When I moved to Fredericksburg I noticed the lack of tree-lined streets. Walking without shade in Virginia summers is brutal. This motivated me to start Tree Fredericksburg. With the help of thousands of volunteers, and our 65 Tree Stewards, Tree Fred planted over 10,000 trees in our city and are responsible for over 47% of the city’s trees. We also have given away over 60,000 native trees and shrubs to the community to help improve our environment and beautify our neighborhoods. The city did not have a dedicated city arborist from 2008-2023. Over those 15 years, Tree Fred was the de-facto city arborist. We obtained over $600,000 in grants for trees, over 7,000 volunteers assisted us with our efforts, we saved the city over a million dollars that it would have spent to hire an arborist, Tree Fred did it at no cost.

I am working with other environmental leaders across the state, helping to advocate for protection of our urban forests in Virginia.  Over 75% of Virginians live in urban areas and tree canopy is critical to our quality of life, as well as to sustaining our native wildlife.

The annual MLK Breakfast is the main fund-raising event for our local branch.  As co-chair of the event, I am able to help raise funds to help further the mission of the NAACP.

I led the campaign for the Friends of the Rappahannock to advocate for the protection of the 4,200-acres of the riverfront easement property.  We were successful and now this land is protected forever.

I was elected to the Tri-County/City Soil and Water Board in 2007.  The “Drains to the Bay” medallions on all our storm drains in the city occurred under my tenure on the board.

Along with a huge group of wonderful volunteers, we planted and maintained the 34 downtown planters for 12 years with flowers in the summer and Christmas Trees in the winter.  I wanted to beautify our downtown and bring people joy.

I served on the Board for four years.  Assisting the people who need help with the basic necessities of life gave me a greater understanding and appreciation of the struggles that many must endure just to keep their families fed and housed.  The Board of Social Services ensures that the most vulnerable of our population has a helping hand with these challenges.

My husband Carl and I were honored for our 17 years of work with Tree Fredericksburg and our tree planting efforts across the city.

This award recognizes and shares the stories of individuals that the Allen & Allen Firm deem, “Hometown Heroes”.  This honor recognizes individuals that generate positive change in the community and in the lives of others.

Nominated by Fredericksburg Parks & Recreation staff for volunteer contributions to our city’s parks.  Helping to plant thousands of trees, shrubs and flowers in our parks has been a joy.

This award is given by Chesapeake Bay Foundation to recognize “Champions of the Chesapeake” for their dedication to the conservation and preservation of the Chesapeake Bay, the largest estuary in the United States, and deemed a national treasure.