NEWS FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 21, 2006
Contact: Diane Brossart
Valley Forward Association
(602) 240-2408

VALLEY FORWARD SEEKS ENTRIES FOR 26TH ANNUAL
ENVIRONMENTAL EXCELLENCE AWARDS PROGRAM

PHOENIX (June 21, 2006) – Valley Forward Association (VFA) announced today that it is accepting nominations for its 26th annual Environmental Excellence Awards program, Arizona’s oldest and largest competition of its kind. The event is presented in partnership with SRP and recognizes significant contributions to the environment in 22 categories.

Nominations will be accepted through 4 p.m., Friday, July 28 in the following categories:

Nomination forms are available by calling (602) 240-2408 and are available on VFA’s web site at www.valleyforward.org.

Recipients will be announced at Valley Forward’s Environmental Excellence Awards banquet on October 13, 2006 at the Phoenix Convention Center. More than 600 business and civic leaders throughout the state are expected to attend.

"This program is like the Academy Awards of the environmental community," said Diane Brossart, president of Valley Forward. "It sets standards for the exceptional physical, technical and social development in our metropolitan area. This is more important now than ever, as we are continuing to experience record growth."

First-place winners in each of the 22 categories will receive the handcrafted, sand-etched glass Crescordia award, named for the Greek term, "To Grow in Harmony." Valley Forward will also confer its most prestigious honor, the President’s Award, on an individual or organization that has had an exceptional impact on the environmental quality of the Valley. In addition, a maximum of two awards of merit per category may be presented.

Valley Forward’s Environmental Excellence Awards are highly sought by companies both large and small, government agencies, cities and towns, design professionals, educators, media representatives, artists, technicians and others.

Winners will be notified prior to the banquet; however, specific awards will not be announced until that evening. All finalists will be asked to prepare a presentation board featuring their project, which will be displayed at the awards banquet and included in a one-year museum-quality traveling exhibit.

Now in its 36th year, Valley Forward brings business and civic leaders together to convene thoughtful public dialogue on regional issues and to promote cooperative efforts to improve the environment and livability of Valley communities.