Democracy in action is always inspiring, especially at its most grassroots. This month, two teens stood before members of the Buena Vista City Council and made a case for more City trees. Kylin (above) and Amelia, as well as four other peers, had already advocated for an expanded City canopy at community events last summer and fall as part of our BV Cool Trees project, but this was their first time addressing elected officials.
“It was inspiring to watch Kylin and Amelia take the podium,” said Ginny Johnson, one of the Boxerwood educators guiding the project. “They were nervous,” she said, “but we had practiced and they knew what they wanted to say.” Drawing on their summer research, the teens shared with Council members the benefits that trees bring to communities in terms of health, environmental services, and beauty. Their appeal provided context for a follow-up presentation by Lauren Doran of Charlottesville’s Green Infrastructure Center – which is advising the City pro bono in tandem with the BV Cool Trees Project – and Tom Roberts, Buena Vista’s Director of Community Development, who is our main City partner.
“This was the first time our partners and the teens had directly briefed City Council on this 3-year project,” said Ginny, noting that all aspects of the presentation were well received. "As the teens themselves stated, strengthening a town’s tree canopy brings all kinds of benefits,” said Ginny. “What’s exciting about the BV Cool Trees project is that this work is also about building civic engagement.” In other words, speaking for the trees is not just about the trees: it’s also about us, the ones stepping forth to speak.
The City Council presentations coincide with the end of the first year of this three-year grant from the Virginia Dept of Forestry, explained Boxerwood program director Elise Sheffield. “The focus of year one was strengthening our Buena Vista partnerships, launching the internship program, and identifying future tree planting sites,” she said. “Now we’re moving into the implementation phase.” Activities this year will include helping the City convene its first citizen-led Tree Board, completing several tree planting projects on both public and private land, expanding holdings in a project nursery, and recruiting another crop of BV teens for the summer 2025 paid internship program. “We’ve been really pleased by the progress of the grant so far, and are especially grateful for the relationships we’re building with our Buena Vista partners,” said Elise. “It’s a great feeling to know Boxerwood has the capacity to bring good things to life across our community, one public meeting at a time.”
Click here to learn more about BV Cool Trees.