Coastal Living recognizes the importance of conserving America's coasts and enhancing their appeal as a destination by protecting their natural assets, including wildlife, natural beauty, and cultural heritage.

To encourage projects that protect and enhance the natural and historic character of coastal areas, we annually select top achievers to receive our Coastal Living Awards. Awards will be based on specified criteria and will be announced to winners by telephone or mail. Award winners will be featured in a 2009 Coastal Living issue. Also, our editors will review all entries to look for editorial leads and innovative programs for future stories.

The categories for the 2009 contest are:

Sea and Shore Preservation
Person or organization committed to protecting and maintaining the health of coastal waters and shorelines

Education
Individual or organization that best teaches the public about the importance of coastal preservation

Community Development
Responsible residential community with design standards based on sound ecological and growth-management planning

Leadership
Individual or organization that actively pursues and promotes preservation of the land

Design
Residential or commercial property respectful of its sense of place

Tourism
Destination that responsibly preserves both cultural and natural resources

Eligibility: Who Can Enter?
Entry is open to residential and commercial properties, townships and municipalities, resorts, and any organization, individual, or program whose primary work is focused on the North American, Caribbean, and Mexican coastlines. Entries may be submitted by individuals; architects; builders; developers; local, county, or state governments; land planners; tourism managers; or any organization servicing these fields.

Construction involving residential and commercial developments or municipal planning must be substantially under way at the time of entry. Construction programs still in their early planning stages will not be considered. Properties of Time Warner and its subsidiaries are not eligible.

Entry Requirements: How to apply?
All entries must be submitted in a three-ring, 9- by 12-inch binder. All materials must fit within an 8 ½- by 11-inch page format. Projects submitted in more than one category require separate binders for each category. Send binders to:
Jacquelyne Froeber
Coastal Living Awards
2100 Lakeshore Drive
Birmingham, Alabama 35209.

Coastal Living will not return entries and assumes no liability for loss or damage.

Entry binders must include the following materials in the order specified:

1. Completed Entry Form—photocopies will be accepted. Download entry form in pdf format. Entries must include a signed publication and copyright permission form. There is no limit to the number of entries. You also can receive an entry form by writing or e-mailing Jacquelyne Froeber, , Coastal Living, 2100 Lakeshore Drive, Birmingham, AL 35209. E-mail jacquelyne_froeber@timeinc.com.

2. Description of Entry—A typed, double-spaced explanation of the project, including statement of purpose, problems and criteria, and special considerations. (Limit: 250 words.)

3. Site Plans—if applicable. (Limit: two pages.)

4. Additional Drawings—if applicable, descriptions optional. (Limit: four drawings.)

5. Photography—color prints or slides—must be placed in slots in an 8 ½- by 11-inch plastic sleeve. Each image must be numbered. Please include correspondingly numbered descriptions of each subject. (Limit: 12 images.)

A maximum of 20 pages, including entry form, photography, drawings, and all other materials, may be submitted for each entry. No rolled plans, brochures, posters, videos, or other materials outside of the format required will be accepted.

Judging
Coastal Living editors and consultants will evaluate and select award recipients. Coastal Living reserves the right to make multiple awards or to make no awards in any category. All decisions of the judges are final.