Resilient Fairfax, the county’s plan to address the effects of changing climate on residents, businesses, and critical infrastructure, has been honored with an Award for Excellence in Sustainability by the American Planning Association. 

The APA’s Sustainable Communities Division annually honors projects, policies, plans and people who show exemplary leadership and inspiration in sustainability planning and implementation in one of eight categories. Fairfax County’s plan was recognized for extraordinary achievement in the State or Regional category. Winners were announced at APA’s National Planning Conference on April 2.

Adopted in November of 2022, the Resilient Fairfax plan establishes goals and strategies to adapt to and to reduce risks from extreme heat, severe storms, and flooding. As Fairfax County faces increasingly “warmer, wetter, and weirder” conditions on average, the strategies in the plan will help the county boost the resilience of its population, infrastructure, public service systems, and natural resources to these climate-related hazards. 

Led by the Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination (OEEC), the planning process involved remarkable collaboration with more than 100 advisors, including over 20 county agencies, infrastructure managers and utilities, and dozens of community representatives and organizations. The 48 strategies in the plan are organized into four main pillars: Integrated Action Planning, Climate-Ready Communities, Resilient Infrastructure and Buildings, and Adaptive Environments.

OEEC is currently implementing the Resilient Fairfax plan and will be releasing detailed guidance and education for residents. Visit the OEEC website to learn more about the Resilient Fairfax plan.

And find more information about the APA Sustainable Communities Division Awards for Excellence in Sustainability.