Jeremy Edwards is the 2019 Employee of the Year

Jeremy Edwards, Green Space Manager in the Department of Public Works, has been named the 2019 City of Falls Church Employee of the Year. The citizen-led Employee Review Board selected Mr. Edwards for going above and beyond his job description by being a leader in conservation landscape management, collaborating with volunteers, and providing environmental education. The nomination was written and signed by 26 City residents and business partners.

In 2019, Mr. Edwards recognized savings opportunities with commercial and private development projects. He requested wood chips from the clearing of the Founder’s Row commercial development property and used them for the walking patch in Howard Herman Stream Valley Park, saving the City $6,000. He also collaborated with residents to transplant unwanted native plants and trees from private properties to City parks.

Since becoming Green Space Manager in December 2012, Mr. Edwards leads enthusiastic volunteers of all ages to plant native trees, shrubs, and perennials in the City’s parks, positively impacting wildlife habitat and storm water retention. In 2019, he led a total of 280 volunteers at 12 public events with the City’s Habitat Restoration Team. This small rolling army removed invasive plants and installed over 7,600 native plants in eight of the City’s parks. These volunteers represent over 542 volunteer hours and thousands of dollars of donated labor.

Mr. Edwards engages the community in hands-on learning like advising Girl Scout Gold Star projects, Boy Scout Eagle Scout projects, and wildlife projects initiated by the George Mason High School Environmental Club. His collaborations with Master Naturalists, Master Gardeners, and Tree Stewards strengthen the development of the local learning community of professional and citizen experts dedicated to public environmental education.

The nomination essay reads, "The tangible results of Mr. Edwards's leadership are evidenced in the beauty and function as wildlife habitat and green infrastructure of the City’s parks and in cost savings to the City. But the intangible results, the process of education that is difficult to put a price tag on, are just as impressive. For community members, his leadership builds morale and shapes their views on the City’s commitment to a more sustainable and resilient environment and encourages them to apply more sustainable and ecological techniques in their own backyards. Community members have come to trust and rely upon Jeremy’s expertise and actively seek him out. City resident Priscilla Guthrie describes the impact that he has for the community:

Jeremy Edwards is an incredible City resource. Over the years, we’ve watched him improve our parks and also increase residents’ appreciation and support for these precious natural assets. One of Falls Church’s young residents -- a 10 year old -- expressed it all when he ran towards a place in Crossman this spring. He was looking down as he ran, then suddenly stopped and started jumping into the air saying, “Here are the plants I planted last year. They are GROWING!” And, indeed they were.

The citizen-based Employee Review Board selects an Employee of the Year each year from nominations submitted by City employees and citizens. The other nominees this year were Dana Lewis (Housing and Human Services), Carly Lumsden (Emergency Communications, Police Department), Kerri Oddenino (CPEDS), and Billette Ripy (Library).