Sustain the Rock Awards

The annual Sustain the Rock Awards recognize businesses, non-profits, individuals and other groups who have made significant contributions to a more sustainable Little Rock. They contribute to a more sustainable city by embracing and promoting an approach to business and daily living that balances environmental responsibility, economic prosperity, and social equity. 

 

Qualifications: Nominees must live or have their principle place of business in the City of Little Rock. Self-nominations are accepted. Past winners do not qualify. To see all past winners click our winner’s list below. 

Selection Process: The Little Rock Sustainability Commission serves as the selection committee. Winners will be notified at the end of April 2025 and receive their awards in May 2025 at the annual award event.

Nomination Procedure: Fill out and submit this nomination form to the City of Little Rock Sustainability Office. If you have any questions or issues submitting your form, please call our office at 501-371-4586. Nominations are currently closed.

 

The Sustain the Rock Award was designed and produced by Little Rock sculptor Michael Warrick, a 2020 Arkansas Arts Council Living Treasure.

 

PAST WINNERS LIST

SUSTAIN THE ROCK AWARD FACT SHEET

Nomination Form (CLOSED - REOPENING IN 2026)

2025 Sustain the Rock Award Winners

Ann Owen, Individual

Dog Eat Dog Collective, Small Business

Maddie Long, Grants Department, City of Little Rock

Darius Austin, RYL Outreach Group, Nonprofit Organization

Little Rock Community Solar Partners, Small Business

Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts, Nonprofit Organization

 

 

 

Ann Owen & family

Dog Eat Dog Collective

Maddie Long & family

Darius Austin & family

Little Rock Community Solar Partners

Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts

 

Ann Owen has been walking the walk on sustainability long before most of us knew the word. From her early work with the Youth Conservation Corps to her professional roles in recycling, conservation education, and nonprofit outreach, Ann has made environmental stewardship a core part of her life. She and her husband built a LEED Platinum-certified home powered by solar panels that fuel both their house and electric vehicles. Ann also lives her values every day by choosing a vegan lifestyle—for her health, the planet, and future generations. She helped start and lead the Environmental Stewardship group at Second Presbyterian Church, helping the congregation install solar, adopt streets and parks, and host public EV events. She’s worked in conservation education, served on the Little Rock Sustainability Commission, and helped lead projects with groups like the Sierra Club, Ozark Society, and Master Naturalists. From cleaning up trails and roadsides to mentoring youth and organizing waste-free community festivals, Ann’s impact is everywhere.

 

Dog Eat Dog Collective is flipping the script on fast fashion. As a small business built around sustainability, they specialize in recycled, upcycled, and secondhand goods that are as stylish as they are eco-friendly. By limiting the use of plastic and synthetic fibers, promoting vintage items, and showcasing local artists who work with sustainable materials, they’re helping shift consumer habits in a greener direction. And they don’t stop there – Dog Eat Dog has also planted over 500 trees through a partnership with the Sprout app, proving that small businesses can make a big environmental impact. They’re not just talking about sustainability – they’re living it.

 

Maddie Long, through her incredible talent in grant writing, program development, and strategic funding initiatives, has helped the City secure critical financial resources that power some of its most impactful sustainability efforts. Her work has led to projects that promote environmental stewardship, improve stormwater management, reduce urban heat islands, and enhance public spaces with environmentally friendly solutions. She’s also helped fund energy-efficient municipal buildings, renewable energy initiatives, and sustainable transportation solutions like EV charging stations, bike lanes, and pedestrian infrastructure. Maddie doesn’t just secure resources – she builds bridges. By working closely with city departments, she ensures that sustainability goals are aligned with funding opportunities and turned into real, lasting change. Her impact is felt across Little Rock – from trees planted and solar panels installed, to safer, greener streets for everyone.

 

Darius Austin is the kind of leader whose impact you can see and feel across Little Rock. As the founder of RYL Outreach Group—Raise Your Limits—Darius has dedicated himself to empowering youth, building stronger communities, and leading through action. Whether it’s organizing back-to-school drives, hosting clean-up days, mentoring students, or offering motivational talks, Darius pours his energy into helping others succeed. Even with limited resources, his impact has been enormous. You could say Darius has raised that limit, too! His work doesn’t just uplift countless individuals – it strengthens neighborhoods, promotes equity, and inspires people to do better – together. Recognized by many as a role model, a mentor, and a beacon of hope, Darius is showing what it means to lead with heart, purpose, and an unwavering commitment to service.

 

Little Rock Community Solar Partners are a brilliant model of innovation in action. This groundbreaking, market-based project brings renewable energy to small businesses and organizations that otherwise wouldn't have the space or resources to go solar on their own. With a shared solar farm just 10 miles south of downtown, six local partners—including Community Bakery, Loblolly Creamery, The Root Café, Christ Episcopal Church, and two residences—now receive up to 100% of their electricity from clean, solar power. What started with one bakery’s rooftop challenge has grown into a collaborative solution that's reducing carbon emissions, cutting utility costs, and showing how sustainability and small business can go hand in hand. Thanks to the vision and dedication of this partnership, over 1,000 megawatt-hours of renewable energy have already been generated. Their collaboration demonstrates how community-driven innovation can create a more sustainable future. It’s not just solar—it’s solidarity in action.

 

Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts isn’t just a cultural gem—it’s a shining example of how sustainability and design can work hand in hand. From bioswales that naturally filter rainwater and protect our waterways to a thoughtfully landscaped campus filled with native plants, AMFA has woven environmental stewardship into every part of its design. Their partnership with SCAPE, a firm known for climate-conscious landscape architecture, helped create outdoor spaces that are both functional and beautiful. These sustainable design choices support local biodiversity and reduce runoff – contributing to a greener, more climate-resilient Little Rock. By integrating sustainability into everything from its architecture and landscaping to its community programming and engagement, AMFA is helping shape a more thoughtful, resilient, and eco-conscious future for our city.