[Archived] Alexandrians Invited to Nominate Local Environmental Stewards

For Immediate Release: February 24, 2021 

The Alexandria Environmental Policy Commission and Alexandria Renew Enterprises are seeking nominees for the Ellen Pickering Environmental Excellence Award. This award recognizes members of the Alexandria community who demonstrate a commitment to protecting the environment and preserving local natural resources. Nominations must be received by March 25.  

The City of Alexandria and AlexRenew will celebrate Earth Day 2021 with a number of virtual activities throughout April and will announce the Pickering award winner during the virtual Alexandria Earth Day event on April 22.

The award was established to honor the legacy of the late Ellen Pickering, a former member of both the City Council and the board of Alexandria Renew Enterprises (formerly the Alexandria Sanitation Authority). Pickering, a long-standing advocate for environmental conservation, worked to ensure that the Potomac River waterfront was accessible to the public and not reserved for private interests. She also helped create the Mount Vernon Trail between Alexandria and Washington, and managed the installation of 1,000 resident-donated cherry trees during her tenure as chair of the Alexandria Beautification Commission.  

The Award Committee includes representatives from Alexandria Renew Enterprises, the Environmental Policy Commission and members of Pickering’s family. Each year the committee awards an individual or organization for their work in caring for our environment in active, demonstrable ways.  

Visit alexandriava.gov/EarthDay for more information about the Ellen Pickering Environmental Excellence Award, including eligibility criteria, nominating requirements and the selection process. 

For media inquiries, contact Andrea Blackford, Senior Communications Officer, at  andrea.blackford@alexandriava.gov or 703.746.3959. 

For reasonable disability accommodation, email geralyn.taylor@alexandriava.gov or call 703.746.4084, Virginia Relay 711.