Alexandria, VA – Every spring, as blossoms bloom and pollinators buzz with purpose, the Alexandria Beautification Commission launches its annual mission to find creative and environmentally sustainable properties across the city for the Beautification Awards.
We’re not just looking for curb appeal. We look for spaces that care for the planet while catching the eye. Think native plants, rain barrels, permeable pavement, and public art that surprises and inspires. These practices make our neighborhoods more beautiful and also support the pollinators and biodiversity that help our ecosystems thrive.
Each year, we invite the public to help us celebrate this kind of local beauty. Do you know a neighbor with a pollinator paradise? Run a business with a green thumb? Maybe your yard fits the bill? If a property meets our criteria (available at alexandriava.gov/beautification), we welcome nominations. Self-nominations are encouraged. While this year’s deadline was June 15, nominations will reopen next spring.
Here’s the inside scoop. Commissioners don’t just wait for nominations. We scout the city ourselves. “We divvy up Alexandria into zones, hop into cars, and cruise every public street on what I call a ‘beauty hunt’,” says Chair Eleanor Trice. Since late April, you may have seen us snapping photos and scribbling notes. It’s all part of the process.
Once we gather nominations, both from the public and from our scouting, we plan a driving route and begin the final tour. Commissioners ride together in a city van, now proudly marked with our logo, and travel across Alexandria, assessing each property. In past years, we’ve visited more than 70 properties, taking time to admire native gardens, creative landscaping, public art, and architecture.
This year’s judging will take place on Saturday, July 12. Clipboards in hand, we’ll rate each site, share thoughts, and cast our votes. It’s competitive, inspiring, and full of surprises. That native garden on the corner of your front yard might just be selected. Winners will be notified in late July or early August.
Looking for inspiration? Visit alexandriava.gov/beautification to see past winners. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
Even swapping a patch of grass for native plants can make a big difference. It helps our ecosystem and adds lasting beauty. Let’s make Alexandria more beautiful and more sustainable, one native plant at a time.
