2008 Keep Nebraska Beautiful Environmental Awards The awards will be based on all environmental projects completed between June 1, 2007 and May 31, 2008. Awards will be presented on July 10 in Nebraska City for 8 different categories. Download the 2008 Keep Nebraska Beautiful Environmental Awards application here.
Entry Procedure The application should cover activities from June 1, 2007 through May 31, 2008.
Step 1: Complete the Award Application Form. Please photocopy the application form. Use a separate application for each award category you are entering.*
Step 2: Prepare a Summary, responding to the questions contained in the "Writing Your Summary" section, do not exceed two double-sided pages (four sides). You are required to submit the original plus two copies of your Award Information Sheet and Summary.
Step 3: Further document your activities with up to four double-sided pages of supplemental materials. Supplemental Material can include press clips, brochures, photos, letters of endorsement, proclamations, etc. Please do not include bulky items such as T-shirts, etc.
Step 4: Place the Application Form, Summary, and up to four double-sided pages of documentation in a standard ring binder* and mail to:
Keep Nebraska Beautiful
3201 Pioneers Blvd., Suite 118
Lincoln, NE 68502-5963
*Separate binders must be used for each award category entered. This Application Form can be duplicated.
Judging of Entries An independent panel of judges will choose the winners. First Place, Second Place and an Award of Excellence will be awarded for each category. First and second place winners will receive plaques. Cash awards will be given to the First Place award winners in those categories so indicated.
Return of Entries Your award entry notebooks will be available for you to pick up immediately following the awards program. They can also be picked up at the Keep Nebraska Beautiful office in Lincoln any time following the Awards Luncheon on July 10, 2008. Include $5.00 with the entry if they are to be returned by mail.
Deadline All entries must be postmarked by June 6, 2008. Please call Keep Nebraska Beautiful at (402) 486-4562 if you have any questions.
Keep America Beautiful Awards It is our hope that the award winners will enter the Keep America Beautiful (KAB) National Awards program. KAB Awards are given at the KAB National Conference in Washington, D.C. in December. Contact Keep Nebraska Beautiful for details or check the Keep America Beautiful web site.
Important Note Every Nebraska community may enter the Deanie Anderson Community Environmental Award and the Great American CleanupTM Award, but are limited to entering only one of the other categories. In this way, we hope to recognize several different communities, individuals, groups, businesses and industries, etc.
Organizing Entries
Clear plastic sleeves inside the binder are an ideal way to display your summary and supplemental materials.
Include any supplemental materials and document the facts or statistics in your written summary.
Include any materials that demonstrate activity with your local KAB System affiliate.
Include any materials that demonstrate activity with local volunteers.
Include press clippings or other printed material about your program/project.
Include photographs, brochures or copies of any original material.
Writing Your Summary The following are guidelines to use for writing your summary. Type the name of your group, school, etc. in the top right-hand corner of the first page. Type your city on the second line and the category you are entering on a third line.
Outline your accomplishments using the guideline statements listed below. This is the most important part of your entry, and is read carefully by the judges. Summaries must be typed and answers must be numbered to match the guideline statements. Use no less than one-inch top, bottom and side margins on standard 8 1/2 x 11 inch paper with a type size no smaller than an 11-point font.
Background and Statement of Need: What was the motivation for your project/program? Was the Project/program originated by your group? If not, explain how you got involved.
Execution of Program: Describe your project/program. What activities were completed? Please indicate what part of the project/program you or your group were responsible for (i.e., recruited and trained all volunteers, obtained in-kind donations from local businesses, etc.) If you worked as a partner with other entities, please explain what you or your group's responsibility to the project/program was. If you are entering the business/industry category, indicate the number of employees.
Litter Prevention: If the project was a litter prevention activity, describe how it promoted litter prevention and reduction in your community by changing attitudes and behaviors. What kind of direct impact did your efforts have on preventing litter in your community?
Beautification and Community Improvement: If the project was a beautification and community improvement project, describe how your activities motivated the residents of your community and explain the sustainability of your activities. List your partners and describe their level of involvement in your activities.
Minimization of the Impact of Waste on Communities: If the project was a waste reduction, reuse or recycling activity, describe how it promoted responsible waste handling in your community. Include relevant statistics. List your partners and describe their level of involvement in your activities.
Budget, Impact and Community Involvement: What was your budget? Describe the volunteers, in-kind donations, number of volunteer hours or other goods and services you received from the community, businesses, schools, government resources, individuals, etc..
Results and Sustainability: What are the results and community benefits your program achieved? Describe how your program/project has engaged the residents, schools, neighborhoods, businesses and other community-based organizations in your efforts. Is this a continuing effort or does it dramatize the need for ongoing action?
Grow Big Red Show your Nebraska pride by planting red flowers this spring.
The Great American Cleanup TM Over two million volunteers across the U.S. will take part in the nation's largest organized litter cleanup program. Click here to find out how you can help in your community.
