The City of Alexandria has received numerous awards for its commitment to sustainability. We are proud to present some of our most recent awards and honors!
2019
CITY OF ALEXANDRIA T&ES RESOURCE RECOVERY RECEIVES THE VIRGINIA RECYCLING ASSOCIATION’S “SHOW ME THE WAY AWARD”
T&ES Resource Recovery Staff received the Virginia Recycling Association’s “Show Me the Way Award” for the new #RecycleRight Alexandria sorting game! The award recognizes organizations that have taken actions to have a positive impact on people’s understanding of how to recycle. Have you played the sorting game yet? Be sure to check it out! Alexandriava.recycle.game.
CITY OF ALEXANDRIA STORMWATER MANAGEMENT AWARDED OVERALL HIGHEST SCORE, SILVER LEVEL IN INNOVATION AND GOLD LEVEL IN PROGRAM MANAGEMENT
The City of Alexandria’s Phase II Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) and Stormwater Management program awarded "Overall Highest Score" for Phase II MS4 Permittees from WEF Stormwater Institute. The City also earned "Silver Level in Innovation" and "Gold Level in Program Management" at the fifth annual National Municipal Stormwater & Green Infrastructure Awards.
CITY OF ALEXANDRIA WINS THE ALEXANDRIA BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN PLANNING AND DESIGN
The City team of T&ES, Department of Project Implementation, Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities, City of Alexandria, VA and Visit Alexandria VA won the Alexandria Beautification Commission award for Excellence in Planning and Design for the King St. Corridor Initiative. We are so proud of this great example of cross-departmental coordination. Visit King Street Retail Corridor Maintenance for more project details.
CITY OF ALEXANDRIA RECOGNIZED FOR NEW LANDSCAPE GUIDELINES
The City of Alexandria’s new landscape guidelines were recently recognized with a Communications Merit Award from the Virginia Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects, citing “excellence, exemplary performance, or significant achievement in communicating landscape architecture works, techniques, technologies, history, or theory.” Stephanie Free, Urban Planner with the Department of Planning and Zoning, accepted the award on September 20 at the Chapter’s Annual Award Ceremony in Virginia Beach. Find out more about the recognition and the landscape guidelines!
CITY OF ALEXANDRIA RECEIVES SILVER LEVEL FROM THE LEAGUE OF AMERICAN BICYCLISTS
Every year, the League of American Bicyclists assesses communities through a voluntary application. The City of Alexandria was designated as a Silver Level Bicycle Friendly Community (BFC) by the League of American Bicyclists. The League recognized the City of Alexandria for its efforts to welcome bicyclists and make bicycling safer and more enjoyable. Since 2006, the City of Alexandria and its community partners have focused on bicycling-related engineering, education, encouragement, and enforcement. The BFC accreditation-style program acknowledges municipalities that provide safe accommodations for cycling and encourage residents to ride for transportation and recreation.
2018
CITY OF ALEXANDRIA RECEIVES HIGHEST CERTIFICATION FOR VIRGINIA MUNICIPAL LEAGUE’S GO GREEN GOVERNMENT CHALLENGE
For the eleventh consecutive year, the City of Alexandria has been recognized by the Virginia Municipal League (VML) with its platinum-level certification for being a green and sustainable government. The platinum distinction, announced yesterday evening, is the VML’s highest certification level. The annual Go Green Government Challenge, a VML initiative, encourages local governments to implement specific environmental policies and practical actions that reduce carbon emissions generated by both the local government and the broader community. The City received several points for innovations in 2018, including:
- Development of a long term control plan for Alexandria’s combined sewer system.
- Innovative storm water treatment practices that achieved nutrient reductions exceeding requirements.
- Purchase of renewable energy credits (RECs) equivalent to 60% of the City government electricity consumption.
- Participation in the Northern Virginia Regional Commission’s Solarize NoVA program to promote installation of solar photovoltaic systems in Alexandria homes.
- Purchase and distribution of 24 thermal cameras to Alexandria libraries for resident use to detect heat losses in their homes and use the information to target corrective actions to reduce energy usage and corresponding greenhouse gas emissions.
More information about the Go Green Government Challenge is available at gogreenva.org.
THE CITY OF ALEXANDRIA RANKED SIXTH ON A LIST OF 131 CITIES WORKING TO REDUCE GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS
The Southeast Climate Commitment Index, created by the nonprofit group Community Sustainability USA, recognizes the City’s accomplishments and efforts to address climate change. The list ranks cities and counties with populations above 50,000 in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, and Florida. The City’s inclusion is aligned with its strong commitment to greenhouse gas reduction, as outlined in its Environmental Action Plan 2030, the City’s blueprint for creating a thriving, sustainable community. Read the news release to learn more.
ALEXANDRIA EARNS A SPOT AS A TOP 50 BEST BIKE CITIES IN AMERICA FROM BICYCLING MAGAZINE
Bicycling Magazine ranked Alexandria spot 25 for 2018 Best Bike Cities in America. This spot is up from 34th place two years ago. The magazine looked at various aspects of bicycling when ranking the top 50 cities, from availability of bike lanes for places bikers can stop at. The magazine graded cities on a 100-point scale with four categories: safety, accessibility to riders of all ages, political climate relating to biking and the scenery and stops along bike routes.
THE CITY OF ALEXANDRIA IS NAMED SECOND MOST WALKABLE CITY IN VIRGINIA.
Walkscore.com rated Alexandria a Walk Score of 60. This score is the second highest in Virginia for large cities.The most walkable Alexandria neighborhoods are Braddock Road Metro, Southwest Quadrant and Old Town North.
THE CITY OF ALEXANDRIA IS NAMED THE 2018 SUSTAINABILITY WINNER BY THE PUBLIC TECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE
The City of Alexandria Stormwater Utility Management System is named the Sustainability Winner by the Public Technology Institute.
2017
CITY OF ALEXANDRIA RECEIVES BRONZE DESIGNATION FROM PARTICIPATION IN SOLSMART PROGRAM.
SolSmart is a national designation program recognizing cities, counties, and regional organizations that foster the development of mature local solar markets. SolSmart is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies office. The City of Alexandria received SolSmart Bronze designation in 2017 and is currently working to achieve a higher designation. Find out more about the City's Renewable Energy Initiatives!
CITY OF ALEXANDRIA RECEIVES EXCELLENCE IN SUSTAINABILITY AWARD FROM THE AMERICAN PLANNING ASSOCIATION
The City received an Excellence in Sustainability Award for the best sustainable urban design plan or project in the country, given to the Eisenhower Small Area Plan.
CITY OF ALEXANDRIA WINS FIRST PLACE FOR THE BEST HABITAT CREATION FROM THE CHESAPEAKE STORM WATER NETWORK
The Four Mile Run Wetland Restoration is a two-acre wetland restoration project that involved an extensive invasive species abatement plan and the establishment of several diverse habitat types through a watershed approach to design and planning. The restored wetland system now includes a low marsh zone, a high marsh zone and an upland meadow in order to provide both terrestrial and aquatic habitat improvements for frogs, song birds and native pollinators while treating stormwater runoff. Read more about the award on the Chesapeake Stormwater site.