Dan C.L. Sears, ASLA received the 2009 North Carolina Award from the North Carolina ASLA at its Fall 2009 meeting on October 23, 2009.

The North Carolina Award recognizes a career of achievement, leadership and service at the highest level by a professional landscape architect.  This award is given to individuals with a statewide stature and a lifetime contribution.  The North Carolina Award is the Chapter's highest award.
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Listing of Sears Design Group projects which have received awards:

• Sir Walter Raleigh Award for Community Appearance, 2012 for NC State University Watauga Club Gateway, Raleigh, NC. Site Enhancement category by the City of Raleigh Appearance Commission. 
• MAME Award, 2008:  Best Parade of Homes $2 million and Over for Stephen Dilger, Inc. Hasentree home, by the Triangle Sales and Marketing Council of North Carolina of the Home Builders Association.
• PLANET'S 37th Annual Environmental Improvement Award, 2007 for the Young Residence, Raleigh, NC
• Sir Walter Raleigh Award for Community Appearance, 2004 for Glenwood South Streetscapes, Raleigh, NC, Community category by the City of Raleigh Appearance Commission.
• Community Appearance Award, 2004: Site Improvements, for Easy Street/F&M Bank, Salisbury, NC, by the Salisbury Community Appearance Commission.
  
• Community Appearance Award, 2004: New Construction, for F&M Financial Center (Mayfield Building Complex), Salisbury, NC, by the Salisbury Community Appearance Commission.
  
• Residential Landscape Award for Community Appearance, 2004, for Larry and Susan Cloninger Residence, Salisbury, NC, by the Salisbury Community Appearance Commission.
  
• Sir Walter Raleigh Award for Community Appearance, 2001 for Eliza Pool Park, Raleigh, NC, Community category by the City of Raleigh Appearance Commission.
  
• Anthemion Award, 1996 for Streetscape Improvements, Apex Central Business District, by Capital Area Preservation, Inc.
  
• ALCA Environmental Improvement Grand Award, 1995 for the Michaels Residence, Raleigh, NC, by Associated Landscape Contractors of America.
  
• NCLCA Environmental Improvement Grand Award, 1995 for the Michaels Residence, Raleigh, NC by the North Carolina Landscape Contractors Association.
  
• Achievement Award, Chatham County, North Carolina, 1994 to The Village of Fearrington by the Chatham County Appearance Commission
  
• ALCA Environmental Improvement Grand Award, 1994 for the Klein Residence, Raleigh, NC by the Associated Landscape Contractors of America.
  
• NCLCA Environmental Improvement Grand Award, 1993 for the Klein Residence, Raleigh, NC by the North Carolina Landscape Contractors Association.
  
• Mayor's Award of Excellence, Cary, North Carolina, 1992 for Sears Design Group in recognition of their contribution to excellence in Community Development exemplified by Bahlsen, Inc. campus in Cary, NC.
  
• NCLCA Environmental Improvement Merit Award, 1992 for the Liptzin Residence by the North Carolina Landscape Contractors Association.
  
• Merit Award, 1992 for Moore Square Historic District Streetscapes, Raleigh, NC by American Society of Landscape Architects, North Carolina Chapter.
  
• Sir Walter Raleigh Award for Community Appearance, 1991 Moore Square Historic District Streetscapes, Raleigh, NC, Community category, by the City of Raleigh Appearance Commission.
  
• Regional Development Award, 1991 for Moore Square Historic District Streetscapes, Raleigh, NC, by the Triangle J Council of Governments.
  
• Honor Award, 1984 for The Village of Fearrington, near Chapel Hill, NC, by the American Society of Landscape Architects, North Carolina Chapter.
  
• Triangle Development Award, 1983 for The Village of Fearrington, near Chapel Hill, NC
  
• First Excellence in Design Award, 1986 for The Village of Fearrington, near Chapel Hill, NC, by the Triangle J Council of Governments.
  
• Merit Award, 1985 for Little Cross Creek Streamway Linear Park, Fayetteville, NC, by the American Society of Landscape Architects, North Carolina Chapter.
  
• Merit Award, 1984 for the Burkhardt Residence, Raleigh, NC, by the American Society of Landscape Architects, North Carolina Chapter.
  
• Residential Landscape Design Merit Award, 1985 for the Burkhardt Residence, Raleigh, NC, by the National Landscape Association.
  
• Triangle Architecture Awards, 1989 for Tucker Carriage House Revitalization, Raleigh, NC, by Spectator.
  
• Sir Walter Raleigh Award for Community Appearance, 1991 for Carolina Corporate Centre, Raleigh, NC, Commercial/Institutional category, by the City of Raleigh Appearance Commission.
  
• N.C. Landscape Contractors Design Award, 1989 for Carolina Corporate Centre, Raleigh, NC, by the North Carolina Landscape Contractors Association