Today, Fairfax County announced the winners of the 2025 Environmental Excellence Awards, recognizing outstanding individuals, organizations and businesses that have made remarkable contributions to environmental stewardship and sustainability.

This year’s 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. 

“These winners exemplify how individual and collective action can positively transform our community,” said Chairman Jeffrey C. McKay. “Their achievements inspire all of us to continue working together to protect and enhance our natural environment for future generations.”  

The Environmental Excellence Awards are presented annually to recognize county residents, county employees, businesses and organizations who have dedicated their time and expertise to preserving the health and beauty of Fairfax County’s natural resources. The awards are administered by the Environmental Quality Advisory Council with support from the Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination (OEEC). A committee of the council selects awardees from a pool of nominations.

The 2025 Environmental Excellence Awardees are:

• County Government Employee Category: Allison Homer, a senior planner with OEEC, for advancing climate adaptation and resilience through equity-driven solutions, including the launch of Fairfax County’s AC Rescue program for underserved populations.
   
• County Government Employee Category: Michael McGrath, Wastewater Treatment Director at the Noman M. Cole, Jr. Water Recycling Facility, for 23 years of leadership in sustainable water management and the ecological recovery of Gunston Cove through advanced treatment technologies.
   
• County Government Employee Category: Get2Green Team, for advancing environmental literacy among Fairfax County Public Schools students and building sustainable school cultures through outdoor learning spaces, wildlife habitats, garden programs, and waste reduction efforts.
   
• Individual Resident Category: Margaret E. Fisher, an advocate for habitat restoration and biodiversity, for her property-based and community-wide initiatives promoting wildlife sanctuaries, native plants, and pesticide-free practices as part of the Plant NOVA Natives campaign.
   
• Organization Category: Friends of Holmes Run (FoHR) and Hispanics Against Child Abuse and Neglect (HACAN), for their transformative partnership educating the Culmore-Crossroads community about sustainable alternatives to single-use plastics and fostering trust in municipal water with culturally relevant outreach programs.
   
• Business Category: Sewing Lab, for empowering individuals to reduce textile waste and embrace circular fashion through hands-on workshops, clothing swaps, and educational programs in partnership with local organizations.

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.

For more information, including a list of past winners, please visit the Environmental Excellence Awards webpage.