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Alexandria residents and organizations have until Friday, March 14, 2025, to submit nominations for an award recognizing significant local environmental work.
The City of Alexandria Environmental Policy Commission and AlexRenew, the city’s public wastewater treatment authority, are accepting nominations for the 2025 Ellen Pickering Environmental Excellence Award. Eligible nominees include residents, groups, clubs, organizations and corporate neighbors that live or operate in Alexandria.
Nominees must have taken demonstrable action that directly protects the city’s natural environment and resources. A committee representing AlexRenew, the Environmental Policy Commission and the Pickering family will select the recipient.
The winner will be announced during Del Ray GardenFest on Sunday, April 27. The event is part of “Earth Month 2025: Steps to a Greener Alexandria,” a series of activities planned throughout April.
The award honors the late Ellen Pickering, who served on the Alexandria City Council and AlexRenew’s board. A longtime conservation advocate, Pickering worked to preserve public access to the Potomac River waterfront and helped establish the Mount Vernon Trail between Alexandria and Washington, D.C.
While chairing the Alexandria Beautification Commission, she also oversaw the planting of 1,000 cherry trees donated by residents.