We salute Lady Bird Johnson (1912-2007), one of the leading conservationists of our time. The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center tells the story...

Mrs. Johnson was First Lady of the nation before she was able to translate her love for the land into national policy. Once started, she has amassed a lifetime of achievement as the Environmental First Lady.

Today, perhaps most people think of Lady Bird Johnson as the reason why we see wildflowers blooming along the nation's highways and fewer junkyards and billboards. The Beautification Act of 1965 was one tangible result of Mrs. Johnson's campaign for national beautification. Known as "Lady Bird's Bill" because of her active support, the legislation called for control of outdoor advertising, including removal of certain types of signs along the nation's Interstate system and the existing federal-aid primary system. It also required certain junkyards along Interstate or primary highways to be removed or screened and encouraged scenic enhancement and roadside development...

In 1964 Mrs. Johnson formed the Committee for a More Beautiful Capital, responding to Mary Lasker's suggestion that she make Washington, D.C., a "garden city" and a model for the rest of the nation. Soon afterward Mrs. Lasker, a philanthropist who lobbied for medical research as well as for natural beauty and Mrs. Johnson founded the Society for a More Beautiful National Capital, which received private donations for the project. The first planting took place on the mall where Mrs. Johnson planted pansies. She then planted azaleas and dogwood in the Triangle at Third and Independence Avenue and ended her first planting effort at a public housing project.

Mrs. Johnson's view of this project went far beyond planting daffodil bulbs. She was concerned with pollution, urban decay, recreation, mental health, public transportation and the crime rate. The Committee agreed to plant flowers in triangle parks all over the city, to give awards for neighborhood beautification and to press for the revitalization of Pennsylvania Avenue and the preservation of Lafayette Park. The committee also generated enormous donations of cash and azaleas, cherry trees, daffodils, dogwood and other plants in evidence today in Washington's lovely parks and green spaces. Perhaps most importantly, Mrs. Johnson's effort prompted businesses and others to begin beautification efforts in low-income neighborhoods hidden from the much-visited tourist attractions.

Here are some views of the forest by the bike trail behind North Street. You'll see the flags that Kohl Construction has placed indicating where they believe the wetland boundary is. Note the evidence of water on the base of the big tree below.









See also:

Pictures of Kohl Construction's Condo Plans
Total Parcel Size: 5.49 [acres]
Total Number of Units Proposed: 31
Total Parking Spaces Proposed: 66

Kohl Construction's Wetlands Application
Here for your reference is Kohl Construction's Wetlands Application (PDF) relating to its proposed condos behind North Street. Kohl is doing this project under the business names Northern Avenue Homes, Inc. and Tofino Associates, Inc. In the application, Kohl asserts there are no existing or potential vernal pools on the development site.

Community Tree Ordinances and Bylaws for Massachusetts Communities
See our Citizen Forester article for November 2003 "Air Quality, Public Health and the Role of Urban Forests”.

Cooling Our Cities [PDF]: A fact sheet on tree planting as a way to save money and electricity. [Original link pointed to withdrawn resource - we found another source for this fact sheet]

Trees and Sustainability: Urban Air Quality: This 12 part brochure from the University of Lancaster in the UK, nicely summarizes the issues around urban trees and air quality with graphics.

Beginning in 2003, many Massachusetts communities will be faced with a mandate from the USEPA to develop and implement non-point source pollution and stormwater management plans. Fortunately, urban forestry strategies can help satisfy many of these stormwater management requirements in a cost effective manner. Trees, forests, and other natural areas effectively manage water through interception, evopo-transpiration, and infiltration. Together, these processes can significantly reduce peak stormwater flows, stabilize base flows, and naturally filter drinking water.

• See our May, 2003 Citizen Forester article “Wat'er Trees Got to Do with It?”
• More information on how trees can help meet stormwater management requirements
• Trees Reduce Stormwater
• Trees: The Oldest New Thing in Stormwater Treatment
• Urban Watershed Forestry Manuals from the Center for Watershed Protection at http://www.cwp.org/forestry/index.htm