Joyce Hylton Wins Ellen Pickering Environmental Excellence Award

ALEXANDRIA, VA — On Tuesday, the 2021 Ellen Pickering Environmental Excellence Award was presented to Joyce Hylton, a master gardener volunteer in the Arlington/Alexandria unit of the Virginia Cooperative Extension Master Gardener program.

The Ellen Pickering Environmental Excellence Award recognizes those in the Alexandria community who show a commitment to protecting the environment and preserving local natural resources. The award is named for the Ellen Pickering for her lifelong dedication to city preservation and conservation.

Hylton was recognized for her service as a master gardener through Virginia Cooperative Extension, an outreach program of Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The City of Alexandria Environmental Policy Commission and Alexandria Renew Enterprises presented the award during Tuesday's City Council meeting.

"For over 20 years, Alexandrians have benefitted from Joyce Hylton’s knowledge, expertise, and generosity," said Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson. "She has led and trained over 240 volunteers, making a positive impact on so many people through various civic programs in Alexandria, while instilling a sense of responsibility to our natural environment."

As a master gardener volunteer for 21 years, Hylton has supported Alexandria residents with gardening and landscaping needs, giving nearly 7,900 hours of volunteer service. She has provided four to five public programs per year on sustainable landscape management at community locations such as libraries and community centers and promotes environmentally-friendly horticulture practice. She also supports the VCE Master Gardener volunteer training program and was once the training coordinator.

She can often be found at the Master Gardener Help Desk to help Alexandrians who call, email, or walk in with questions ranging from tree care, soil testing, and plant selection to vegetable gardening and composting. She has VCE, an organization that provides research-based scientific knowledge and services to our residents.

"Joyce Hylton's volunteer work makes her an outstanding recipient for the Ellen Pickering Environmental Excellence Award," said AlexRenew CEO Karen Pallansch. "Her service and dedication to educating the citizens of Alexandria on sustainable landscape management to benefit our environment has established her as a role model for volunteers in our community."

Past winners of the Ellen Pickering Environmental Excellence Award are:

• 2019: Kurt Moser
• 2018: Judy Noritake
• 2017: Katharine Dixon
• 2016: St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes School
• 2015: Pete Raack
• 2014: UpCycle Creative Reuse Center
• 2013: Danielle Fidler
• 2012: Alexandria Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee
• 2011: Samantha Ahdoot
• 2010: Montie Kust
• 2009: Elizabeth Chimento and Poul Hertel