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Reston board backs EAC's RAZER findings, accepts sustainability plan and commissions deer data collection
Summary
The board unanimously accepted the Environmental Advisory Committee's RAZER recommendations and the RA sustainability plan, and voted to begin deer browse surveys and summer education outreach. Staff and the EAC will return with a status report in Q3 and a recommended action plan in Q4 2026.
The Reston Association board voted Feb. 26 to accept the EAC's 2025 RAZER recommendations and to adopt a multi‑year sustainability framework, and directed staff and the Environmental Advisory Committee to begin baseline deer data collection and outreach.
Sura Shrider, EAC chair, presented the 2025 RAZER recommendations and report card, telling the board that of 91 tracked recommendations, 53 were progressing reasonably, 17 had limited progress and 18 showed no substantial progress in 2025. The EAC asked the board to support adoption of a sustainability plan to accelerate work on items receiving limited attention.
Acting environmental staff and the EAC followed with a draft five‑year sustainability plan (2026–2031) organized around seven goal areas: energy and carbon reduction; sustainable facilities and infrastructure; water stewardship; waste reduction and circular practices; healthy ecosystems; community engagement; and climate adaptation. The plan lays out initial strategies, near‑term implementation steps for 2026 and key performance indicators to track progress.
On deer management, staff recommended a structured approach: pilot field data collection this spring (a browse survey using transects and plots), paired with an education campaign over the summer to help residents reduce conflicts and protect plantings. The board approved a substitute motion asking staff to undertake the data collection plan, run a summer education campaign, return with a status update in Q3 2026, and present a recommended action plan in Q4 2026.
Board members asked staff to coordinate methods with Fairfax County Park Authority, to report likely costs and timelines, and to ensure outreach materials for residents explain short‑term homeowner practices (plant selection, fencing, repellents) while data collection proceeds. The RA will host an undergraduate intern through the Smithsonian‑Mason program to begin spring field work.
Outcome: The RAZER recommendations and the sustainability plan were accepted; the deer data collection and outreach schedule was approved with a Q3 check‑in and a Q4 recommended action plan.
