November 2025 Week of Action

Delegate Dan Helmer presenting a General Assembly commendation to Fairfax Tree Rescuers PRISM

See our home page for photos from the events!

Fairfax Tree Rescuers PRISM (Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management) got off to a high-impact start with its inaugural Week of Action from November 8-16. During this week, 486 volunteers rescued 1518 trees at 26 events across Fairfax County. Whether the events drew 40 people or a small-but-mighty four, we were able to share our mission, educate people about the threat invasive species pose to our ecosystems, have some fun, and most importantly, SAVE TREES! 

A number of public officials were on hand at some of the events to show their support and to see firsthand how the community can come together to tackle this important problem, including: Congressman James Walkinshaw, Del. Dan Helmer, Supervisors Walter L. Alcorn (Hunter Mill), James N. Bierman, Jr. (Dranesville), Dalia A. Palchik (Providence), and Daniel G. Storck (Mount Vernon), school board member Karl Frisch (Providence), and Park Authority Board member, Mike Reynolds (Providence District PAB).

During the November 14 event at Middleridge Park, Delegate Helmer recognized Fairfax Tree Rescuers PRISM with a certificate of commendation: “The House of Delegates of the Commonwealth of Virginia hereby offers sincerest congratulations to Fairfax Tree Rescuers PRISM (Partnership for Regional Invasives Species Management) in recognition of their work clearing the nonnative wisteria vines in Fairfax County.”

Let’s keep the momentum going! Fairfax Tree Rescuers PRISM has numerous volunteer opportunities— visit our website for additional details. And keep in mind…

Winter is a great time to rescue trees!

Besides doing this at home or in your own neighborhood, there are numerous events on public property which you can find on the PRISM Event Calendar. This is also a good time to get trained to work independently on public land. It is much easier to see the vines when the leave are off, and the weather is cooler.

Following are examples of the impact of our Week of Action:

November 8

      1. Rolling Valley West Part event - 42 trees, 16 volunteers

      2. Accotink Gorge event - 35 trees, 27 volunteers

      3. Laurel Hill event - 7 trees, 4 volunteers

      4. Annandale Community Park event - 150+ trees, 40 volunteers

      5. W&OD Dunn Loring @ MM 9.5 - 8 trees (plus planting), 12 volunteers

      6. Mount Vernon event - 18 trees, 8 volunteers

November 9

      1. Piney Run event - 1.5 trees, 10 volunteers

      2. Huntley Meadow event - 21 trees, 16 volunteers

      3. Masterbrook-Greenway Downs event - 75 trees, 25 volunteers

November 11

      1. Southside Park event - 4 or 5 trees, 14 volunteers

      2. Hunters Branch event -  4 volunteers

      3. Oakmont Park event - 50 trees, 17 volunteers

November 15

      1. Clifton ES event - 25 trees, 11 volunteers

      2. Gil McCutheon Park - 122 trees, 20 volunteers

      3. Lake Fairfax - 58 trees, 17 volunteers

      4. Pleasant Hill - 2 trees, 7 volunteers

      5. Laurel Hill event - 4 trees, 8 volunteers

      6. Lewinsville Park - 25 trees, 5 volunteers

      7. South Run Regency event - 15 trees, 14 volunteers

      8. Hunters Green Cluster - at least 43 trees, 28 volunteers

      9. Oakmont - 15 trees, 40 volunteers

November 16 

      1. Haycock Longfellow Park: 731 trees, 102 volunteers 

      2. Piney Branch event 70 trees, 14 volunteers