Alexandria Environmental Policy Commission and Alexandria Renew Enterprises Seek Nominees for the Seventh Annual Ellen Pickering Environmental Excellence Award

For Immediate Release: February 23, 2015

Award Honors Legacy of Distinguished Alexandria Environmental Steward

The Alexandria Environmental Policy Commission and Alexandria Renew Enterprises are seeking nominees for the Seventh Annual Ellen Pickering Environmental Excellence Award to honor and recognize those who demonstrate a commitment to protecting the natural environment and keeping the City green.

The award will be presented during the Alexandria Earth Day celebration at Ben Brenman Park, 4800 Brenman Park Dr., from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 25.  A tree will be planted in honor of the recipient of the 2015 Ellen Pickering Environmental Excellence Award.  The event will include various educational exhibits, demonstrations, hands-on activities for children, a tree sale and more that will emphasize this year’s theme: It’s Your Turn to Lead!

The Ellen Pickering Environmental Excellence Award is named in honor of Ellen Pickering, a former Board member of the Alexandria Sanitation Authority, who was dedicated to preservation and conservation in the City throughout her life.  She helped create the Mount Vernon Trail between Alexandria and Washington.  Mrs. Pickering was committed to preserving and enhancing the City’s waterfront and urged the adoption of the City’s Open Space Plan and lobbying to preserve Founder’s Park.  She also implemented the planting of 1,000 citizen-donated cherry trees during her tenure as Chair of the Alexandria Beautification Commission.

Mrs. Pickering served on a number of City Boards and Commissions, and was elected to City Council as an independent for one term between 1976 and 1979.

Qualifications: Residents, groups, clubs, organizations or corporations may be nominated.  To be eligible, nominees must live within the City of Alexandria and corporations, organizations and other groups must operate within the City of Alexandria. The actions of the nominees must have a direct impact on protecting the natural environment and natural resources within the City of Alexandria.

Selection: Selection will be made by a special committee composed of Alexandria Renew Enterprises, the Environmental Policy Commission, and members of Mrs. Pickering’s family.

Applicable Topics: Subject matter applicable to the award criteria include natural resource preservation, energy conservation, education outreach regarding environmental sustainability, water preservation, water conservation, waste reduction and/or materials reuse/recycling, and promotion of clean air.

Those making nominations may also refer to the Alexandria’s Eco-City Charter, adopted in 2008, and the Environmental Action Plan 2030, adopted in in 2009. Both documents define the guiding principles of environmental sustainability. Visit the Eco-City Alexandria page for more information. 

Nomination Requirements:

Submissions must include the following:

• The nominee’s name, address, and telephone number, or the key individual to contact if a nominee is an organization.
• The name, address, and telephone number of the person nominating the candidate must be included.
• A brief description (not to exceed one page) of the nominee’s accomplishments and qualifications for the Ellen Pickering Environmental Excellence Award.

Nominations may be submitted in several ways:

• Online Nominations: http://survey.alexandriava.gov/s3/EllenPickeringAward
  
• Mailed or delivered to:
  The Alexandria Environmental Policy Commission
  Office of Environmental Quality
  City Hall, 301 King St., Room 3000
  Alexandria, VA 22314
  Attention:  Khoa Tran

Nominations must be received by March 27, 2015