The Vermont Natural Resources Council (VNRC) is delighted to present the 2024 Arthur Gibb Award for Sustainable Community Leadership to Jessica Laporte, in recognition of her deep dedication to Vermont’s land and people. Jess is a dynamic leader, collaborator and statewide advocate for community resilience and equity.
As Co-Director of Community Resilience Organizations, Jess has expanded the organization’s capacity, enabling it to support six times more community projects since 2020 and demonstrating how creative fiscal sponsorship can empower communities to respond to their own needs.
Jess was a foundational member with Seeding Power Vermont, a collective of organizers working on systemic changes for BIPOC self-determination and healing relationships with land and between people. Through this work, Jess played a key role in organizing, writing, and passing legislation that led to the formation of the Land Access and Opportunity Board (LAOB), a state entity tasked with improving access to housing equity and land for Vermonters from historically marginalized or disadvantaged communities.
According to those that nominated her, Jess’ leadership is marked by her ability to inspire and mobilize diverse groups, her commitment to radical transparency and equitable practices, and her empathetic approach. She combines technical skills with creativity and humor, making her a powerful force for sustainable community impact. As one nominator described, “Jess fiercely motivates and inspires countless others…She has a unique ability to harness the will and skill of community and turn it toward real action that results in huge shifts in Vermont.” These are just a few highlights of Jess’ steadfast leadership and dedication to lifting up those around her that made her a standout nominee.
Every year, in honor of the late Arthur Gibb’s legacy of commitment to safeguarding Vermont’s environment and communities, VNRC recognizes an individual whose leadership has similarly brought about positive and lasting change by building healthy, equitable and sustainable communities. Gibb played a major role in passing key environmental and land use legislation that includes banning billboards, enacting Vermont’s bottle deposit law, regulating junkyards, and modernizing statutes governing local and regional planning. The award is presented annually at VNRC’s Annual Meeting, which will be held this year on Wednesday, October 2nd at Farmhouse Flowers in Moretown. To register for the event, visit: https://vnrc.org/2024-annual-meeting.