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2009 Conservation and Native Landscaping Award Application

NOMINATE A GREAT SITE! NOMINATE A GREAT PERSON!

Submission deadline: Friday, July 21, 2009

The Conservation and Native Landscaping Awards Program is sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Chicago Wilderness.   The goals of the awards program are to provide recognition for site and projects within the Chicago Wilderness region which are exemplary in terms of use of native landscaping; demonstrating the principles and best practices of conservation-style development; restoring ecosystems.  In addition we are providing recognition for individuals and organizations that make estimable contributions to conservation and biodiversity in the Chicago Wilderness region.

For the 2009 Program we will recognize four categories: Natural Landscaping, Ecological Restoration, Conservation Developments, and Leadership in Conservation. 

The on-line form, below, will serve as your application for the four categories. You may submit materials to supplement your application (e.g., site photos or drawings) via mail or e-mail.  Addresses are provided at the bottom of the page.

Contact Information
Please provide the following information for the person - or persons - that the Award Program should contact regarding the success of this site.

1. First Name:
2. Last Name:
3. Organization:
4. Site Owner:
(If different from contact, be sure to include both phone and e-mail address for the site owner.)
5. Address:
6. City:
7. State:
8. Zip:
9. Phone:
10. Fax:
11. E-mail Address:

Project Category
11. Is the site owner/steward: Local Government   
For Profit Corporation
Not-for-profit Corporation

Natural Landscaping (Answer questions 1-29)

Ecological Restoration (Answer questions 1-29)

Conservation Development and Sustainable Development  (Answer questions 1-37)

Leadership in Conservation
(for Leadership in Conservation applicants, please skip to question 38
(Skip to question 38.) 

Project Description
13. Please give a brief description (one or two paragraphs) of your native landscaping, ecological restoration project, or conservation development
14. Project name:
15. Location:
16. Project Size (acres, etc.):
17. Date started:
18. Please give a brief description of the site before you initiated this project.
19. What management activities occur here? (Examples: removal of invasive species, prescribed fire, census of nesting or migratory birds, etc.)
20. Please discuss how your maintenance activities at the site have changed (e.g. cost, person-hours, amount of pesticides/herbicides used, mowing, water use.)
21.  Where did you purchase the seeds and/or plants?
22. What proportion (%) of your landscape is native vegetation?
23. Does your project improve the stormwater management at your site?   Explain
24. Do you have an ecological management plan for this site? YES NO
25. How does the management of this site support the goals of the Chicago Wilderness Biodiversity Recovery Plan
Exit EPA Disclaimer.
26.  For ecological restoration sites, please describe the types of habitats being restored.  
27. For ecological restoration sites, please describe your reference ecosystem.
27 a.  Are there any threatened or endangered species effected by this project?  If so, please describe.
28. Does your site connect to larger areas of significant habitat? YES NO
28 a.  If yes, describe.
29. Additional Information (example: How is this site used as an educational tool, what are the future plans for the site, etc.):

For Conservation Development projects, please answer questions 30 – 37.  Please discuss how your site meets the "Sustainable Development Principles for Protecting Nature in the Chicago Wilderness Region."  http://www.chiwild.org/members/resources/design/designprinciples1.pdf
Exit EPA Disclaimer 
30. How does the project promote infill development and redevelopment where transportation facilities and utilities already exist?  Is the development compact and/or contiguous to existing community infrastructure?
31. In what ways does the development protect natural resources and habitat, and/or provide buffers to help protect sensitive natural areas?
32. As part of the project did you/will you enhance or restore a stream(s), wetlands or lake.  Please explain.

33. Does the development provide for the permanent preservation of open space?  Please explain.

34. How does the project recognize the value of water as a resource and manage it to protect downstream water bodies, reduce flooding, preserve groundwater resources, and/or maintain natural hydrology?

35. As part of the project did you/will you minimize changes to natural topography, soils, and/or vegetation?  Where sites have been previously altered, did you/will you seek to restore natural conditions to the extent possible?  Please explain.

36. What procedures have been put in place to assure maintenance of Best Management Practices and ongoing management of natural areas? 
37. What features of the development contribute to other aspects of sustainability, including the social and economic dimensions of sustainability?

Leadership in Conservation
 
Individuals can be nominated for an invaluable role on a particular site or project or initiative, or may be nominated for a "lifetime achievement" award.

Corporations can be nominated for supporting a valuable project or initiative, including staff time or other in-kind contributions.  

(Note:  We recommend that you write this information in a word processing software on your computer, and then cut and paste the information into this application.)

 Provide a description of the individual or corporation’s contributions to conservation and biodiversity in the Chicago Wilderness Region.  Describe how the work has furthered the mission of Chicago Wilderness and how the work relates to the goals of the Chicago Wilderness Biodiversity Recovery Plan.

If the nomination is for leadership on a specific project or initiative, please describe the project or initiative and the results/outcomes.

Be sure to explain how the surrounding community and biodiversity have benefited from the individual’s or corporation's contributions. 

Describe what makes the contributions of this person or corporation outstanding.

Be sure to include contact information for the individual or corporation nominated for this award.
38.    Please provide a maximum three-page summary addressing the points mentioned above
In order to keep a copy of your application, you need to print this page before submitting.

Pictures (especially digital), slides or videos are encouraged. Unless specifically requested, they will not be returned.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME!

Submit on-line application by Friday, July 21, 2009 to: Danielle Green green.danielle@epa.gov

Mailing address:
Danielle Green
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Great Lakes National Program Office
77 W. Jackson Blvd. (G-17J)
Chicago, IL 60604
Tel: (312) 886-7594

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