Fairfax City provided an update on its urban forestry efforts, reporting a $1 million grant that launched the Sprout initiative and describing planting and volunteer accomplishments.

"In 2022, Fairfax City hired its first urban forester. A year later, we won a $1,000,000 grant and launched Sprout," a city urban-forestry staffer said. Staff reported that the program has planted roughly 130 trees, logged about 449 volunteer hours and distributed 157 trees to residents.

City staff framed the work as part of long-term efforts: the city has been recognized as a Tree City USA for 38 years and staff said new policies, regulations and an urban forest master plan are guiding the next phase of planting and canopy management.

Staff did not present new funding requests or regulatory changes at the briefing; the presentation emphasized community engagement, volunteer participation and next steps for planting and maintenance.