On Sunday, April 21, the City of Alexandria’s Environmental Policy Commission (EPC) and AlexRenew, Alexandria’s wastewater authority, presented the 2024 Ellen Pickering Environmental Excellence Award to Scott Knudsen and Jennifer Pease. The two are known for co-managing their biannual native plant sale and grassroots efforts to educate their community about sustainable landscaping. 

Rebecca Hammer, AlexRenew Board Director and Ellen Pickering Award Selection Committee member, presented the award to Knudsen and Pease at the Del Ray Citizens Association’s Gardenfest, one of Alexandria’s many community events celebrating Earth Month. In addition to Hammer, Jennifer Debias with City of Alexandria’s Environmental Policy Commission, and Duff Pickering representing the family of Ellen Pickering. Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson, Vice Mayor Amy Jackson, and Councilmembers also attended the event.   

Residents of Alexandria’s Parkfairfax neighborhood, Knudsen and Pease have been hosting the biannual native plant sales since the fall of 2003.  

Knudsen began developing his vision for native planting as a member of the first Alexandria Tree Steward class when he realized that invasive plants were infesting local woodlands. At the time, it was difficult to find quality native species to plant without having to travel far, and anyone with an interest in sustainable landscaping had few local options. He and his wife, Jennifer, hosted their inaugural native plant sale to provide native plant alternatives while educating neighbors about sustainable gardening.  

Since then, Knudsen and Pease have expanded the sale to include vendors from Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania, as well as information tables staffed by local volunteers and experts from Tree Steward and Virginia Master Naturalists volunteers who provide guidance on the use of native plants. Knudsen and Pease personally assist plant sale patrons and offer advice to those new to sustainable gardening.  

The concept of sustainable landscaping was not popular when they started the native plant sale over 20 years ago, but Knudsen and Pease have worked diligently to change the mindset in Alexandria. Over the years, they have made native plants more accessible to local gardeners, boosted demand for native plants in local nurseries, and increased local biodiversity by introducing native plants into hundreds - perhaps thousands - of public and private outdoor spaces in Alexandria. 

The Ellen Pickering Environmental Excellence Award recognizes Alexandria community members who demonstrate a commitment to protecting the environment and preserving local natural resources. The annual award honors the late Ellen Pickering and her lifelong dedication to preservation of green space throughout Alexandria. Nominations are accepted each year starting in February and awarded in April as part of the City’s Earth Month celebration. 

Visit alexandriava.gov/EarthDay for more information about the Ellen Pickering Environmental Excellence Award and other Earth Month activities.