Entries are being sought for the 2009 President's Environmental Youth Awards, which recognize students, classes (kindergarten through high school) and youth groups for protecting air, water and land.

The program is open to students in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska through the EPA's Region 7 in Kansas City, Kan.

The program has two components: Regional certificate program and regional award winner.

Regional certificates are awarded by each EPA regional office, which also selects one first-place regional award winner. The sponsor and winner will travel to Washington to receive their award.

Projects must be postmarked by Dec. 31. Details and applications are at epa.gov/enviroed/peya/index.html or by calling Denise Morrison, (800) 223-0425. Winners will be notified in January.