Prince George's County Beautification Awards

The Prince George's County Beautification Awards, a product of the County's Beautification Committee, celebrates people who help shape the County's aesthetic through landscaping and gardening. You are encouraged to apply on your own behalf or nominate a friend or neighbor whose property you consider beautiful.

If you have questions or would like more information, please contact Prince George's County Beautification Committee member, Brooke Westby, by dialing 301-627-7758, emailing pgc.beautification@gmail.com or visit pgcbeautification.com.

The History of the Beautification Committee

The Beautification Committee is a volunteer organization. Originally created and sponsored in 1960 by the Chamber of Commerce. It was designated, by then County Commissioners to be an official part of the Prince George’s County Government in 1965, when members were appointed by the County Executive. The Department of Public Works and Transportation is the agency responsible for oversight of the programs developed by the Committee, which was dedicated to the protection of the environment and the preservation of Prince George’s County as a healthy and pleasant place to live and work.

In the early days, the emphasis was on a county-wide street tree planting program, working with Civic Associations and individual citizens. Within a few years, a resolution had been passed to require installation of street trees on all new County roads being built. By 1975, 40,000 trees had been planted—a considerable achievement and legacy. Other early activities included the establishment of a Memorial Tree Program with M-NCPPC, leadership in countywide clean-up efforts and the passage of a Clean Lot Ordinance. The annual Beautification Awards Program was established in 1970, and since then, residents and landscape professionals gather every year in late September at Newton White Mansion for the Awards Ceremony to celebrate countless efforts to beautify our County

The tradition of involving an entire elementary school in the official Prince George’s County Arbor Day began in 1985. Every spring, the Beautification Committee and community volunteers go to a site to plant a tree with each class of students in the school. What began as a small affair grew to be an event involving the Neighborhood Design Center, Maryland Department of Natural Resources Forest Service, Prince George’s County Department of the Environment, Prince George’s County Department of Public Works and Transportation, Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Prince George’s Soil Conservation District and Prince George’s County Schools.

To find out more about the beatification efforts the Beautification Committee leads view our 2023 Annual Report.

The Prince George’s County Beautification Committee was established in 1960 as the citizens’ advisory group for matters related to street and landscaping programs.  In 1965 they became an official arm of the Prince George’s County Government.  

For more information about the County Boards and Commission, visit the County Boards and Commission Website.