Public Works and Environmental Services

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Christopher S. Herrington
Director

Department Resources

Kaiser Permanente’s Springfield Facility Recognized for Tree Conservation Excellence

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FAIRFAX, Va. – Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of the Mid-Atlantic States has been honored with the 2023 Friends of Trees Award in the Development Category by the Fairfax County Tree Commission. The award recognizes outstanding efforts in tree conservation, particularly for exceeding the county's 10-year tree canopy requirement by an impressive 9,275 square feet at their Springfield facility.

Group photo in front of the Kaiser Permanente Building in Springfield - L to R: Brian Keightley, Bob Duggan, Esther Bahk, Brent Roberts, Cindy Speas, Supervisor Lusk, Glenna Tinney, Seguira Taylor, Sumrien Ali, Nick Letteri, and Margaret Fisher.
Group photo in front of the Kaiser Permanente Building in Springfield - L to R: Brian Keightley, Bob Duggan, Esther Bahk, Brent Roberts, Cindy Speas, Supervisor Lusk, Glenna Tinney, Seguira Taylor, Sumrien Ali, Nick Letteri, and Margaret Fisher.

The award-winning project was a collaborative effort involving engineer Michael Benton, landscape architect Nick Letteri, and project arborist Nelson Kirchner from Vika Virginia LLC, with general contractors Hensel Phelps and Colleen O’Sullivan, and landscape contractor Jeremy Hall from Chapel Valley. The team designed and implemented a richly landscaped area featuring native trees, shrubs, grasses, and perennials aimed at reducing stormwater runoff and protecting local water bodies like the Chesapeake Bay.

Cindy Speas, Chair of the Fairfax County Tree Commission, praised the project’s exemplary use of natural landscaping principles, emphasizing the importance of native species and sustainable practices. She noted the project’s significant contribution to stormwater management and its role as a model for future developments in Fairfax County.

At the celebration held at the Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Springfield, Rodney Lusk, Franconia District Supervisor, commended Kaiser Permanente for their commitment to the environment and community. Bob Duggan, Administrative Manager at the Springfield Medical Center, expressed gratitude for the recognition and highlighted the positive feedback from patients and visitors regarding the facility’s landscaping.

The project’s design manager, Sumrien Ali, along with landscape architect Nick Letteri, discussed the collaborative efforts to create functional and aesthetic outdoor spaces. Brent Roberts from the project design and construction team and Brian Keightley from Urban Forest Management, who nominated the project, shared their pride in the project’s alignment with the county’s natural landscape policy.

As the event concluded, Cindy Speas reiterated the importance of using native plants and expanding the tree canopy to support local ecosystems. The success of the Kaiser Permanente Springfield project underscores Fairfax County’s commitment to sustainability and serves as a benchmark for future developments.

Group photo with the Friends of Trees Award - L to R: Brian Keightley, Sumrien Ali, Bob Duggan, Supervisor Lusk, Esther Bahk, Brent Roberts, Cindy Speas, and Glenna Tinney
Group photo with the Friends of Trees Award - L to R: Brian Keightley, Sumrien Ali, Bob Duggan, Supervisor Lusk, Esther Bahk, Brent Roberts, Cindy Speas, and Glenna Tinney.
Native trees and plants outside the Kaiser Permanente building in Springfield
Native trees and plants outside the Kaiser Permanente building in Springfield.

For more information on the Fairfax County Tree Commission and their Friends of Trees Awards, please visit Fairfax County Tree Commission's website: Tree Commission | Public Works and Environmental Services

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