Nominations can be submitted online beginning Monday and ending Feb. 17.

The program, now in its 10th year, seeks to recognize individuals and groups outside of the U.S. EPA who made significant contributions to improve the environment in the year 2007. Anyone can be nominated, such as scientists, teachers, journalists, citizen activists, young people, organizations, business representatives, public officials and others committed to protecting public health and preserving our natural surroundings.

Entries will be judged on the following criteria:

i Promotion of innovative ideas, techniques, and/or technologies

i Ability to address an environmental problem or need

i Accomplishment of stated goals

i Ability of the program/activity to be replicated or widely shared

i Collaboration with others

i Clarity and effectiveness of the presentation

i Long-term benefits for the environment

The deadline to submit nomination forms online is Feb. 17. An EPA panel will review all of the applications and select this year's finalists, who will be notified by mid-March. Winners will then be recognized at a ceremony to be held in San Francisco mid-April.