In honor of Arthur Gibb, the former legislator who dedicated much of his life to public service to ensure that Vermont is a better place for future generations, VNRC is accepting nominations for the 2025 Arthur Gibb Award for Sustainable Community Leadership!
We seek to honor an individual whose leadership has brought about positive and lasting change in the way that individual’s community integrates growth and conservation.
If you know a land use leader in Vermont who you want to recognize, we encourage you to submit a nomination by June 13, 2025
All nominees will be considered for the award based on qualities exemplified by Arthur Gibb, including their commitment to public service, leadership, vision, humility, creativity, balance and integrity.
Past award winners include:
- Jess Laporte, Co-Director of Community Resilience Organizations (CROs) and a foundational member of Seeding Power Vermont
- Darby Bradley, former President of the Vermont Land Trust and Chair of the Vermont Environmental Board under Governor Kunin
- Zoe Richards, Chair of the Burlington Conservation Board and Director of Burlington Wildways
- Nancy Patch, Franklin/Grand Isle County Forester for the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation
- Peter Gregory, Executive Director of the Two Rivers-Ottauquechee Regional Commission
- Madeleine Kunin, Former Governor of Vermont (1985-1991)
- Paul Costello, Executive Director of the Vermont Council on Rural Development
- Warren King, Life-long conservationist and community volunteer from Ripton
- Elisabeth Kulas, Executive Director and Project Developer at the Housing Trust of Rutland County
- Ellen Kahler, Executive Director of the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund
- Andrea Morgante, Community member and leader from Hinesburg
- Bob Klein, Former State Director of the Vermont Chapter of The Nature Conservancy
- John Ewing, Founder of the Vermont Forum on Sprawl (later renamed Smart Growth Vermont , which merged with VNRC in 2011)
- Gus Seelig, Executive Director of the Vermont Housing & Conservation Board
- Rob Woolmington, Attorney and activist from Bennington
- Paul Bruhn, Executive Director, Preservation Trust of Vermont
- Robert Lloyd, Planning Commission Chair, Tinmouth, Vermont
- Connie Snow, Executive Director, Windham and Windsor Housing Trust
The Arthur Gibb Award was established in 2006 by Smart Growth Vermont, which merged with VNRC in July 2011. VNRC is committed to continuing the important work of Smart Growth Vermont, including the tradition of celebrating Vermont’s land use leaders.
Please download the 2025 nomination form here. More information is available at www.vnrc.org/awards, but please contact Alex Connizzo (at aconnizzo@vnrc.org or 802-223-2328 x126) with any questions.