ENROLLED ORIGINAL 1 A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION 25-39 IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA April 4, 2023 To recognize, honor, and thank the Ward 8 Woods Conservancy for their commitment to restoring the woodland ecology, building trails, and promoting health and sustainability in Ward 8 through job creation, advocacy, and community engagement. WHEREAS, Ward 8 Woods began as the Committee to Restore Shepherd Parkway in 2011, founded by Phillip Pannell and Nathan Harrington, who currently serves as the Executive Director of Ward 8 Woods; WHEREAS, the Committee to Restore Shepherd Parkway brought together over 2,000 volunteers to clear trash and invasive vines from hundreds of trees, resulting in the National Park Service developing a concept-planning process for Shepherd Parkway; WHEREAS, the Committee to Restore Shepherd Parkway became the Ward 8 Woods Conservancy in 2018; WHEREAS, Ward 8 Woods began the Park Stewards program, committed to creating jobs for Ward 8 residents with traditional barriers to employment, including returning citizens; WHEREAS, the Ward 8 Woods Park Stewards care for over 500 acres of Ward 8 forest through cleanup and monitoring of the woods and educating and engaging with the community; WHEREAS, Ward 8 Woods has removed hundreds of tons of trash and saved thousands of trees from invasive vines; WHEREAS, Ward 8 Woods has made invaluable contributions to creating equitable access to green space and supporting the holistic health and wellness of Ward 8 communities. RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this resolution may be cited as the “Ward 8 Woods Conservancy Recognition Resolution of 2023” . Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia recognizes, honors, and thanks the Ward 8 Woods Conservancy for their commitment to restoring the woodland ecology, building trails, and promoting health and sustainability in Ward 8 through job creation, advocacy , and community engagement. ENROLLED ORIGINAL 2 Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately.