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Norfolk Tree Commission says it met most goals in first written annual plan; seeks wider civic outreach
Summary
The Tree Commission reported meeting 93% of the 14 goals in its first written annual plan, highlighted expanded community outreach and volunteer efforts, and previewed outreach to civic leagues for 2025.
Mike Rozowski, chair of the Norfolk Tree Commission, told the City Council at a Feb. 25 work session that the commission produced its first written annual plan for 2024 and met most of its targets.
The plan laid out 14 goals and measurable metrics, and “I’m happy to say we met 93% of those,” Rozowski said. The commission also reorganized Arbor Day responsibilities into four functional groups, expanded partnerships with Norfolk Arts and the Norfolk 20/50 working group, and increased social-media engagement.
Rozowski said the commission’s Facebook following rose by more than 100% and Instagram followers rose 18% after a “trees of the month” program and other outreach. The commission ran a resident nomination process for its annual awards; Rozowski said all three awardees were nominated by residents rather than selected internally.
The commission described a volunteer intervention on a private street where members and the city forester, Steve Traylor, helped rescue a vine-choked tree and showed the homeowner how to maintain it. Rozowski said the work prompted additional neighbor requests for help in the same block and prompted the commission to plan civic-league outreach in 2025.
Councilmember Johnson praised Steve Traylor’s on-the-ground work. “He is always willing to ask, answer any questions…he stands out there with you and takes you through the process,” Johnson said.
Rozowski closed by thanking Traylor for his “phenomenal” support of the commission and for training and organizing volunteers.
The commission left the council with an ask to proceed with planned civic-league briefings and continued collaboration with Norfolk Arts and other partners in 2025.
