Governor’s Community Achievement Awards
The 2021 GCAA application is now open!
Applications will be due on Thursday, March 4 at 5 p.m. CST. The Governor's Community Achievement Awards (GCAA) program is one of the most prestigious annual environmental awards in Texas. This year, ten winning communities will share $2 million in landscape awards from the Texas Department of Transportation for their outstanding overall efforts to keep their communities beautiful. Start your application, register for our upcoming webinars, and utilize our resources below.
The winners of the 2020 Governor's Community Achievement Awards are: South Padre Island, Weston Lakes, Lago Vista, Levelland, White Settlement, Alvin, The Colony, Harlingen, Tyler, and Grand Prairie.
For more than thirty years, Keep Texas Beautiful, in partnership with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), has awarded the prestigious Governor's Community Achievement Awards to Texas communities for their outstanding overall efforts to keep their communities beautiful.
This year, ten winning communities will share $2 million in landscaping awards from the Texas Department of Transportation, with the amount based on population size. The funds are used for landscaping projects along local rights-of-way. A community's environmental program is judged on achievements in seven areas:
- Community Leadership and Coordination
- Public Awareness and Outreach
- Environmental Education
- Beautification and Community Improvement
- Litter Prevention and Cleanup
- Solid Waste Management
- Litter Law and Illegal Dumping Enforcement
If you have any questions regarding this year's application, please reach out to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
GCAA Resources
Below are a variety of resources to help you prepare for your GCAA Application:
- 2021 GCAA Application Questions
- GCAA Abbreviations
- 2019 Population Data
- 2021 Community Windshield Survey
- New! Past GCAA Blogs
- VIDEO: How to Find Past GCAA Applications
- VIDEO: Troubleshooting GCAA Award Platform Issues
- Affiliate Only Forum with Staff and Previous Winners
Webinars
GCAA Webinar Series Part I: Tackling the Online Application (Recording)
In this webinar, you will learn the history of GCAA and KTB's role with the program, updates to the GCAA application due to COVID-19, and the ins and outs of applying using the online application. If your community is considering applying, this will be a great opportunity to learn more about the application process and get answers to any questions you may have.
GCAA Webinar Series Part II: Tips from Past Winners
Date: January 21
Time: 12-1 pm- Please join us for a panel discussion from past GCAA winners on tips for applying for the GCAA. Grand Prairie, Katy, and Weston Lakes will discuss how they prepared for GCAA and reveal their tips for writing a winning application. There will also be plenty of time to get all your burning questions answered, so you don't want to miss out on this!
Are you interested in participating in KTB awards season? This year, judging will be virtual as so much of life is.
There are two opportunities for online judging: March and April 2021.
GCAA Judging: Unlike previous years, GCAA judging will take place safely online due to COVID-19. Judging material will be sent out on March 15th and judges will score the applications just as they have in the past. KTB will coordinate times and virtual platforms for your groups to meet to discuss the applications and calculate the top applications for each category, just as you would in person. Judges will have 2 weeks to score applications and meet as a group.
Beautify Texas Awards: Formerly the KTB Awards, judging for the Beautify TX Awards will also take place online. Many of you participated in online judging for the KTB awards last year and this process won't look too different this year. Judging material will be sent out on April 5th and judges will have 2 weeks to score applications. Judges may also meet as a group depending on the number of applications and judges we receive.
Judges must have access to:- a computer
- the internet
- a microphone
- preferably, a video camera
GCAA Online Awards Instructions
Step One
Review the GCAA Guidelines and Eligibility Requirements.Step Two
Visit our new Awards Software and create an account.Step Three
Once you’re ready to begin, select GCAA at the top to begin your application.Step Four
Answer all questions and upload all supplemental information. Don’t forget to save as you go! This will allow you to leave the page and return at a later time if needed.Step Five
Once you’ve completed your application, submit and pay. You’ll have a chance to save a copy of your application when you’re finished.Step Six
Pay the $25 fee online with a credit card or mail your check to:
Keep Texas Beautiful - GCAA
8850 Business Park Drive, Ste 200
Austin, Texas 78759Relax – you’re finished! Congratulations on completing the 2020 GCAA application!
Landscaping Awards by Population Size Categories
Category | Population | Landscaping Award Amount |
Category 1 | Up to 3,000 | $90,000 |
Category 2 | 3,001 - 5,500 | $110,000 |
Category 3 | 5,501 - 9,000 | $130,000 |
Category 4 | 9,001 - 15,000 | $160,000 |
Category 5 | 15,001 - 25,000 | $180,000 |
Category 6 | 25,001 - 40,000 | $210,000 |
Category 7 | 40,001 - 65,000 | $250,000 |
Category 8 | 65,001 - 90,000 | $270,000 |
Category 9 | 90,001 - 180,000 | $290,000 |
Category 10 | Over 180,000 | $310,000 |
