The Maryland Department of Planning is accepting applications for its Sustainable Growth Awards to celebrate significant achievements by individuals, businesses, organizations, or local governments to realize the 12 planning visions adopted by the Maryland General Assembly in 2009.
Donor Name: Maryland Department of Planning
State: Maryland
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Award
Deadline: 07/21/2023
Details:
The annual awards promote exemplary work that represents or inspires collaboration, innovation, conservation, community impact, and quality of life.
The annual awards are presented by the Maryland Department of Planning (MDP) and are the highest level of recognition for smart growth and sustainability in the state. MDP is seeking nominations from all parts of the state for the people, projects, organizations, and communities that have advanced innovative policies in furthering the 12 Visions.
The Growth Award Categories
Leadership and Service
- Awards presented for leadership and service recognize individuals, organizations, agencies, and institutions, as well as students, for laudable activities or accomplishments in Maryland that advance the public’s appreciation, understanding and/or involvement in promoting smart growth and sustainable communities at the local, regional, or state level. The activity or service can be related to a specific project or advocacy effort or recognize leadership or involvement with one or more activities or organizations over time. Examples of nominees might include elected officials, local government staff, or nonprofit organizations, and members of the local business community. The activity or service must have been completed within the last two years or be ongoing. Nominations will be evaluated based on an individual’s and/or organization’s contributions to significantly advance the public’s appreciation, understanding and/or involvement in smart and sustainable growth, or preservation and resource protection in Maryland.
Sustainable Communities
- Awards presented for sustainable communities recognize outstanding achievements by individuals, organizations, government agencies, and other entities for projects and activities of all sizes, scopes, and on all types of properties. The project/activity submitted embodies, results in, or encourages development that addresses at least one of the 12 Visions.
- Successful nominations should address several of smart growth principles rather than just one. All nominated projects must have been completed within the last two years. MDP will evaluate nominations in two broad groups – public projects and programs, and private development projects.
Nominations will be evaluated to the extent a project is:
- Effective – What are project goals and is there tangible evidence of success?
- Collaborative – What public outreach and community involvement has occurred and how did it influence the project?
- Innovative – Does the project or activity take a new approach or present new ideas for others to apply elsewhere?
- Responsive to environmental and community Impact – Does the project or activity improve the environment or the quality of life in the community?
Preservation/Conservation
Preservation/Conservation Project awards are presented to individuals, organizations, government agencies, and other entities for their accomplishments in protecting or improving farms, forests, natural resources, and the waters of Maryland. This award recognizes outstanding efforts to:
- Save Maryland’s farm and forest lands, promote environmentally sound farming practices, and support a sustainable future for farming;
- Promote habitat management and wildlife conservation; and
- Protect the environment and advance conservation practices.
All nominated projects must have been completed within the last two years. Nominations will be evaluated based on the extent to which the project:
- Directly or indirectly benefits agricultural preservation, wildlife, natural resource conservation, or environmental protection;
- Collaboratively involves public and private organizations; and
- Serves as an example/inspiration to others.
Eligibility Criteria
- Individuals (including students), nonprofit and for-profit organizations or institutions and federal, state and local agencies are eligible to apply for a Maryland Sustainable Growth Award.
- Current MDP staff and projects solely sponsored by MDP are not eligible.
- Self-nominations are accepted.
For more information, visit MDP.
