News

Drumroll for the 2025 SustainPHL Award Recipients

Let’s sail-ebrate the latest changemakers who are moving the region towards a sustainable, equitable place.

Last evening was the 8th annual SustainPHL at the Independence Seaport Museum. We had an incredible group of nominees. Please read about their work in our digital program.

The finalists were voted on by our planning committee, last year’s award recipients, and local sustainability nonprofits.

TD Bank Sustainable Communities

These nominees expand access to sustainable solutions that strengthen and support Philadelphia communities.

Philly Food Rescue

Climate Hero

These nominees lead large-scale initiatives that transform how Philadelphians live, move, and care for the environment.

TreePhilly

Neighborhood Champs

These nominees create meaningful impact through hands-on neighborhood leadership and engagement.

Black Farmers Co-op of Philadelphia

Environmental Justice

These nominees advance equity by ensuring marginalized communities are empowered in sustainability efforts.

Pan-African Sisterhood Health Initiative (P.A.S.H.I.)

Activist of the Year

These nominees raise visibility and mobilize their communities around critical sustainability causes.

Clean Water Action

Impact Business of the Year

These nominees are for-profit enterprises driving social and environmental progress while supporting the local economy.

Triple Bottom Brewing

Vicinity #FuturePHL

These nominees are shaping the future of Philadelphia’s sustainability.

Office of Sustainability, City of Philadelphia

Sustainability Visionaries

These nominees redefine what’s possible in sustainability, paving the way for a resilient Philadelphia.

Jay Coen Gilbert & Bart Houlahan

Rising Tide Award

These nominees create new directions for sustainability, navigating challenges and opening doors for others to follow.

Tiffany Threadgould


Photos by BeauMonde Photography

Julie Hancher

Julie Hancher is the co-founder and Executive Director of Green Philly, an independent media organization making sustainability accessible, affordable and actionable. Since launching Green Philly in 2008, she has grown it from a passion project into a leading voice for local climate storytelling, pairing impactful journalism with community events and experiences. Julie is a frequent speaker on climate, media innovation and the future of local journalism, and is the creator of SustainPHL and EcoFair. Outside of Green Philly, you can find her hiking, biking, traveling, or exploring Philadelphia.

Recent Posts

Op-ed: Dinosaurs may be extinct. But the Academy of Natural Sciences doesn’t have to be.

The Academy of Natural Sciences survived for more than two centuries. Now, its future depends…

9 hours ago

Washington Avenue Connector, trash pickup contest, & more

Catch up on the latest sustainability news: New Washington Avenue Connector completed. The City of…

7 days ago

Meet 5 people building Philly’s green workforce

From a solar-powered shed in East Parkside to an orchard on State Road, these SustainPHL…

1 week ago

Enviro jobs & grants, & more

Catch up on the latest sustainability news: Parks and Rec expands environmental stewardship program. Philadelphia…

2 weeks ago

Meet 6 people making Philly greener, one neighborhood at a time.

(and they're all SustainPHL nominees!) From storm drains in Germantown to community gardens in Kensington,…

2 weeks ago

Vacant lot greening, A challenge to the school board, & more

Catch up on the latest sustainability news: Teens turn vacant lot into green space. Since…

3 weeks ago