The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is accepting entries through April 6 for the 10th annual National Award for Smart Growth Achievement, which recognizes and supports communities that use innovative policies and strategies in ways that bring benefits to a wide range of residents and protect the environment.

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 public transit, which reduces emissions from automobiles; promoting brownfield redevelopment; and reducing impervious surfaces, which improves water quality.

The award competition is open to public- and private-sector entities that have successfully used smart growth principles to improve communities environmentally, socially, and economically, but all applications must include a public-sector partner. Applications for public-nonprofit activities are welcome but must be submitted by the public-sector participant.

Winners will be recognized at a ceremony in Washington, DC, in December 2011.

The four award categories are Programs, Policies, and Regulations, particularly actions that remove barriers to or provide incentives for smart growth; Smart Growth and Green Building, where projects may be single or multiple buildings; Civic Places, especially projects that create well-designed and vibrant public spaces; and Rural Smart Growth, with EPA interested in thriving rural areas that have used smart growth approaches to encourage economic development and job creation, improve transportation choices and housing options, and support the economic viability of working lands. Applicants may apply in only one category for a given project; an "Overall Excellence" winner will be chosen from the four categories by the review panels; and significant activity must have occurred in the project or program between April 6, 2006, and April 6, 2011.

To download the official award guidelines and entry form click here. EPA will post an updated entry form in March with information on where to send the applications.