Program Criteria
Applications will be judged on the overall creativity, design, and environmental impacts of projects. 
These criteria are intended to serve as guidelines only. It is not necessary to meet all the criteria as not all categories will apply to some projects.
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Site Inventory & Development Plan
—Site evaluation (soils, drainage, wildlife, vegetation, etc.)
—Preservation of natural features, open spaces and habitat
—Establishment of neighborhood connectivity -
Water Quality Protection
—Erosion control and sediment reduction
—Innovative stormwater management
—Surface and groundwater protection
—Floodplain, wetland and riparian preservation and/or restoration -
Green Building
—Choice of construction and building materials and methods
—Preservation of natural features during construction
—Energy efficiency and water conservation -
Wetland Riparian Preservation/Restoration
—Protection of existing wetlands
—Enhancement of riparian buffers
—Preservation of existing topography and natural features -
Habitat Protection/Improvement
—Protection and/or restoration of native plant and animal communities
—Wildlife management efforts
—Preservation of open space and wildlife corridors -
Vegetation Protection/Enhancement
—Utilization of native vegetation in landscaping plan
—Eradication of invasive exotic plant species
—Preservation and management of existing trees -
Natural Project Amenities
—Integration of development with the natural landscape
—Protection of outstanding landscape views
—Neighborhood-enhancing recreation areas -
Long-term Management and Maintenance
—Long-term resource protection through conservation easements
—Identification of funding source and organization to implement the conservation management plan
—Pet management and homeowner education -
Community Outreach/Education
—Public education on natural features and/or processes present on the site
—Publicity, marketing campaign, and community outreach on the environmental benefits (open space, wildlife habitat, water quality) of the development
—General public education of financial and quality of life benefits of low impact development -
Re-use/Revitalization of Existing Site
—Environmental assessment of natural systems and/or environmental issues
—Creative re-use of existing site
Innovative approach to revitalization of an existing site or facility
For a more detailed description of these criteria and guidelines — in addition to the 2010 Application — you are encouraged to download the following documents:
If you are interested in applying to the Program prior to reviewing the criteria — and need additional information, please contact us.
Program Requirements
An independent Selection Committee, made up of recognized experts in 
applicable fields, will review the applications. Projects may be determined worthy of “Outstanding Stewardship” or “Significant Achievement” awards. The sponsoring agencies will appoint professionals to serve as members of this independent Selection Committee.
- The project must be located in New Hanover, Brunswick, or Pender Counties.
- The project must be in compliance with or exceed all applicable local, state, and federal regulations.
- The participating developer/owner must allow visits to site by the Selection Committee and provide additional information as requested for evaluating the project.
- If a project is awarded, it is subject to future periodic evaluation by the Selection Committee.
- The Selection Committee, at its sole discretion, reserves the right to revoke recognition for failure to comply with program requirements or criteria.
For a more detailed description of these criteria and guidelines — in addition to the 2010 Application — you are encouraged to download the following documents:
If you are interested in applying to the Program prior to reviewing the criteria — and need additional information, please contact us.
Application Deadlines: Important Dates
A record number of applicants submitted projects for review in 2009, 
requiring two panels of judges to keep up with all the evaluations. Even more importantly and more telling, however, was the quality of the applications and the obvious level of serious thought and meaningful presentations from the applicants indicative of how serious they are taking the program.
Applications are accepted at anytime throughout the year, however each year's award deadline is in the month of July. If interested in applying, you may go directly to the 2010 Application to download the necessary information.
July 30, 2010 — Application Deadline
September through October — Project Presentations
December, 2010 — Awards Recognition