The Western Riverside Council of Governments (WRCOG) has been named one of twenty finalists for the prestigious 2025 All-America City Award, presented by the National Civic League. The recognition highlights WRCOG’s commitment to inclusive engagement and environmental sustainability across the subregion’s 18 cities, the County of Riverside and several special districts.
This year’s award theme—“Strengthening Environmental Sustainability through Inclusive Community Engagement”—resonates deeply with WRCOG’s mission and programs, including its leadership in energy efficiency, food recovery, education through fellowship, habitat preservation and conservation and regional collaboration. WRCOG’s application emphasized grassroots involvement, local partnerships and real outcomes for residents, particularly in underserved communities.
“WRCOG’s strength has always come from our ability to unite cities and communities around a shared vision for a better future,” said WRCOG Executive Director Dr. Kurt Wilson. “This recognition is a testament to the power of collaboration. We’re honored to represent the Western Riverside region as a finalist.”
WRCOG joins a distinguished group of finalists from across the country who were selected through a competitive process based on criteria such as civic engagement, innovation, equity and measurable impact. The 2025 finalists span 12 states and include cities large and small, each demonstrating how collaboration leads to lasting solutions.
“Communities thrive when all residents have a voice in the policies and decisions that shape their lives,” said Doug Linkhart, President of the National Civic League. “This year’s finalists are leading the way by removing barriers to participation and implementing programs that foster sustainability, resilience and inclusive engagement.”
Finalists will convene in Denver, Colorado, from June 27–29 for the All-America City Award event. Teams—including residents, nonprofits, youth, business leaders and government officials—will present their stories to a panel of national judges. The event also features peer learning workshops and panel discussions focused on civic innovation and sustainable solutions. Winners will be announced at the closing ceremony.
To learn more about the All America City Award visit: https://www.nationalcivicleague.org/america-city-award/.
About WRCOG
WRCOG is a Joint Powers Authority, consisting of the County of Riverside, 18 cities, two regional water districts and the Riverside County Superintendent of Schools. Its actions and activities are guided by its members. Recognizing that issues related to growth are not constrained by city or county boundaries, WRCOG focuses on a number of regional matters important to the future of Western Riverside County. By working together through its committee structure and utilizing existing resources, WRCOG is cost-effective by reducing duplication of effort and sharing information, enabling strong advocacy and strengthening Western Riverside County’s standing in southern California and the state. WRCOG’s program areas are varied and range from transportation to air quality, solid waste, environment, energy, resiliency, sustainability and growth. For more information about WRCOG please visit http://www.wrcog.us/.