FALLS CHURCH, Va. – This weekend, Lands and Waters, Inc., Flour-Lane, Transurban and the Virginia Department of Transportation will partner to rescue native plants from construction staging areas along the Capital Beltway.

Crews from the organizations will meet on Saturday, May 17, to transplant selected saplings and plants from planned staging areas associated with the construction, beginning this summer, of two high-occupancy toll (HOT) lanes in each direction on I-495 between the Springfield Interchange and just north of the Dulles Toll Road.

To help achieve Land and Water’s mission of education, a team of local volunteers joined Transurban and Fluor-Lane employees to identify native species in the construction area and re-plant the rescued plants in schoolyards in the northern Virginia region.

“The Transurban and Fluor-Lane volunteers have helped us preserve native plants, as well as provide a science lesson to northern Virginia youngsters,” said Lands and Waters president Jeanette Stewart. “Using low-impact development techniques and sound management practices, we transplanted native species as part of our living classroom initiative, which helps our students learn more about the region’s environment.”

“The Capital Beltway HOT lanes project is the most significant Beltway expansion in a generation,” said Transurban spokesperson Jennifer Aument. “Collaborating with Lands and Waters, Inc. lets us identify and save native plant species along the Beltway before construction begins. We are proud to support Lands and Waters in their effort to protect the indigenous species inhabiting our backyards, parks, and land along our highways.”

The HOT Lanes team will continue to work with Lands and Waters to relocate select species of plant in advance of more construction as the project goes forward.

Lands and Waters Inc. is a Falls Church-based education and conservation organization that focuses on low impact development and natural landscaping. Visit www.forlandsandwaters.org for more information.

Learn more about the Capital Beltway HOT lanes project at www.virginiahotlanes.com.

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Page last modified: Feb. 12, 2009