The Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center will host its fourth annual Sustainable Gingerbread House Competition and Exhibit the week of Thanksgiving.

Designers are asked to create environmentally friendly houses highlighting sustainability and green building design using edible materials.

“This is a great opportunity for families, businesses, civic groups, students and/or individuals to get into the holiday spirit and show off their gingerbread building talents and green building ingenuity,” GEHC program director Jason West said.

At least three sustainable building elements must be included in the design of the gingerbread house, such as solar panels, rain barrels, a green roof, windmills, etc. Participants may use a traditional gingerbread recipe, a recipe for dog biscuits, bird seed cakes or any other edible product. The structure can also include birdseed, pine cones, leaves, twigs or anything from nature.

The categories for entry are: prekindergarten to second grade, third to sixth grade as a group or individual, teen group or individual, adult group or individual, family and professional. All categories may enter as a group or individual. The overall winning entry will receive a $75 gift card from the Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center Foundation.

Each participant must complete an electronic entry form at www.gwinnettEHC.org by Nov. 25.

Contestants are asked to deliver gingerbread houses to the GEHC between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Nov. 25; 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Nov. 26; or 1-3 p.m. Nov. 30. Judging will take place week of Dec. 2.

Awards will be presented during the Green Your Holiday Program at 11 a.m. Dec. 14. Entries will be available for viewing until Jan. 3.

For more information, visit www.gwinnettEHC.org.