The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) is accepting applications from Cook County individuals and organizations for its 2025 Sustainable Landscaping Awards until October 13. The awards recognize the activities and innovations from entities such as cities and villages, schools, houses of worship, businesses and others.

Qualifications for the Sustainable Landscaping award may be demonstrated through the innovative use of green infrastructure, capital investment (private and public), and public education.

Green infrastructure (GI) includes:

• Rainwater Harvesting, i.e. through rain barrels
• Rain Gardens
• Native Landscaping
• Stormwater Trees
• Porous Pavement
• Bioswales
• Green Roofs
• Greenways
• Wetlands
• Green Alleys, Streets and Parking Lots

Award categories include:

• Excellence in promoting Green Infrastructure to local residents
• Excellence in Green Infrastructure Partnership Program Maintenance
• Excellence in new Green Infrastructure Installation   

Awards will be presented at the MWRD’s 13th annual Sustainability Summit to be held at the Town of Cicero Community Center, 2250 S. 49th Avenue, Cicero, IL from 10 a.m. – noon. 

Apply for an award 

Register for the Summit 

For more information about the awards or Sustainability Summit, contact (312) 751-6633.