And New Local Leadership Award
Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Natural Resources Council (VNRC) is pleased to announce that nominations are now open for two community leadership awards: the 2026 Arthur Gibb Award for Sustainable Community Leadership and the newly established Local Leadership Award. Both awards celebrate Vermonters whose vision, dedication, and courage are making a lasting difference for their neighbors and the places they call home. Nominations for both awards are due no later than Friday, July 3rd.
"Vermont’s communities are full of dedicated, thoughtful leaders working to protect our natural resources and build a healthier, more resilient state," said Lauren Hierl, Executive Director of VNRC. "These awards are our opportunity to shine a light on that essential work, and to recognize the individuals who show up, day after day, to make Vermont a better place."
Arthur Gibb Award for Sustainable Community Leadership
Established in 2006, the Arthur Gibb Award honors the legacy of the late Arthur “Art” Gibb, whose success as a public servant was directly attributable to his leadership, character, and personal convictions. Gibb served Vermont for decades as a legislator and advocate for balanced land use policy, committed to environmental stewardship and improving quality of life. Every year, in honor of his enduring legacy, VNRC recognizes an individual whose leadership has similarly brought about positive and lasting change toward more equitable, sustainable, and healthy communities.
The Sustainable Community Leadership Award is presented to a Vermont resident who has a demonstrated legacy of thoughtful leadership, civility, and commitment to advancing solutions that address the complex challenges facing Vermont and the shared goals of the people who call this unique place home.
You can find the criteria and nomination form for the Art Gibb Award here.
Local Leadership Award
New in 2026, the Local Leadership Award celebrates Vermonters who are making a meaningful difference in their communities as environmental and sustainability stewards. These are individuals who have demonstrated genuine commitment, and taken meaningful action in their careers or in their years of public service or volunteering. These are the community members who are building a notable track record and making a difference at the local level.
This award recognizes that great community leadership does not always announce itself through major achievements or decades of experience. Sometimes it appears in acts like organizing one’s neighbors to address a problem, bringing energy and creativity to a local board, or finding one’s voice around an important issue. The Local Leadership Award is for community members who are actively engaged in supporting sustainability, climate action, or natural resource protection through local community planning, advocacy, or public service, with a focus on town- or regional-level impact.
You can find the criteria and nomination form for the Local Leadership Award here.
Nominations for both awards are due no later than Friday, July 3, 2026. The awards will be presented at VNRC’s annual celebration this fall.
About VNRC
VNRC’s mission is to promote a healthy environment and resilient communities for all Vermonters today and into the future.
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