an urban setting providing the best of both worlds.

The Penn-Branch Citizens Association, as it was called until 1989, began through the formation of a number of committees, the responsibilities included working with the District and Federal Governments on varying problems. The most active committees over the years have been the Legislative and Public Works Committees, and the Neighborhood Security Patrol. Security Patrol members have contributed countless hours to assuring the security of the Penn-Branch residents. The work of the residents who have served on the PBC/CA’s many other committees have brought about many desirable improvements, and protected the community from unwanted change. The association maintains a pocket park at the corner of Carpenter and O streets, the gateway to Penn-Branch. A major project in recent year was the petitioning of the city to rebuild the crumbling O Street retaining wall. The association working with Dupont Park neighbors, defeated a proposal to erect a cellular monopole at the Penn-Branch shopping center that would have defeated our vistas. We host two major social events during the year, a Christmas Potluck and Carols on the second Tuesday in December (free – just bring a dish to serve at least four or more) and a Spring Dinner Dance, a proven fund-raiser and a reliable good time.

The Annual Membership drive runs from September to December. Through the year, the association welcomes the volunteer efforts of all Penn-Branch residents in carrying out its programs. While its leadership has changed hands many times over the years, the association continues as a stable, cohesive force owing to the time and services freely given by residents.

The PBC/CA is incorporated as a non-profit organization, and is a member of the D.C. Federation of Civic Associations. The By-laws of the association have changed from time-to-time; one significant change allows two votes per household if a two-member household exists.

In 1989, the membership voted unanimously to change the name from the Penn Branch Citizens Association to the Penn Branch Citizens/Civic Association to acknowledge a more diverse tradition of community organization.

The Penn-Branch Citizens / Civic Association, Inc. is “A Community Committed to Excellence” with the goal to create a safe and desirable community in which to live.

Officers- a president, vice-president, secretary and treasurer- are elected to one-year terms. A nominating committee appointed by the president solicits a slate of candidates during April, which is presented to the membership and voted on at the May meeting. Nominations may be made from the floor. Newly elected officers are sworn in at the June meeting, and begin serving in September. The president appoints committee chairs. A grass-root network of block captains serves as conduit through which concerns and information are shared between the association and its members. The association also publishes a monthly newsletter.

Our success in accomplishing the association’s goals can only be achieved to the extent that all the neighbors in Penn-Branch participate to ensure that the community we chose to live in remains a community we want to live in.