These might be of interest to AAO members.  Check out the links for more detail.

                                      National Award for Smart Growth Achievement    

Through the National Award for Smart Growth Achievement, the Environmental Protection Agency seeks to recognize and support public entities (from cities to state governments and the many types of public entities in-between) that promote and achieve smart growth, while at the same time bringing about direct and indirect environmental benefits.

Smart growth development practices support national environmental goals by preserving open spaces and parkland and protecting critical habitat; improving transportation choices, including walking, bicycling, and transit, which reduces emissions from automobiles; promoting brownfield redevelopment; and reducing impervious surfaces, which improves water quality.

Applications are now being accepted for the 2010 National Award for Smart Growth Achievement. This competition is open to public- and private-sector entities that have successfully used smart growth principles to improve communities environmentally, socially, and economically. The application period is open from February 8, 2010 to April 5, 2010. Up to five awards will be given in the following categories:

    * Programs, Policies, and Regulations
    * Smart Growth and Green Building
    * Civic Places
    * Rural Smart Growth
    * Overall Excellence

Eligible candidates are invited to submit an application for the 2010 National Award for Smart Growth Achievement.  If you have questions concerning the National Award for Smart Growth Achievement program, contact Abby Hall or call (202)566-2086, or visit the EPA online.

                                                      Problem Solvers Wanted
The challenge: design something that solves a problem

Young designers and engineers are brimming with creative ideas to change the world – it’s this ability to think differently that the James Dyson Award celebrates and encourages.

The James Dyson Award is an international design award that celebrates, encourages and inspires the next generation of design engineers. It’s run by the James Dyson Foundation, James Dyson’s charitable trust, as part of its mission to inspire young people about design engineering.

There will be one International Winner, and one National Winner in each country participating in the James Dyson Award 2010. Entry is open to product design, industrial design and engineering university level students (or graduates within 4 years of graduation) who have studied in the following countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Russia, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, UK and USA.

Read more about the James Dyson Award online.