City Honors 2026 Live Green Award Winners

The City of Greensboro's Office of Sustainability & Resilience (OSR) honored outstanding community leaders, organizations, and City staff during the fourth annual Live Green Awards Program today, Friday, January 16, recognizing exceptional efforts to advance sustainability and resilience across Greensboro.

The Live Green Awards celebrate local organizations, businesses, and individuals who are making meaningful strides toward a more sustainable and resilient future for the community.

"Selecting winners for the Live Green Awards is never easy because the dedication and innovation shown through the nominations is truly inspiring," said OSR staff. "Each nominee and award recipient represents the power of collaboration and the positive impact sustainability-focused leadership has on Greensboro's quality of life."

This year marked a new chapter for the Live Green Awards, as the program was presented as a standalone event to allow for deeper recognition of award recipients and the vital work they do year-round.

2026 Live Green Award Winners

Energy Wise Award: Robert Powell

Energy Wise Award honors exceptional commitment to advancing renewable energy use, enhancing energy efficiency, reducing air pollutants, and implementing innovative energy practices.

Robert Powell has promoted environmental stewardship in Greensboro for nearly five decades through professional and volunteer service. His leadership in solar energy and sustainable architectural design has driven investment in Greensboro's green economy, improved housing conditions for low-income families, and supported workforce development by helping prepare the next generation of green energy professionals.

In Touch with Nature Award: Greensboro Downtown Greenway (Dabney Sanders)

The In Touch with Nature Award recognizes excellence in environmental stewardship through innovative practices in natural resource conservation, tree and land preservation, use of native plants, and sustainable landscaping.

Designed to be accessible, sustainable, and beneficial to all residents, the Greensboro Downtown Greenway serves residents across the community. In 2025 alone, the Greenway recorded more than 150,000 trail usage counts, hosted over 3,800 participants through programs and events, and partnered with 158 community organizations. The project incorporates solar-powered lighting, innovative stormwater treatment systems, pollinator gardens, and habitat areas that support biodiversity while reducing strain on city infrastructure.

Sustainability Champion Award (Tie): A Simple Gesture & Goodwill Industries of Central North Carolina

The Sustainability Champion Award recognizes outstanding businesses, individuals or community organizations that foster sustainability awareness, literacy, and action through partnerships with community stakeholders.

· A Simple Gesture addresses food waste and food insecurity by connecting surplus food from local businesses to community organizations and residents. Since 2015, the organization has redistributed more than 8 million meals in Greensboro, diverting food waste from landfills while ensuring neighbors have access to nutritious food. Its SHARE Program, in partnership with Guilford County Schools, ensures unopened food goes to students rather than landfills.

· Goodwill Industries of Central North Carolina demonstrates exceptional community impact through environmental sustainability initiatives that resulted in hundreds of workers being placed in competitive jobs. In the past year, Goodwill diverted more than 17.5 million pounds of unwanted material and e-waste from landfills, supporting a circular economy. Revenue from recycling and resale directly funded career development services for 2,696 local residents facing employment barriers.

Unity in Sustainability Award: Forge Greensboro (Tiffany Jacobs)

The Unity in Sustainability Award honors efforts that show outstanding commitment to resilience and community strength through sustainability. This award celebrates efforts that support marginalized communities and develop sustainable, socially just solutions to climate challenges.

Forge Greensboro provides access to tools, training, and technology that many Greensboro residents do not have. Through affordable membership and the Makership scholarship program, hands-on workshops, and emerging apprenticeship pathways, hundreds of individuals each year gain workforce ready skills, launch new businesses, earn income, and become part of a more equitable, sustainable, and resilient Greensboro. Forge Greensboro provides affordable access to tools and training that support economic mobility and empower residents to create their own opportunities.

Waste Not Award: Masey DeMoss & Ashley Robinson

The Waste Not Award recognizes excellence in recycling, composting, waste reduction, and sustainable materials management.

As educators with the City's Solid Waste & Recycling Department, Masey DeMoss and Ashley Robinson provide invaluable education and outreach that helps residents make informed environmental decisions. Their professionalism, effectiveness, and dedication have strengthened community understanding of recycling and waste reduction practices throughout Greensboro.

To learn more about the City of Greensboro's Office of Sustainability & Resilience and its programs, visit www.greensboro-nc.gov/OSR.