The North Star Award is a recognition inspired by the unwavering commitment of the late John Adamson, who viewed Shenandoah County’s Comprehensive Plan as a guiding light—our “North Star”—for conservation and land use planning. This award honors individuals who are no longer with us but who embodied the spirit of this vision, contributing significantly to conservation efforts in the Shenandoah Valley.
As we honor Friendly City Food Co-op as our 2024 Valley Treasure, it feels right to also recognize Sari Carp as this year’s North Star. Sari, the co-founder and first Executive Director of Sustainability Matters, was a passionate advocate for the health of our planet and worked tirelessly to make a difference. She believed deeply in inclusivity within conservation work and used positivity, fun, and community to inspire others to care for the environment.
Sari’s legacy lives on through projects like Making Trash Bloom, which transforms ecologically sterile landfill turf into pollinator meadows. Her vision led to multiple meadows at landfills across Virginia, and Sustainability Matters continues working to spread the project to new communities. Another project close to her heart was Rewilding Winchester, which introduced a one-acre native meadow in Jim Barnett Park. Sari laid the groundwork for this project, and it was brought to life by community volunteers in 2024.
It’s fitting to honor Sari at the same time as Friendly City Food Co-op, because the co-op supported nearly all of the Sustainability Matters landfill events. Sari lovingly referred to the co-op as “the official culinary sponsor of Making Trash Bloom,” because they provided food for events held at landfills—an idea that might seem incongruous but brought people together in meaningful ways.
Sustainability Matters’ staff is honored to carry on Sari’s work and vision.
Honoring Sari
We will honor Sari at the Valley Treasure ceremony at Friendly City Food Co-op’s patio area on Friday, October 18th at 10am (RSVP here). The event is open to everyone and those who can’t attend in person can join virtually via Facebook Live.