A new report by the Village Preservation and Improvement Society and the City of Falls Church Environmental Services Council call on the City of Falls Church to expand efforts to sustain and improve environmental quality in the City.

The report, which was presented to the City Council on May 12, listed goals for improving the environment in five areas: increasing tree canopy; increasing residential solid waste recycling; reducing the release of greenhouse gases; increasing green or “permeable” surfaces; and promoting sustainable building standards.

“Falls Church has a history of strong environmental programs, but renewed effort is needed to respond to challenges ranging from rapid development to climate change,” said Village Preservation and Improvement Society president Keith Thurston in a press release about the report.

The report, titled “Five Environmental Goals for Falls Church: Progress Report for 2015,” assesses progress under the five areas first identified in a 2009 report by the Village Preservation and Improvement Society. The two groups that issued the report found that progress toward the goal of increased solid waste recycling has been substantial. In three areas – tree canopy, green surfaces, and environmental building standards – progress has been moderate. In the case of the goal for reducing greenhouse gases, the groups found progress to be limited.

Long term targets for measurable improvement under each of the five goals were identified in the report, which described what steps the City should take to make further progress towards these goals. For example, the groups recommended that the City: use stormwater funds to expand tree canopy; broaden the range of materials that are recycled; reestablish the City climate change task force; and adopt incentives for environmental building standards.

For more information or to see the full report, visit vpis.org.