Northern Virginia Urban Forests

An urban forest is the population of trees and associated vegetation in and surrounding a county, town or city. Although this term might sound like an oxymoron, urban forest ecosystems are an important part of our community.

Prince William's urban forest includes significant forested areas, such as the 15,500 acres of forestland protected as Prince William Forest Park. It also includes forest remnants that are scattered throughout the county, collections of trees in neighborhoods and commercial areas, trees growing along streams and the tree in your back yard. Together these trees make up the county's urban forest and provide significant benefits to residents.

Urban forests are disappearing throughout Northern Virginia and localities have few tools to protect trees. The Northern Virginia Urban Forestry Roundtable was formed in 2006 to encourage partnerships and provide a format where government, citizens and organizations could share information and ideas aimed at protecting Northern Virginia's urban forests. The Roundtable, which meets quarterly, discusses a variety of topics including local programs, tree legislation, linking tree initiatives to air quality initiatives, and encouraging tree planting on private property.

The Roundtable's most recent meeting was held in Prince William County on February 9 2007. Click here to view the Prince William Conservation Alliance's presentation!