Governor Spanberger Announces 2026 Environmental Excellence Award Winners

RICHMOND, VA - Governor Abigail Spanberger today announced the winners of the 2026 Governor's Environmental Excellence Awards. The 11 winners and two honorable mention recipients were recognized at the Environment Virginia Symposium held at Virginia Military Institute for their environmental leadership through actions that strengthen the Commonwealth's conservation, resilience, and preservation efforts.

"Protecting Virginia's environment and promoting stewardship across the Commonwealth have impacts that will last for generations," said Governor Abigail Spanberger. "I am honored to recognize this year's winners for their efforts to protect Virginia's environment and for inspiring others to do the same."

The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) coordinate the awards program to recognize projects that reduce environmental impacts, programs that protect the environment and encourage sustainability, efforts to conserve land, and projects that demonstrate exemplary implementation of the Virginia Outdoors Plan.

Governor's Environmental Excellence Awards Gold Medal Winners:

• The Conservation Fund - Preserving James Monroe's Oak Hill: The Conservation Fund (TCF) permanently preserved James Monroe's Oak Hill Farm, the presidential home of James Monroe, in Loudoun County. Prior to its conservation, this 1200-acre property was at risk of development. As careful stewards of the estate, the DeLashmutt family worked diligently with TCF to develop a plan that will eventually see the property open to the public as a Virginia State Park.
• Four Mile Run Conservancy - Water Access for All at Four Mile Run: Through its Water Access for All project, Four Mile Run Conservancy established a public kayak and canoe launch at lower Four Mile Run in Alexandria, featuring a 187-foot raised boardwalk ramp. The launch is part of the City's 49-acre Four Mile Run Park and is the first of its kind in the DC metro area.
• Lancaster County - Windmill Point County Maritime Recreational Campus: Lancaster County's Windmill Point project transformed a severely eroded shoreline into a premier public recreational campus, restoring natural resources while expanding public access to the Chesapeake Bay. Years of careful planning efforts ensured Lancaster was able expand public beach access, restore dunes, install a 450-foot pier, and more.
• Piedmont Housing Alliance - Kindlewood Community Redevelopment: The Piedmont Housing Alliance's redevelopment of the Kindlewood Community in Charlottesville has allowed the 12-acres of Section 8 homes to become one of Virginia's largest climate-resilient, net-zero-ready, affordable housing communities, all while ensuring no residents were displaced.
• Prince William County Public Schools - Energy & Sustainability Program: Prince William County Public School's Energy & Sustainability Program provides strategic leadership to advance environmental and fiscal stewardship across the school division. The comprehensive approach integrates energy infrastructure, building performance, and waste reduction, while resilient operations result in healthier learning environments, long-term cost savings, and the development of future-ready students and facilities.
• Rappahannock Tribe, Inc. - Rappahannock Tribe Return to the River Restoration Initiative: The Rappahannock Tribe's Return to the River Restoration Initiative conserved over 900 acres of the tribe's ancestral homelands along the Rappahannock River at Fones Cliffs. Beyond ecological benefits, the project reconnects the Tribe to its historic river-based traditions through educational programs like "Return to the River," fostering cultural healing and environmental stewardship.
• Rockfish Valley Foundation - ENLIT (environmental literacy): The Rockfish Valley Foundation's Environmental Literacy (ENLIT) project is a multi-year initiative designed to enhance environmental education along the South Rockfish River Trails in Nelson County, Virginia. ENLIT has become a unique educational asset in Virginia, offering self-guided learning, structured walk-talks, and new opportunities for school field trips, community programs, and environmental stewardship.

Governor's Environmental Excellence Awards Silver Medal Winners:

• Fairfax County Park Authority - Spring Hill Recreation Center Energy Upgrades: Fairfax County Park Authority completed energy updates at its Spring Hill Recreation Center which reduced annual greenhouse gas emissions by 36 percent. The upgrades included rooftop mounted solar photovoltaic, geothermal heat pumps and a heat pump water heater, natatorium HVAC units, hot water plant upgrades, building controls, and lighting upgrades.
• InBio - Environmental Sustainability Program: InBio, a biotechnology company in Charlottesville, has made environmental sustainability an integral part of the company's management and culture. Initiatives included in the Environmental Sustainability Program range from 17,000 square feet of new energy efficient laboratory space to an innovative Green Benefits program that provides financial incentives to employees.
• Prince William Soil and Water Conservation District - Water Quality Program: The Prince William Soil and Water Conservation District's Water Quality Program promotes water quality awareness across Prince William County and educates the community on how local waterways connect to the Occoquan Reservoir and the Potomac River. The program includes chemical monitoring of over 80 sites and biological monitoring of over 15 sites in Prince Williams County.

Governor's Environmental Excellence Awards Bronze Medal Winners:

• Sewing Lab LLC - Circular Fashion Education & Textile Waste Reduction Program: Sewing Lab LLC is a circular fashion education program based in Herndon, that keeps textiles in use and out of landfills while teaching people how to sew, repair, and upcycle.

Governor's Environmental Excellence Awards Honorable Mention Recipients:

• Tree Fredericksburg - Canopy Restoration in the City of Fredericksburg: Tree Fredericksburg, a non-profit organization founded to restore the tree canopy in the City of Fredericksburg, it is responsible for over 45 percent of the current tree canopy on public lands in the city.
• Fairfax County Public Library Department of Procurement and Material Management - Library Book Reuse & Recycling Project: Fairfax County Public Library's Department of Procurement and Material Management launched an innovative pilot project to resell or recycle withdrawn print materials.

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