Each year, Polco is proud to celebrate local governments with the Best in Governance Awards — the nation's only awards program honoring communities for both resident experience and measurable outcomes. These awards shine a light on the jurisdictions that stand out as the most effective, innovative, and community-centered across the country, as measured through national data.
We're continuing our series recognizing the Top Performers across essential areas of community livability. Today, we're spotlighting the Natural Environment category.
About the Natural Environment Category
The natural environment is the backdrop of daily life — shaping health, recreation, safety, and community well-being. Clean air, safe water, preserved open spaces, and resilient landscapes are not just amenities; they are essential for thriving communities. As climate risks grow and development intensifies, the ability of local governments to protect and enhance their natural environment has become one of the most defining measures of leadership.
The Best in Governance Awards celebrate communities that are excelling in these vital areas of livability. Based on extensive, high-quality data from the National Community Survey (The NCS) and national indicators from Polco's Government Performance Action Lab (GPAL), the awards highlight the communities that stand out as the highest scorers in environmental quality as well as those demonstrating transformational progress in resilience and sustainability.
Because Natural Environment is measured through both lenses, this year's honorees are recognized across three groups: Community Impact — Excellence highlights the top performers on measurable, public-data outcomes; Voice of the People — Excellence recognizes the communities with the highest resident ratings nationwide; and Voice of the People — Transformation celebrates those that achieved the biggest improvements in resident ratings over time.
2026 Top Performers: Natural Environment
Community Impact — Excellence
- City of Bellingham, Washington
- Houghton County, Michigan
- City and Borough of Juneau, Alaska
Voice of the People — Excellence
- City of Golden, Colorado
- City of Gulf Breeze, Florida
- Town of Jupiter, Florida
- City of Shoreview, Minnesota
- Town of Telluride, Colorado
Voice of the People — Transformation
- City of Bozeman, Montana
- Gunnison County, Colorado
- City of Shakopee, Minnesota
- City of South Lake Tahoe, California
- City of Staunton, Virginia
What's Next
The communities recognized as Top Performers represent the very best in protecting and enhancing the natural world that daily life depends on. The National Champions in each category will be announced in October.
Congratulations to all of this year's Top Performers. We're honored to showcase your leadership in building stronger, smarter, and more connected communities. Visit our awards page for more information about Polco's Best in Governance Awards.
