Hampton Honored by National Civic League for Community-Led Efforts Tackling Sea Level Rise
Innovative environmental projects help secure All-America City Award for fifth time
The City of Hampton has been named a 2025 All-America City by the National Civic League, marking the fifth time the coastal Virginia city has received the prestigious award. The announcement was made on June 30 during a ceremony in Denver, Colorado.
This year’s award theme—“Strengthening Environmental Sustainability through Inclusive Community Engagement”—highlighted the ways communities are addressing climate change by working collaboratively across sectors. Hampton stood out among 20 national finalists for its community-led response to sea level rise and environmental challenges.
Recognized for Resilience and Community Engagement
A delegation of Hampton leaders, residents, educators, and students—ranging in age from 13 to 85—presented a 10-minute showcase of the city’s initiatives. Their presentation highlighted a number of projects that illustrated Hampton’s commitment to environmental sustainability and civic collaboration. Judges praised the city for its “broad, innovative efforts to confront the challenges of sea level rise in a coastal community.”
Among the standout initiatives cited by the judging panel were:
The Hampton Clean City Commission (HCCC): Engages residents of all ages in cleanups, community gardens, and environmental education. Its programs, including the Adopt-A-Spot and Waterways Cleanup, focus on beautification, waste reduction, and coastal awareness.
The Phoebus Waterfront Park Living Shoreline Project: A collaborative shoreline restoration effort between residents, volunteers, and the city’s Public Works Department. The project aims to reduce erosion, create habitats for native species, and protect public spaces from climate impacts.
Aberdeen Gardens Resilience Plan: Supported by a $20 million EPA grant awarded in 2024, this initiative targets pollution reduction and flood mitigation in a historically significant Black neighborhood. The plan incorporates creek restoration, green infrastructure, community gardens, and workforce development—all guided by residents and local nonprofit Wetlands Watch.
City Manager Mary Bunting emphasized that the award “recognizes communities that genuinely commit to citizen engagement, collaboration, and co-creation,” adding that Hampton's long-standing leadership in these practices played a critical role in securing the award. Mayor Jimmy Gray echoed that sentiment, saying the honor “belongs to everyone who contributed to telling Hampton’s story.”
A Legacy of Civic Innovation
The All-America City Award, sponsored by the National Civic League since 1949, celebrates communities that tackle pressing local issues through innovation, inclusiveness, and resident-led collaboration. The selection process includes a detailed application, a finalist round featuring live presentations to a national jury, and community-wide participation.
Each year, only ten cities are selected for the award. Hampton previously earned the title in 1972, 2002, 2014, and most recently in 2023. Other cities recognized in 2025 include Kinston, Carrboro, and Jacksonville (North Carolina), Seattle (Washington), Akron (Ohio), Chelsea (Massachusetts), Memphis (Tennessee), and Tallahassee and Port St. Lucie (Florida).
Winners join a national network of All-America Cities and often benefit from increased economic opportunities, heightened visibility, and a renewed sense of civic pride. Hampton plans to host community events in the coming months to celebrate the recognition and honor those who contributed to the city’s award-winning work.
A Hampton Daily contributor produced this post with AI and the following sources:
For the fifth time, Hampton is an All-America City!
Hampton Clean City Commission
Phoebus Waterfront Park Living Shoreline Restoration project
City lands $20 million EPA grant for Aberdeen project
National Civic League - America City Award