2021 Award Winners

The winners of the 2021 Western Planner Awards were announced and awarded during the Western States Conference in Scottsdale, Arizona, August 22nd. A sincere congratulations to each of our award winners, for their efforts and achievements for planning in the West.

Planner of the Year Award
Tyler Sinclair—Jackson, Wyoming

Rural Innovation Award
St. George, Alaska and Ecoplan International, for The Project, Rebuilding Our Future - Kayutuuxtxin Tanagnangin Igayuusalix Angaglimchin Agnaxtxichin

Sheldon Gerber Award for Excellence in Environmental Planning
CarlyAnn Carruthers—Wyoming State Parks, for The Sinks Canyon Master Plan



Student Planning Project of the Year
Northern Arizona University Planning Students for The Meadows Affordable Housing

Runner-up: Chelsea Gieryic and Ali Pfenninger, University of Colorado, Denver for Envisioning an Alternative Future for Valmont Power Plant

Citizen Planner Award
Rocky Schneider—Fargo, North Dakota


Kenneth G. Waido Planning Team of the Year Award
Bernalillo County, Tiny Home Village Project Team

Stan Steadman Article of the Year Award
Cole Grisham, AICP for the article: Five Planning Ideas For The Oregon Coast Trail


President’s Award
John Day Innovation Gateway Integrated Planning Team

Lester Award
Angela Parker, AICP for having been booted in the past, but still being the sole of Western Planner

Paul Moberly