Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination

CONTACT INFORMATION: Our office is open to visitors by appointment only. Please call or email from 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
703-324-7136 TTY 711
12000 Government Center Pkwy, Suite 533
Fairfax, VA 22035
John Morrill
Director

Environmental Excellence Awards

Each year, the Fairfax County Environmental Excellence Awards recognize individuals, organizations, businesses and county employees who:

  •  Advance or support the county's environmental goals and policy statements
  •  Dedicate personal time and expertise beyond normal fiscal or civic responsibilities
  •  Demonstrate leadership as a role model for others
The Environmental Excellence Awards are administered by the Environmental Quality Advisory Council with support from the Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination (OEEC). If you have questions about the awards or the nomination process, please contact the OEEC at 703-324-7136, TTY 711.

Learn about Award Winners

The 2025 Environmental Excellence Award winners include a senior planner advancing climate resilience, a wastewater director restoring ecosystems, a Fairfax County Public Schools team fostering environmental literacy, a dedicated advocate for habitat restoration, a grassroots partnership promoting sustainability in underserved communities, and a business championing circular fashion and textile waste reduction

The 2025 Environmental Excellence Awardees are:

Individual County Resident Category

Margaret E. Fisher is a dedicated environmental advocate whose efforts range from certifying her property as a Wildlife Sanctuary to leading impactful initiatives across Fairfax County. Through her “Bee Safe Neighborhood” initiative and roles as a Master Naturalist and Outreach Director for Plant NOVA Natives, she has inspired hundreds to protect biodiversity, restore ecosystems, and adopt pesticide-free practices. Her collaborations with groups like the Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions demonstrate her commitment to habitat restoration, environmental education, and creating lasting community impact.

County Employee Category

Allison Homer, a senior planner with Fairfax County’s Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination, demonstrates exceptional leadership in advancing climate resilience and equity. She led a 2024 pilot project at Harmony Place Mobile Home Park to install air conditioning units in 29 homes for at-risk residents and launched the innovative AC Rescue program to provide cooling assistance to underserved populations. Her collaborative, equity-driven approach has improved quality of life for vulnerable residents while strengthening Fairfax County’s ability to adapt to climate challenges.


Michael McGrath, retiring Wastewater Treatment Director at the Noman M. Cole Water Recycling Facility, has spent 23 years advancing sustainable water management and ecological restoration. Under his leadership, the facility earned 24 NACWA Peak Performance Awards and helped restore Gunston Cove's aquatic ecosystems, including the return of submerged vegetation and river otters. His dedication to innovation, operational excellence, and environmental stewardship leaves a lasting legacy for Fairfax County and the broader wastewater industry.


The Fairfax County Public Schools Get2Green Team drives environmental literacy and sustainability across 200 schools, empowering students and staff through training, resources, and actionable programs. Their efforts have led to 50 schools earning national recognition, reducing over 132,847 pounds of waste, and creating 132 wildlife habitats, 141 outdoor learning spaces, and 122 edible gardens. By fostering collaboration and measurable environmental impact, the team is preparing the next generation to build a sustainable future while leaving a legacy of stewardship and educational excellence.

Organization and Business Category

Friends of Holmes Run (FoHR) and Hispanics Against Child Abuse and Neglect (HACAN) partnered to educate the Culmore-Crossroads community on the environmental and health impacts of single-use plastics while promoting trust in tap water as a safe alternative. Through bilingual workshops, outreach campaigns, and a pilot program introducing filter pitchers, they empowered families to adopt sustainable practices and eliminate bottled water use in HACAN programs. This grassroots collaboration exemplifies community engagement in fostering trust, improving public health, and advancing environmental stewardship.


Sewing Lab combines education, creativity, and sustainability to reduce textile waste and promote circular fashion, inspiring individuals to rethink their relationship with clothing. In seven months, it diverted over 500 pounds of textiles from landfills, educated 60+ participants through workshops, and partnered with 19 organizations, including George Mason University, Pride DC, and ReFashion Show. By teaching practical skills and emphasizing resource stewardship, Sewing Lab addresses fast fashion challenges and empowers sustainable action at both individual and community levels.
 

An awards ceremony to celebrate the 2024 and 2025 Environmental Excellence Award winners will take place on October 30 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Government Center in the Board Auditorium with a reception to immediately follow in the Forum. The event will also honor the recipients of the Friends of Trees and James M. Scott Exceptional Design awards.

The 2024 Environmental Excellence Awardees include a Dark Sky advocate who promotes efforts to reduce light pollution, a high school senior who started her own nonprofit organization to train other youth climate champions, three county employees working on waste reduction and plastic pollution initiatives, and a community association dedicated to preserving natural habitats for its residents.

The 2024 Environmental Excellence Awardees are:

Individual County Resident Category

Eileen Kragie, founder, Dark Sky Friends. Eileen has done frequent light pollution education, outreach, and event support, including launching the DarkSky NOVA chapter and supporting Space Day at George Mason University. She has been active in changing local lighting legislation and advocating for proclamations in support of International Dark Sky Week. Eileen also coordinated the first ever FireFly and BatFest events at Wolf Trap. 

Arielle Kouyoumdjian, a youth climate activist and senior at the Potomac School. Arielle established a non-profit organization called Changing Planet Justice Foundation, whose mission is to empower youth to speak out, share their stories, and inspire action within their communities and beyond. As executive director, she hosts a monthly podcast and has developed tool kits and activity options for youth between the ages of 5 and 18 to help them become effective advocates for sustainability and climate justice.

County Employee Category

Kirsten Buchner, public outreach and engagement specialist, Department of Public Works and Environmental Services. Kirsten developed and implemented a bus shelter advertising program for the Solid Waste Management Program that focused on reaching minority populations. The advertising campaign was centered on the Richmond Highway Corridor and generated 1.7 million weekly impressions. 

Caroline Hockenberry, coordinator, and Elizabeth (Liza) Moore, marketing and outreach coordinator, Fairfax County Park Authority Farmers Markets. Caroline and Liza have partnered with Clean Fairfax to eliminate single-use plastic bags from the county’s farmers markets. Caroline and Liza have also enhanced the sustainability of the markets by promoting the drop-off compost collection program, which last year collected 120,000 pounds of customer drop-off food scraps for compost.

Organization and Business Category

Hickory Farms Community Association, Braddock District.  The association has been active in preserving and enhancing more than 10 acres of wooded, riparian habitat along Rabbit Run, as well as more than 10 acres of urban open space within the community. The association has carried out a program of Resource Protection Area protection and stream remediation. In addition, the association installed an 18-unit Purple Martin colony and established a Bluebird trail consisting of ten boxes which has yielded a significant number of Bluebird fledglings. 

An awards ceremony to celebrate the 2024 and 2025 Environmental Excellence Award winners will take place on October 30 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Government Center in the Board Auditorium with a reception to immediately follow in the Forum. The event will also honor the recipients of the Friends of Trees and James M. Scott Exceptional Design awards.

The Environmental Excellence Awards are granted in up to four categories: Individual/County Resident, Organization, Business, and County Employee.

2023
Individual Award: Mei Torrey
Organization Award: Trace - The Zero Waste Store
Organization Award: Montebello Condominium Unit Owners Association Grounds Committee
County Employee Award: Hugh Whitehead
County Employee Award: Joseph Gorney
County Employee Award: Craig Carinci
 
2022
Individual Award: Will Friedman
Individual Award: Elisabeth Lardner
County Employee Award: Dr. Katherine Edwards
County Employee Award: Brandy Mueller
County Employee Award: Charles Smith
 
2021

Individual Award: Debra Ann Jacobson (posthumous)
Individual Award: Jennifer Pradas
Individual Award: Senator Scott Surovell
Organization Award: Reston Community Center
County Employee Award: Suzanne Foster
County Employee Award: Sarah King

2020

Individual Award: Sara Holtz
Individual Award: Delegate Mark Keam
Individual Award: Meghan Walker
Business Award: Freddie Mac
County Employee Award: Vickie Anglin

2019

Individual Award: Catherine Ledec
Individual Award: Helen Stevens
Organization Award: Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions
Organization Award: Reston Annual State of the Environment (RASER) Working Group
County Employee Award: James Hart
County Employee Award: Noel Kaplan

2018

Individual Award: Jennifer Cole
Individual Award: Betsy Martin and Paul Siegel
Organization Award: Mid-Atlantic Off-Road Enthusiasts
County Employee Award: Sally Carter
County Employee Award: Judy Fincham and Danielle Wynne

2017

Individual Award: Glenda Booth
Individual Award: Jim McGlone
Organization Award: Mason Neck Lions Club
Organization Award: McLean Citizens Association's Environment, Parks, and Recreation Committee and Churchill Road Elementary School
Business Award: The MITRE Corporation
County Employee Award: Robert Aaront
County Employee Award: Kambiz Agazi

2016

Individual Award: John Houser
Individual Award: Randy Sayles
Organization Award: ReBuild Warehouse
Organization Award: Town of Vienna Community Enhancement Commission
Business Award: Booz Allen Hamilton
Business Award: Freddie Mac
County Employee Award: Katherine Edwards

2015

County Resident Award: Duane DeBruyne
County Resident Award: Stephen Robinson
Organization Award: Friends of Accotink Creek
Organization Award: McLean Trees Foundation

2014

County Resident Award: John DeNoyer and Ann Csonka (posthumous)
Organization Award: Potomac Environmental Research and Education Center, George Mason University
Business Award: Davis, Carter, Scott Ltd
Business Award: Guernsey Office Products
County Employee Award: Joyce Doughty

2013

County Resident Award: Alan Ford
Organization Award: Herndon Environmental Network
Business Award: Burgundy Farm Country Day School
Business Award: Potomac Vegetable Farms
County Employee Award: Sean Duffy
County Employee Award: Randall G. Miller

2012

County Resident Award: Elaine Tholen
County Resident Award: Betsy Washington
Organization Award: ServiceSource
Business Award: Walker's Grill
County Employee Award: Ron Tuttle

2011

Organization Award: Fairfax County Restoration Project
Organization Award: Fairfax County Department of Vehicle Services

2010

County Resident Award: Maureen Goble 
Business Award: Project Performance Corporation
County Employee Award: Meghan Fellows

2009

Organization Award: Earth Sangha
Business Award:  Allen Wayne, Ltd.
County Employee Award: Carl Sivertsen

2008

County Resident Award: Chet McLaren
Organization Award:  Katherine K. Hanley Family Shelter Project Management Team
Business Award:  "Jack-the-Ripper" Certified Arborists, Inc.

2007

County Resident Award: Scott Birdwell
County Resident Award:  Eleanor Quigley and Penelope Firth
Organization Award:  Great Falls Citizens Association
Organization Award:  Invasive Management Area Volunteers
County Employee Award: Judy Fincham

2006

County Resident Award: Ken Andrews
Organization Award:  Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District
Business Award: Wetland Studies and Solutions, Inc.

2005

County Employee Award: Janet Rahman

2004

County Resident Award: Ned Foster
Organization Award: Reston Association

2003

County Resident Award: Joseph M. Chudzik
Organization Award: Students Against Global Abuse (SAGA)
County Employee Award: Noel H. Kaplan

2002

County Resident Award: Charlie Creighton
Organization Award: Hickory Farms Community Association

2001

County Resident Award: Chris Koerner
Organization Award: Bailey's Beautification Alliance

2000

County Resident Award: Norma Hoffman
Organization Award: Friends of Sugarland Run
County Employee Award: Gary Roisum

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