SW Piedmont VA Master Naturalist WINS $1k!

Southwest Piedmont Virginia Master Naturalist Chapter has been awarded a $1,000 grant in the Beautification and Community Greening Category.  The KVB grant program focuses greater resources and attention on individual localities throughout the Commonwealth and how they are addressing the issues of litter prevention, recycling, waste reduction, beautification and education. In honor of Earth Month, Keep Virginia Beautiful (KVB) is awarding “30 Grants In 30 Days” in April, 2011.

The Southwest Piedmont Virginia Master Naturalist Chapter, along with the Virginia Museum of Natural History, will restore, beautify and create a stewardship project in Martinsville City’s 30 acre J. Frank Wilson Memorial Park.  The goals of the project include;

(1) invasive species removal and control
(2) nature trail enhancements and maintenance with identification and preservation of native flora
(3) beautification of gateway and public gathering spaces with debris removal and native species mini-gardens
(4) installation of recycling bins
(5) graffiti removal at shelters
(6) implementing riparian restoration and natural and structural erosion control measures; and,
(7) coordinating at least four Saturday community-wide Clean-up, Green-up events.

J. Frank Wilson Memorial Park is located in the heart of Martinsville and adjacent to the Virginia Museum of Natural History. The park has been neglected for years but with community support and hard-working volunteers, the park can again offer families, children, students, and individuals an outdoor environment that fosters appreciation and enjoyment of natural resources, while becoming a much-needed community asset.  For information on Southwest Piedmont Virginia Master Naturalist Chapter and their project, contact Dennis Casey, [email protected] or (276) 634-4184.

KVB provided the opportunity for government, non-profit and/or service organizations in Virginia to apply for one of (30) $1,000 grants in three different categories: 10 grants for plastic bag reduction and recycling, 10 grants for cigarette litter prevention, and 10 grants for community greening and beautification.  These grants are made possible by KVB’s partners, Walmart and Waste Management.

The mission at Keep Virginia Beautiful is to engage and unite Virginians to improve our natural and scenic environment.  Our goals include becoming the leading statewide voice, providing a framework for improved communication and collaboration, cultivating and supporting sustainable programs, and engaging citizens by linking them to volunteer opportunities and information through these 5 impact areas:  Litter Prevention, Waste Reduction, Recycling, Beautification, and Environmental Education.