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Past Events
Stories of Hollin Hills: The Early Years
On Sunday, February 23, 2020 Friends of Hollin Hills hosted a program on the early history of Hollin Hills. Following a social hour from 4:00-4:45 pm, a panel of early residents, including both original purchasers and those who grew up in the neighborhood, shared stories about the early days of the neighborhood and what has changed - or stayed the same - over the years.
All About Invasives
Why should we careabout invasive plants? At the first of 2020’s three educational panels sponsored by the Friends of Hollin Hills, Renee Grebe, Northern Virginia Conservation Advocate for the Audubon Naturalist Society, gave one reason for caring: the amazing number of caterpillars a single chickadee needs to feed its young over 16 days until they fledge is about 8,000! Where do these caterpillers come from? The best caterpillar trees are oaks (537), willow (456), cherry (456), birch (413), and hickory (200), all native trees and shrubs, matched to our local native birds and insects. She reminded us that our vegetation choices can have a profound and positive impact on the wildlife around us, from the most basic leveL on through the whole food chain. And these choices can be beautiful and special—such as gardens of blooming native wildflowers. Renee also shared her fascination with Virginia creeper, her 'gateway' to native plants. It has beautiful fall color, provides food for local creatures, and is a great alternative for English ivy.
Rentz Hilyer, of the Northern Virginia Conservation Trust (NVCT), described working with private landowners, some whose property is part of a conservation easement. With limited resources, they focus on a specific area, perhaps bounded by markers, or a specific species such as bush honeysuckle. The preferred treatment method is mechanical. Clipping vines from tree trunks is one of the most effective in freeing our landscape from porcelain berry, kudzu, or English ivy. However, some invasive plants are so stubborn, carefully applied chemical treatments are necessary. Rentz reminded us to focus on choosing sites where invasive eradication is achievable and to map infestations so we can better target our actions.
Our thanks to former Hollin Hiller, Katy Densmore, Chair of the NVCT, who connected us with Rentz Hilyer.
Suggested References
• Bringing Nature Home by Douglas Tallamy (book)
• Plant Invaders of Mid-Atlantic Natural Areas, Natl. Park Service, US Fish & Wildlife Service (available as book or PDF)
• Weeds Gone Wild, fact sheets, www.nps.gov/plants/alien
• Plant NoVa Natives - website with lots of resources
• Virginia Invasive Plant Species List, www.dcr.virginia.gov
On Sunday, February 23, 2020 Friends of Hollin Hills hosted a program on the early history of Hollin Hills. Following a social hour from 4:00-4:45 pm, a panel of early residents, including both original purchasers and those who grew up in the neighborhood, shared stories about the early days of the neighborhood and what has changed - or stayed the same - over the years.
All About Invasives
Why should we careabout invasive plants? At the first of 2020’s three educational panels sponsored by the Friends of Hollin Hills, Renee Grebe, Northern Virginia Conservation Advocate for the Audubon Naturalist Society, gave one reason for caring: the amazing number of caterpillars a single chickadee needs to feed its young over 16 days until they fledge is about 8,000! Where do these caterpillers come from? The best caterpillar trees are oaks (537), willow (456), cherry (456), birch (413), and hickory (200), all native trees and shrubs, matched to our local native birds and insects. She reminded us that our vegetation choices can have a profound and positive impact on the wildlife around us, from the most basic leveL on through the whole food chain. And these choices can be beautiful and special—such as gardens of blooming native wildflowers. Renee also shared her fascination with Virginia creeper, her 'gateway' to native plants. It has beautiful fall color, provides food for local creatures, and is a great alternative for English ivy.
Rentz Hilyer, of the Northern Virginia Conservation Trust (NVCT), described working with private landowners, some whose property is part of a conservation easement. With limited resources, they focus on a specific area, perhaps bounded by markers, or a specific species such as bush honeysuckle. The preferred treatment method is mechanical. Clipping vines from tree trunks is one of the most effective in freeing our landscape from porcelain berry, kudzu, or English ivy. However, some invasive plants are so stubborn, carefully applied chemical treatments are necessary. Rentz reminded us to focus on choosing sites where invasive eradication is achievable and to map infestations so we can better target our actions.
Our thanks to former Hollin Hiller, Katy Densmore, Chair of the NVCT, who connected us with Rentz Hilyer.
Suggested References
• Bringing Nature Home by Douglas Tallamy (book)
• Plant Invaders of Mid-Atlantic Natural Areas, Natl. Park Service, US Fish & Wildlife Service (available as book or PDF)
• Weeds Gone Wild, fact sheets, www.nps.gov/plants/alien
• Plant NoVa Natives - website with lots of resources
• Virginia Invasive Plant Species List, www.dcr.virginia.gov
Understanding Our Covenants
On April 28, 2019, Friends hosted an informational session on the covenants that require Hollin Hills homeowners to seek approval for additions and other external changes to their homes. As part of a Civic Association of Hollin Hills initiative to explore options for strengthening architectural protections in the neighborhood, the community expressed interest in pursuing two recommendations simultaneously: to obtain legal advice on whether and how to amend the covenants, and to engage with Supervisor Storck’s office about becoming an Historic Overlay District.
Following up on the Civic Association’s initiative, Friends of Hollin Hills, in conjunction with the Civic Association, hired Scott Surovell to provide the recommended legal advice. Scott is an attorney (and Virginia State Senator) who has litigated cases involving covenants and the authority of Home Owners Associations, and he also led an effort to amend the covenants in his own mid century modern Davenport development, Tauxemont.
After a social hour with wine, beer, and snacks, Scott and his associate, Nathan Rozsa, discussed what our covenants are, how they are structured, what amendments might look like, and what the process for amendment would be if the community decided to move forward.
Working with the DRC
On March 31, 2019 Friends of Hollin Hills hosted representatives from the Civic Association's Design Review Committee, better known as the DRC. The DRC is a volunteer committee of the Civic Association of Hollin Hills tasked with interpreting Design Review Guidelines in conjunction with the needs of the individual homeowner. The committee is currently staffed by three architects and two non-architects, along with a liaison from the Civic Association. Then-chair Andy Hight introduced the committee members and provided a brief overview of the Design Review Guidelines. The discussion then opened up for Q&A. A lightly edited video of the discussion is available on our facebook page.
On April 28, 2019, Friends hosted an informational session on the covenants that require Hollin Hills homeowners to seek approval for additions and other external changes to their homes. As part of a Civic Association of Hollin Hills initiative to explore options for strengthening architectural protections in the neighborhood, the community expressed interest in pursuing two recommendations simultaneously: to obtain legal advice on whether and how to amend the covenants, and to engage with Supervisor Storck’s office about becoming an Historic Overlay District.
Following up on the Civic Association’s initiative, Friends of Hollin Hills, in conjunction with the Civic Association, hired Scott Surovell to provide the recommended legal advice. Scott is an attorney (and Virginia State Senator) who has litigated cases involving covenants and the authority of Home Owners Associations, and he also led an effort to amend the covenants in his own mid century modern Davenport development, Tauxemont.
After a social hour with wine, beer, and snacks, Scott and his associate, Nathan Rozsa, discussed what our covenants are, how they are structured, what amendments might look like, and what the process for amendment would be if the community decided to move forward.
Working with the DRC
On March 31, 2019 Friends of Hollin Hills hosted representatives from the Civic Association's Design Review Committee, better known as the DRC. The DRC is a volunteer committee of the Civic Association of Hollin Hills tasked with interpreting Design Review Guidelines in conjunction with the needs of the individual homeowner. The committee is currently staffed by three architects and two non-architects, along with a liaison from the Civic Association. Then-chair Andy Hight introduced the committee members and provided a brief overview of the Design Review Guidelines. The discussion then opened up for Q&A. A lightly edited video of the discussion is available on our facebook page.