ALEXANDRIA, Virginia – May 2, 2011 – Mayor William D. Euille presented the 3rd Annual Ellen Pickering Environmental Excellence Award to Samantha Ahdoot, M.D. at the Alexandria Earth Day festivities this past Saturday. The award formally recognizes outstanding citizens who have demonstrated their commitment to protecting the natural environment and promoting environmental sustainability within Alexandria. Dr. Ahdoot was selected from a pool of nominations reviewed by members of the City of Alexandria Environmental Policy Commission (EPC) and the Alexandria renew Enterprises, as well as a Ellen Pickering’s daughter Frances Pickering.
Dr. Samantha Ahdoot is a pediatrician with Pediatric Associates of Alexandria, a former member of the Environmental Policy Commission, and a current member of the Early Childhood Commission. According to Maureen Leary, who nominated her, “Dr. Ahdoot strives to exemplify a life of environmental awareness, and to take actions that benefit the community.”
Dr. Ahdoot’s accomplishments over the last several years include creating and chairing the Green Team at Maury Elementary, creating the Maury Energy Star Program, and organizing a student presentation on this program to the Alexandria School Board in 2008.
Most recently, Dr. Ahdoot initiated and is co-director of the George Washington Community Garden, which has grown into a group of approximately 25 committed Del Ray and Rosemont citizens who have created a 4,000 square foot organic fruit and vegetable garden on the grounds of George Washington Middle School.
“I had the pleasure of meeting Ellen and I am honored to be receiving this honor,” said Dr. Ahdoot after accepting the award from Mayor Euille and Frances Pickering. “I hope I can strive to make just a little bit of the difference she did.”
The award is named in honor of Ellen Pickering’s lifelong dedication to preservation and conservation in the City of Alexandria. Pickering was a long-time City resident, serving on the City Council from 1976 to 1979. She was also on numerous City boards and commissions, including serving on the board for ASA from 1992 to 2007.
The Alexandria EPC advises and makes recommendations to the City Council on a variety of environmental matters, such as clean air, land use, and water quality and supply. The EPC consists of 13 members and is supported by the City of Alexandria Department of Transportation and Environmental Services (T&ES), Office of Environmental Quality.
The Alexandria Renew Enterprises operates one of the most advanced wastewater reclamation facilities in the United States, located on a 35-acre site within walking distance of Old Town Alexandria in Northern Virginia. ASA serves about 350,000 people in the City of Alexandria and part of Fairfax County, processing an average of 13 billion gallons of wastewater every year. ASA is committed to being an environmental steward, good neighbor, and industry leader in its day-to-day treatment of water. Visit www.alexsan.com for more information.