BY SHELBY TUTTLE

Arizona Forward, the state’s leading sustainability nonprofit, hosted its 43rd annual Environmental Excellence Awards on March 8, celebrating impactful environmental and economic contributions across Arizona. The prestigious event, presented by SRP and held at the Westin Kierland Resort, convened over 500 business leaders, elected officials,
and community members to recognize groundbreaking sustainability initiatives.

The evening showcased 49 nominated projects, highlighting the state’s innovative approaches to environmental stewardship. The highest honor, the President’s Award, was bestowed upon the Improving Riparian Habitat on the Wild and Scenic Fossil Creek project, submitted by Friends of the Verde River and lauded for its positive collaborative impact on Arizona’s environment.

Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs presented the Governor’s Award for Arizona’s Future to the Regional Strategic Transportation Infrastructure Plan by the Maricopa Association of Governments, recognizing its innovation, leadership, and measurable environmental impact.

The 2025 awards spanned a diverse range of categories, recognizing exceptional projects in areas such as Climate Action Solutions, Healthy Communities, Art in Public Spaces, Circular Economy Solutions, Technology Innovation, Site Development, Environmental Education & Communication, Natural Environment Preservation, and Buildings, Structures & Landscape Design. A distinguished panel of 12 judges, led by Tammy McLeod of the Flinn Foundation, meticulously selected the winners.

“The Environmental Excellence Awards have long been a symbol of Arizona’s commitment to sustainability,” said Lori Singleton, President and CEO of Arizona Forward. “Each year, we continue to be inspired by the remarkable projects that push the boundaries of what’s possible in environmental stewardship and community impact.” A complete list of winners and project summaries is available at www.arizonaforward.org.