Think you’ve got what it takes? Take action and promote change through conservation and design, express your vision of what is possible, and resolve as a researcher to make a difference and change the way others see sustainability and conservation.

Important: Please read these rules before entering the Competition.

1. Eligibility.To be eligible to win a prize, entries must be completed and received by Sponsor in the format designated below.
2. Disclaimer.Sponsor, all participating sponsors and any of their respective parent companies, subsidiaries, affiliates, directors, officers, professional advisors, employees and agencies will not be responsible for: (a) any late, lost, misrouted, garbled or distorted or damaged transmissions or entries; (b) telephone, electronic, hardware, software, network, Internet, or other computer- or communications-related malfunctions or failures; (c) any Competition disruptions, injuries, losses or damages caused by events beyond the control of Sponsor; or (d) any printing or typographical errors in any materials associated with the Competition.
3. Competition Period.The Competition period is open from 12:01 a.m. (all times Central Standard Time) on April 1, 2008 to 11:59 p.m. on August 15, 2008 (the “Deadline”). All entries must be received by the Deadline to be eligible to win a prize.
4. Prize awards in each of the three competition categories.
   1. Grand Prize: The grand prize winner will receive a $500 check.
   2. Second Place: The grand prize winner will receive a $300 check.
   3. Third Place: The grand prize winner will receive a $100 check.

   Odds of winning a prize depend on number of eligible entries received. ALL FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL TAXES ASSOCIATED WITH THE RECEIPT OR USE OF ANY PRIZES ARE THE SOLE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE WINNER.

   All prizes will be awarded. Prizes returned as undeliverable or otherwise not claimed within thirty (30) days after delivery of notification will be forfeited and awarded to an alternate winner. Prizes are not transferable. No substitutions or exchanges (including for cash) of any prizes will be permitted, except that Sponsor reserves the right to substitute a prize of equal or greater value for any prize. Limit one prize per household or address. All prizes are awarded “AS IS” and WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, express or implied, (including, without limitation, any implied warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose).

   In the event of a dispute about the identity of the entrant, entries made online will be declared made by the authorized account holder of the e-mail address submitted at time of entry. An authorized account holder is defined as the natural person who is assigned to an e-mail address by an Internet access provider, online service provider or other organization (e.g. business, educational institution, etc.) that is responsible for assigning e-mail addresses for the domain associated with the submitted e-mail address. The potential winner may be required to provide Sponsor with proof that the potential winner is the authorized account holder of the e-mail address associated with the winning entry.

5. How to Enter.To enter you must submit both an entry form, including an entry statement, and a visual communication item in combination. Using the dedicated space on the entry form, write an original statement including your project summary and how your proposed action plan and/or design solution, environmental expression, or research will build awareness about sustainability and address an environmental and/or socio-environmental problem under any of the three competition categories mentioned below. Visual communication of this idea must accompany your entry form statement and the two items will be judged as a collective entry. The entry can be submitted as an individual effort or a collaborative team endeavor. The Do You Dream in Green sponsors will accept multiple individual or team entries in all categories but each cannot win more than one award in each category.To enter, both your entry form and your visual communication should be submitted online using the competition link at www.plaingreen.org. On the competition webpage you will notice an Enter link that will send you to our competition registration page where you will initially register. After registering you will receive an email providing you with the entry form (in pdf and MS Word), a user name and password, and a link to our competition entry upload page. After entering your user name and password, and establishing your own new password, you’ll be able to browse for your competition files and upload your entry. Again, for an entry to be accepted it must include both an entry form, with statement, and a visual communication file(s).

   Entry Categories:

   • PLAIN ACTION – Design for a sustainable future
   • PLAIN EXPRESSION – Create a vision for new possibilities
   • PLAIN RESOLVE – Engage in research for a positive impact

   In addition to all the information included on the entry form, forms of visual communication must accompany your entry in all three competition categories. This might include digital jpeg images (10MB max each, 4 images max) of design ideas, artistic expressions, or research; power point slide shows or individual slides (10MB max) of research or a design process or idea; or an optional video should you choose to use it. Optional video must be no longer than three minutes in duration supporting the Statement in .avi, .mov, .wmv, .mpg, .mp4, or .flv formats; however, file size must not exceed 20MB.) All files (your entry form and visual communication file) should include your individual first name.last name or team name as the file name so separate files can be linked. All text associated with the Entry Statement must be written in English, and all requested information must be provided for your entry to be valid.

6. Competition Rules.Because of the expected volume of entries, entries will be reviewed continuously beginning on or about August 15, 2008, with judging concluding on or about September 10, 2008. On or before September 10, 2008, the winners will be selected by panels of judges appointed by the Plain Green 08 Conference Planning Committee. First, the panel of judges will independently select 20 potential winning entries in each category. Next, the panel of judges will select winning entries from these potential winning entries. Judges will determine, in their sole discretion, the winners. Entries will be judged on the following criteria:
   • The most apt, creative, original and interesting Entry Materials;
   • Entrant’s demonstrated personal connection with sustainability, positive environmental change, and/or raising environmental awareness;
   • Entrant’s actual or potential impact on sustainability, positive environmental change, and/or raising environmental awareness;
   • Treatment of the sustainability, positive environmental change, and/or raising environmental awareness theme(s).

   Judges reserve the right, in their sole and absolute discretion, to disqualify any entries and/or Entry Materials that are inappropriate for any reason, including without limitation for depicting or referencing sex, violence, or drugs/alcohol. Judges also reserve the right, in their sole and absolute discretion, to disqualify any entries and/or Entry Materials by entrants who/which discriminate based on age, sex, race, color, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability, or religion.

   Winners will be notified by phone and e-mail September 15, 2008. To claim a prize, winners should follow the instructions contained in their notification.

7. Original Work of Authorship.You hereby warrant and represent that (a) you own all rights to all Entry Materials submitted by you; and (b) all such Entry Materials are original works of authorship on your part and have not been copied, in whole or in part, from any other work and do not violate, misappropriate or infringe any copyright, trademark or other proprietary right of any other person or entity.
8. General Release.By entering the Competition, you release Sponsor, participating sponsors and any of their respective parent companies, subsidiaries, affiliates, directors, officers, employees and agencies (collectively, the “Released Parties”) from any liability whatsoever, and waive any and all causes of action, related to any claims, costs, injuries, losses, or damages of any kind arising out of or in connection with the Competition or delivery, misdelivery, acceptance, possession, use of or inability to use any prize (including, without limitation, claims, costs, injuries, losses and damages related to personal injuries, death, damage to or destruction of property, rights of publicity or privacy, defamation or portrayal in a false light, whether intentional or unintentional), whether under a theory of contract, tort (including negligence), warranty or other theory. In addition by entering the competition any submittal may used by the Plain Green 08 conference committee on the conference website and at the conference.
9. Use of Winner’s Name, Likeness, etc.Except where prohibited by law, entry into the Competition constitutes permission to use winners’ name, address, likeness and/or prize information, without limitation, for promotional purposes without further permission or compensation. As a condition of being awarded any prize, except where prohibited by law, winners may be required to execute a consent to the use of their name, address, likeness and/or prize information, without limitation, for promotional purposes without further permission or compensation.

PLAIN ACTION – Design for a sustainable future

To enter, submit original statement (no more than 200 words) and graphic communication of your idea about how your environmental action or design solution (engineering, interior, landscape, architectural, or environmental) will build awareness about sustainability and address an environmental and/or social problem. See specific entry details under the How to Enter section of the competition rules.

PLAIN EXPRESSION – Create a vision for new possibilities

To enter, create a creative, original work devoted to sustainability, positive environmental change, and/or raising environmental awareness in any one of the following categories: film, fine arts, performance, photography, creative writing, journalism, animation, and graphic design. Submit an image(s) or video depicting the work and description (200 words or fewer) of the work with your entry. See specific entry details under the How to Enter section of the competition rules.

1. Film: video footage or still frames with transitions.
2. Fine Arts: printmaking, painting, sculpture, and illustrations.
3. Performance: dance, theatrical, musical.
4. Photography: still photographs.
5. Creative Writing: poetry or short story of no more than 1000 words.
6. Journalism: written article or essay of no more than 1000 words.
7. Animation: digital animation.
8. Graphic Design

PLAIN RESOLVE – Engage in research for a positive impact

To enter, write an original statement (200 words or fewer) about how your environmental research or project will build awareness about sustainability and address an environmental and/or socio-environmental problem. In addition, graphic communication of the research idea is required. See specific entry details under the How to Enter section of the competition rules.