City of Alexandria
City officials present the 2023 Ellen Pickering Environmental Excellence Award to Friends of the Mount Vernon Trail.
An Alexandria-based volunteer organization dedicated to maintaining and improving the Mount Vernon Trail won the 2023 Ellen Pickering Environmental Excellence Award on Sunday.
The City of Alexandria Environmental Policy Commission (EPC) and Alexandria Renew Enterprises (AlexRenew), the independent public wastewater treatment authority serving Alexandria, presented the award. The award was founded in
Friends of the Mount Vernon Trail (FOTMV) started in 2018, and it was inspired by the legacy of Ellen Pickering and Barbara Lynch, the two women who built the Mount Vernon Trail. The organization focuses on four areas: trail maintenance, natural resource protection, natural resource appreciation and advocacy.
AlexRenew Board of Directors Secretary-Treasurer, Bill Dickinson, presented the award to FOTMVT President and Co-Founder, Judd Isbell at the Del Ray Citizens Association’s GardenFest event, one of Alexandria’s community events celebrating Earth Day. Congressman Don Beyer, Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson, Vice Mayor Amy Jackson, and Councilmembers Alyia Gaskins and Sarah Bagley also attended and praised the organization for how it supports community parks and trails.
The Ellen Pickering Environmental Excellence Award recognizes Alexandria community members who demonstrate a commitment to protecting the environment and preserving local natural resources. Volunteers from FOTMVT can be seen on the trail every weekend conducting project work that includes repairing bridges, removing invasive species, performing bump removal service, pothole repair, bridge board replacement, pressure washing slippery bridges, trail edging, and trimming overgrowth of vegetation.
In 2020, the organization became a philanthropic partner of the National Park Service. Since that time, the group has conducted 118 volunteer events where 1,908 volunteers have provided 5,425 hours, ensuring the conditions on the trail provide safe, sustainable transportation and recreation by cyclists, runners and walkers.
This annual award honors the late Ellen Pickering and her lifelong dedication to City preservation and conservation. The selection committee is composed of one member of Ms. Pickering’s family, a representative from AlexRenew’s Board of Directors, and a representative of EPC. Nominations are accepted each year starting in February, and awarded in April as part of the City’s celebration of Earth Day.
