Nominations Open for Environmental Excellence Award

Alexandria Renew Enterprises and the city’s Environmental Policy Commission are seeking nominees for the fifth annual Ellen Pickering Environmental Excellence Award. 

The award honors and recognizes those who demonstrate a commitment to protect the natural environment and keep the city “green.”

Nominations may be submitted by Mar. 15 online or mailed or delivered to: Alexandria Environmental Policy Commission, City Hall, T&ES, Office of Environmental Quality, 301 King St., Room 3000, Alexandria, VA 22314. More information about nomination requirements can be found on the city's Earth Day website.

The award will be presented during the Alexandria Earth Day celebration at Ben Brenman Park April 20, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

A tree will also be planted in honor of the recipient of this year’s award.

The Earth Day event will include educational exhibits, demonstrations, hands-on activities for children, a tree sale and more to emphasize this year’s theme: Water: Every Drop Counts!

The Ellen Pickering Environmental Excellence Award is named in honor of Frances Ellen Pickering, a former board member of the Alexandria Sanitation Authority.

She helped create the Mount Vernon Trail between Alexandria and Washington. Pickering was committed to preserving and enhancing the city’s waterfront and urged the adoption of the city’s Open Space Plan, lobbying to preserve Founder’s Park and protect it from high-rise development. She also implemented the planting of 1,000 citizen-donated cherry trees during her tenure as chair of the Alexandria Beautification Commission.

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