City of Austin Environmental Awareness Awards
DON'T MISS THE DEADLINE to apply for the Environmental Awareness Awards.
All applications must be received by March 1, 2010.
The goal of the City of Austin Environmental Awareness Awards is to recognize the efforts of individuals and groups that are making significant contributions to the protection and enhancement of our environment. Applicants will need to complete this short application to nominate a candidate for the award. Apply now.
Eligibility
The City of Austin Environmental Awareness Awards Program is open to both public and private entities. Entries are limited to Travis, Williamson, Hays, Bastrop, and Caldwell Counties.
Entry Requirements
All applicants must submit an online application. In addition to the online form, applicants are encouraged to submit any supporting documentation such as photographs, written materials, press releases, development plans, or any other information that may assist program judges in making award decisions. Supplemental materials are limited to 4 pages maximum and should be emailed to climateprotection@austinenergy.com.
Please submit each entry under only one award category. If you are applying for more than one category, a separate form must be submitted for each category.
Environmental Awareness Awards Categories
An award will be presented for each category. Applicants will select the category that best applies to the project or program being proposed.
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| School or Educational Program | Raised awareness about environmental stewardship through educational activities. Includes youth, adults, schools, organizations and other groups. |
| Mayor's Individual Achievement | Provided visionary environmental leadership or personal action in efforts to preserve or enhance our environment. |
| Large Business | Companies employing over 100 employees that implemented or maintained outstanding project(s) or activities to protect and enhance our physical environment. |
| Small Business | Companies independently owned and employing fewer than 100 employees that implemented or maintained outstanding project(s) or activities to protect and enhance our physical environment. |
| Community/Nonprofit | Non-governmental organizations that created and inspired community involvement and/or community ownership in order to protect and improve our physical environment. |
| City of Austin Department Programs | City of Austin Departmental Program that demonstrated environmental excellence in efforts to reduce the environmental impact of their business operations or to protect and enhance our physical environment (For example, there can be a nomination for the Power Saver Program, Green Building, and the Solar Program all within Austin Energy. The nomination does not have to be for the department as a whole, rather it can be for programs within the department). |
| Governmental Agency | Governmental Agency that implemented or maintained outstanding project(s) or activities to protect and enhance our physical environment. |
Judging and Award Criteria
Final selections will be made by the Judging committee comprised of one member of each participating board and commission, a representative from City Council, and one Austin Climate Protection Program staff member. Each judge will score all entries in the following categories. Each application will be ranked 1 – 5 based on how the application meets the requirements of that category. The application with the highest average score will receive the award for that category.
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Innovative | Does it contribute new information on how to improve the environment? Is it a new concept or process? Has it ever been executed successfully before? Is it a creative solution to a problem? |
| Beneficial | Does it make significant contribution to improve the environment? Does it reduce health risk or conserve resources? Does it reduce a large volume or significant percentage of air or water pollutants, solid waste, and energy resources? Is it self-sustaining or ongoing? Does it address other social or economic needs beyond environmental quality? Does it protect natural resources? |
| Measurable | Can we measure its contribution to environmental quality? Is the measurement specific? |
| Educational/Outreach | Does it promote public awareness or education? Does it include employee training or technology transfer? Does it include guidelines, brochures, or videos? Does it serve as a model for other efforts? Does the program reach a wide number of stakeholders? |
| Cooperative Effort | Does it involve a cooperative effort between multiple entities or organizations (government, industries, civic groups, schools, citizens, associations)? Has it significantly improved the quality of life for the larger community? |
| Greenhouse Gas Reduction | Is the reduction measurable? Will the activity reduce future emissions? Does it avoid the release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere or reduce the amount of greenhouse gases already present in the atmosphere? |
Presentation
Award recipients will be recognized at the Earth Day City Council meeting, April 2010. Awards are honorary and do not include monetary recognition.
Media Acknowledgement for Winners
- Media announcement
- Spotlight on access stations
- Bill insert announcement
- Channel 8 interview
Questions
For questions, please contact Pharr Andrews at pharr.andrews@austinenergy.com.
