Environmental Awareness Cirteria Resources as recommended by America in Bloom

American Public Transportation Association
www.apta.com
–Promotes public transit systems.  

Association of American Railroads
www.aar.org
-Promotes transportation by & safety of the railroads.

Earth Day Network
www.earthday.org
-Promoting environmental citizenship, year-round, worldwide.

Envirolink
www.environlink.org
-Database of thousands of environmental resources. 

 Environmental Guidelines for Responsible Lawn Care & Landscaping

www.epa.gov/pesticides/grants/lei/draft_guidelines.pdf 
- Draft of document that is being developed to educate homeowners about environmentally sound landscaping & lawn care principles. 

 EPA GreenScape Alliance
www.epa.gov/epaoswer/non-hw/green 
- EPA program that combines government & industry into a powerful, unified influence over the reduction, reuse & recycling of waste materials in large land-use applications. Also includes roadside landscaping, brownfield land revitalization, and the beautification & maintenance of office complexes, golf courses & parks. 

EPA Resources Conservation Challenge

www.epa.gov/epaoswer/osw/conserve/index.htm
-EPA initiative that identifies & uses innovative, flexible & protective ways to conserve natural resources & energy. 

 International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives
www.iclei.org
-Dedicated to helping local governments make improvements in environmental conditions. 

Humane Society
www.hsus.org 
-Programs for responsible animal control & environmental cleanliness, includes the Urban Wildlife Sanctuary Program. 

Organic Land Care Standards
www.nofamass.org/programs/landcare/index.php

LivCom Awards (formerly “Nations in Bloom”)
www.livcomawards.com
-International Awards for Liveable Communities, Environmentally Sustainable Project Awards, & Bursary Award. Endorsed by the United Nations. Non-political. Embraces all nations & cultures with the objective of improving the quality of life through the creation of “liveable communities”.

Living Green
http://www.daytondailynews.com/livinggreen

 Natural Resources Defense Council
www.nrdc.org
-Information on “Green Living”. Dedicated to protecting the planet’s wildlife & wild places and to a safe & healthy environment for all living things.

 National Fish & Wildlife Foundation
www.nfwf.org
-Grants of up to $5,000 for schools & organizations interested in initiating “Nature of Learning”, a community-based environmental education initiative that seeks to use national wildlife refuges as outdoor classrooms to promote local conservation issues & encourage interdisciplinary approaches to learning.

 Nuclear Energy Institute
www.nei.org
-Resource concerning power plants & their relationship to the environment.

 National Recycling Coalition
www.nrc-recycle.org
-NRC is the largest national nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement and improvement of recycling, waste prevention, composting, and reuse.

 PestFacts
www.pestfacts.org 
-Provides current & accurate information on issues, research, reporting & lobbying concerning pesticide & fertilizer use.

 Planet Ark
www.planetark.com
-Reuters Daily World Environment News. Articles related to the planet’s ecological situations. 

 RecycleBank
www.recyclebank.com
-Organization that gives cash rewards to businesses who recycle. 

 Rocky Mountain Institute
www.rmi.org
-Independent non-profit that fosters efficient & restorative use of resources that are sustainable & just. 

 Sierra Club
www.sierraclub.org
-Practice & promote the responsible use of the earth’s ecosystems & resources.

 Smart Communities Network
www.smartcommunities.ncat.org
-Supports economic development approaches that benefit the local environment & quality of life.

 Solid Waste Association of North America
www.swana.org
-Recycling. Solid waste & landfill management & programs.

 Smart Communities Network
www.smartcommunities.ncat.org
-Supports economic development approaches that benefit local environments & quality of life.

 U.S. Composting Council
www.compostingcouncil.org
-Dedicated to the development, expansion & promotion of the composting industry based upon science, principles of sustainability & economic viability.