The Regional Commission invites all partners and stakeholders to join them for the 2023 RRRC Annual Meeting and 50th Anniversary Celebration on Wednesday, October 4th from 5pm to 8pm at Old House Vineyards in Culpeper County!

Ryan Price, Chief Economist with the Virginia Association of Realtors will serve as keynote speaker, sharing information and data on housing market trends, and implications for local governments, builders, and citizens of the region.

Additionally, the Regional Commission will present the 2023 Regional Leadership Awards recognizing the contributions of citizen and government stewards of the region. The nomination period for the Leadership Awards has been extended to September 1st and may be submitted via this Google Form.

We look forward to seeing you on October 4th!
 
Registration Details

• $20 if registered by September 22, 2023 ($30 thereafter)
• Register and Pay by Credit Card online (processing fees apply)
• For offline registration and/or to pay by cash, check, or invoice, or any other questions, please contact Monica Creel at the Regional Commission at (540) 829-7450, extension 12 or mcreel@rrregion.org

Schedule of Events
5:00 p.m. Registration & Networking, Hors d'oeuvres, Cash Bar

6:00 p.m. Welcoming Remarks & Dinner

6:45 p.m. Keynote Address by Ryan Price, AICP - Chief Economist with Virginia Association of Realtors

7:30 p.m. Presentation of 2023 RRRC Regional Leadership Awards

Birds and kids both love perching in the limbs of an old sycamore, but why are so many local governments embracing trees? In addition to providing environmental benefits, they can provide low-cost solutions to many municipal problems. In fact, the trees in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed provide over $24 million annually to their communities, and generally require much less maintenance than manmade alternatives.

Whether you are already interested or need more convincing, Module 4 of the Local Government Guide to the Chesapeake Bay, Capitalizing on the Benefits of Trees may provide the information you need. Tailored for local government elected officials, the fact sheet and self-guided presentation provide statistical evidence and a range of implementation options, from on-the-ground practices to policy and planning tools.

Community Benefits of Trees

• Planting street trees can beautify public spaces, provide cooling shade and attract shoppers. Customers spend more time and 11% more money in well-treed areas.
• Well-placed trees can save 21-24% in cooling costs and up to 25% in heating costs.
• Trees reduce stormwater runoff that can flood communities, stress storm drainage systems, and pollute local streams. One acre of forest produces 36 times less runoff than one acre of parking lot. 
• Trees are cost effective water quality solution. Trees planted along streams and rivers reduce nitrogen at a cost of $3.10/lb compared to $8.56/lb for wastewater treatment plants.
• Trees remove over 650,000 tons of air pollution in the US each year. They are a frontline defense to reduce air pollution-related deaths and respiratory disease. 
• Trees can act as a visual and noise barrier and provide safe corridors for wildlife movement.
• Forests support robust local outdoor recreation economies, providing $9.3 billion and 123,369 jobs in Virginia.

The Regional Commission, in partnership with tourism officials from Culpeper, Fauquier, Madison, Orange and Rappahannock counties is hosting a FREE training workshop focused on event planning tips, tricks and best practices for small businesses throughout the region. The workshop will be held on Wednesday, September 20th from 9am to Noon at Old House Vineyards in Culpeper County. Limited spaces remain, so please be sure to register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/event-planning-101-free-training-workshop-tickets-654331321597.