Olam Tikvah After Treatment
Project Objective
The project’s stated objective was “to help launch the Fairfax Tree Rescuers PRISM in assisting community associations and faith communities with invasive plant removal and control on private land, while encouraging the development of long-term management plans and the training of community members to sustain the work.” Fairfax PRISM requested funding for ten mini-grants of up to $3000 each (total of $30,000) to be provided along with educational materials, signage, and volunteer technical support. In addition, Fairfax PRISM requested financial support for software to build its capacity to communicate with the public.
Project Implementation
The Virginia Department of Forestry (VDOF)-Fairfax PRISM grant was signed on August 12, 2025. Fairfax PRISM announced the availability of mini-grants on September 1, 2025 and held a webinar on September 5th to explain the program and answer questions from interested organizations. Fifteen organizations attended. Fairfax PRISM began conducting mandatory pre-application site visits on September 11th and continued site visits through October 2025. The deadline for applications was November 5th, and by that date eleven completed applications were submitted. One application was received late and three organizations decided not to apply due to the short period for project implementation. A three person review committee screened the applications and made recommendations for grant awards to the PRISM leadership. Grant letters were issued to eleven successful applicants on November 19, 2025. Since not all available funding was allocated, PRISM issued a second notice of availability to organizations that had completed site visits; two additional organizations applied, and both were approved for funding. Their grant letters were issued on December 10th. Fairfax PRISM ordered and provided signage to each of the grant recipients and assisted them in obtaining educational materials about invasive plants to share with their membership. PRISM volunteers provided technical and administrative support to recipients throughout implementation. PRISM’s grant committee monitored completion of work and arranged follow-up site visits during March-May 2026 to confirm that work had been completed per the mini-grant terms.
Project Accomplishments
Despite the highly compressed schedule, Fairfax PRISM achieved the project’s objectives by awarding thirteen mini-grants to eleven homeowners’ associations (HOA) and two faith communities for invasive management projects on their common lands. All thirteen projects were successfully completed by the April 30, 2026 deadline, and final documentation submitted including invoices, before and after photos, and summaries of the activities undertaken. Recipients were enthusiastic about the progress they had made in tackling invasive species that threatened native trees and which created an eyesore on their properties, and committed to continuing management over the next several years. Most organizations secured budgetary commitment from their Boards for future control efforts.
The before and after photos provide a good illustration of the results achieved by participating organizations (see Attachment 1 for a sample). A total of 1306 trees were rescued on approximately 24 acres. The species most commonly addressed were: English ivy, porcelainberry, Japanese honeysuckle, Asian Bittersweet and multiflora rose. All recipients raised awareness of the invasive species problem and their projects through a variety of communication methods including HOA Newsletters and meetings, distribution of flyers and door hangers, posting of signs at project sites, display boards, and hosting of events for community members. A sample HOA article is attached. (Attachment 2) Most engaged their community members through volunteer work days at which participants were taught to identify and correctly remove targeted species. A chart summarizing the project results is provided as Attachment 3.
Matching Contributions
All mini-grant recipients met or exceeded the required 50% match either in cash or in volunteer labor. Total match from mini-grant recipients was $28,575 including $10,924 in cash and $17,651 in volunteer time at $34.79/hour. Fairfax PRISM volunteers contributed over 190 hours to this project, including at least 75 from the Site Visit Committee, and 20 from PRISM leadership at a total value of $6,645..
Fairfax Tree Rescuers PRISM is grateful to the Virginia Department of Forestry (VDOF) for this grant support and looks forward to collaborating with the VDOF on future programs.