ACTS grew out of Arlington citizens’ belief that our natural resources, especially trees, are essential to the well-being and sustainability of our environment and lives. Realizing that this is important to many individuals, organizations and communities within Arlington, ACTS has been formed to provide information and support for our tree canopy.

In 2021, individuals and civic organizations expressed concern at the lack of contemporaneous data on Arlington’s urban forest. Development of a Forestry and Natural Resources Plan was underway using information from 2016 with limited capabilities. By late 2022, a small group of private citizens joined together to fund a new, quantitative assessment and analysis for a modest price. The results showed that previous estimates of 41% coverage from the County were overstated and, as of 2021, the real coverage is 33%.

In order to maintain as much of this canopy as possible in the face of inevitable community urbanization, ACTS was formed. The goal is to bring together and enable residents, businesses, organizations, and advocates to pursue actions to enhance the tree canopy in all their neighborhoods and varied urban settings within our reach.