What is the Sustainable Community Leadership Award?

The Arthur Gibb Award for Sustainable Community Leadership is presented annually to a Vermont resident who has made a lasting contribution to their town, region or state through their dedication to building healthy, equitable and sustainable communities.

The Arthur Gibb Award for Sustainable Community Leadership, formerly the “Arthur Gibb Award for Individual Leadership,” was established by Smart Growth Vermont in 2006 (which merged with VNRC in 2011) in honor of the late Arthur “Art” Gibb. Learn more about Art Gibb’s life and legacy below. 

The 2024 nomination period for the Sustainable Community Leadership Award closed on July 19th. Thanks to all who shared nominations!

About Arthur Gibb

Arthur Gibb dedicated much of his life to ensuring that Vermont was a better place for future generations. Beginning his public service as a “fence viewer” in the town of Weybridge, Art Gibb served his community and state in countless ways until his death in 2005 at the age of 97. 

Gibb was first elected to the Vermont Legislature in 1962, where he chaired the House Natural Resources Committee. He was deeply involved in passing legislation to ban billboards, enact the state’s bottle deposit law, regulate junk yards and modernize statutes governing local and regional planning.  As a legislator, Gibb helped establish Vermont’s reputation for environmental awareness.

Governor Deane Davis appointed Gibb to chair the Governor’s Commission on Environmental Control, commonly referred to as the “Gibb Commission.” The commission worked over the summer of 1969, holding well-attended public hearings across the state. One result of their work was Act 250, Vermont’s pioneering land use law, the first statewide review of large-scale and environmentally sensitive development.

The challenges addressed by Art Gibb and the Gibb Commission – development pressure threatening the health and safety of Vermont’s human and natural communities – are felt just as much today, as community leaders face incredibly complex environmental, social and economic pressures. Yet, from rapid organizing of flood recovery efforts to creative solutions for accessible engagement, Vermont has no shortage of dedicated, thoughtful leaders. Let’s give them the recognition they deserve!

Selecting an individual

The Arthur Gibb Award for Sustainable Community Leadership recognizes individuals whose leadership, vision and courage has brought about positive and lasting change for our ability to build healthy, equitable and sustainable communities. The following characteristics, also hallmarks of Arthur Gibb, are considered:

• Leadership and the ability to motivate others around shared goals related to community planning, economic well-being, and the enhancement of Vermont’s natural resources and unique sense of place.
• Commitment to Public Service, including a willingness to enthusiastically volunteer to better their community. 
• Vision to recognize the challenges facing Vermont’s environment, landscape and communities now and in the future, and understand how those challenges can best be addressed through public policy and personal initiative.
• Creativity in crafting innovative solutions, policies and programs that strengthen Vermont’s community life and unique sense of place.
• Collaboration through the proactive and dedicated engagement of community members from a diversity of perspectives and lived experiences.  
• The ability to Balance competing interests in order to forge consensus and build bridges between those holding opposing views.
• Integrity and steadfastness in public service that earns the respect of colleagues, neighbors and diverse interest groups.
• Humility, expressed through respect for others, including those holding opposing viewpoints, and a willingness to work cooperatively and share recognition for accomplishments.

VNRC especially encourages nominations of individuals historically underrepresented in the environmental movement, including people of color, people from marginalized economic backgrounds, and people living with disabilities.

Characteristics of Sustainable Communities include:

• Protection of critical habitats and natural resources;
• Safe streets and infrastructure for walking, bicycling, and transit;
• Promotion of adaptive reuse of historic buildings, infill and brownfield redevelopment;
• Green stormwater infrastructure and nature-based solutions to flooding and other natural hazards;
• Land use laws that allow for compact, mixed-use and diverse housing in existing or new centers;
• Public access to open spaces;
• Preservation of sustainable agricultural and forest enterprises;
• Support for diversified, locally-based economies;
• Prioritization of equitable engagement and empowerment of underrepresented and marginalized communities.  

For more information, please contact:

Kati Gallagher, Sustainable Communities Program Director, at kgallagher@vnrc.org