Application Information: 2008 Governor's Environmental and Economic Leadership Awards

The Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Award Program is the State of California’s highest environmental honor. The program recognizes individuals, organizations, and businesses that have demonstrated exceptional leadership and made notable, voluntary contributions in conserving California’s precious resources, protecting and enhancing our environment, building public-private partnerships and strengthening the State’s economy.

Who May Apply | Categories | Eligibility | Selection | How to Apply

Who May Apply

Competition is open to all California residents, businesses, nonprofit organizations, professional and trade associations, communities, state and local government entities, tribes, and federal agencies operating in California. Those who applied previously are welcome to apply again.

Award Categories

• Climate Change
  Innovative and forward thinking approaches that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the adverse effects of climate change on public health and our vast natural resources.
• Children’s Environmental Education
  Unique and exemplary educational programs and curricula that align with California’s academic
  content standards and raise children’s awareness of, and involvement in, environmental issues.
• Ecosystem And Watershed Stewardship
  Innovative and sustainable approaches to land and water management that restore or protect natural conditions, functions and processes, and provide economic, social and environmental benefits.
• Sustainable Practices or Facilities
  Pioneering efforts to integrate environmental values and conservation of natural resources into long-term decision making and management of businesses and facilities.
• Environmental and Economic Partnerships
  Efforts that foster unique, cooperative approaches between the private, public, and/or non-profit sectors to achieve demonstrable results in both environmental and economic improvement.
• Comprehensive Land Use Planning
  Demonstrates social equity and adequate housing; cost-effective infrastructure and transportation; water and energy efficiencies, and open space conservation to protect forests, agriculture, watersheds and other ecosystem values.
• Technological and Market Innovation
  Innovation in manufacturing or product marketing to cost-effectively improve environmental and public health, productivity and sustainability of forests, farms or other natural resource lands, and conservation of open space and agriculture.
• Sustainable Communities
  Exemplary project design or development of local communities and landscapes that makes efficient use of land, protects public health and safety, and conserves local watersheds, habitats and other sensitive lands.
• Enhanced Environmental and Economic Leadership New Category!
  Prior award recipients who have sustained exceptional leadership and can demonstrate significant and robust improvements in voluntary efforts recognized in previous years which conserve California’s precious resources, protect and enhance our environment and/or strengthen the economy

Eligibility

The awards will be presented for voluntary achievements undertaken or completed in 2007 or culminated during 2007. Competition is open to all California residents, businesses, non-profit organizations, professional and trade associations, communities, state and local governmental entities, and federal agencies operating in California. Projects are deemed ineligible if they are the result of mitigation, litigation, or required by legislation.

Selection

A Selection Committee will evaluate applications for strength in eight specific areas: Results, Transferability, Environmental Impact, Resource Conservation Impact, Economic Progress, Innovation/Uniqueness, Pollution Prevention, and Environmental Justice. These criteria will be considered in the competitive weighting of nominations and are described below. Evaluations will take into consideration differences in size, region, and scope of projects, as needed.

• Results: Steps taken to achieve results are described; results are defined in measurable terms; environmental and economic benefits are identified and documented.
• Transferability: Project can be readily transferred to other sectors; others can easily implement.
• Environmental/Resource Conservation Impact: Accomplishment includes more than one environmental media or resource; project or program has long lasting and sustainable impact; magnitude of impact is described and significant.
• Economic Progress: California’s economy is enhanced; measurable benefits are identified and realized; new/better jobs are created and new markets developed.
• Innovation/Uniqueness: Demonstrates basic practice to unique, innovative practice; a paradigm shift in approach; demonstrates a “pioneer” spirit; ahead of the marketplace and profitability.
• Pollution Prevention: Achieves measurable reductions in the generation of waste through source reduction; increased public-private awareness of pollution prevention; exemplifies best practices with a cross-media focus.
• Environmental Justice: Significantly raises the awareness and addresses environmental issues in vulnerable disadvantaged communities and or populations; raises the involvement of local/grassroots communities in the project or program; builds community leadership/stewardship to address environmental issues.

The deliberative process of the Selection Committee is confidential and all decisions are final subject to applicable California state law. A nomination may be considered in a category different from that in which it is nominated.

How to Apply

Anyone wishing to apply for, or nominate an individual, organization, or business, for a 2008 Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Award must complete an application. Application deadline extended to May 30, 2008, 5:00 P.M.

• Download Information & Application (PDF | MS Word)

Winners will be notified by October 1, 2008

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