Blacksburg New School Wins 30 in Thirty

Blacksburg New School in Blacksburg has been awarded a 30 in Thirty Grant of $750 in the Beautification category. Government, non-profit, civic and service organizations were invited to apply for grants for $500 to $1,000 telling how they are addressing these pressing issues:  Litter Prevention, Recycling, Cigarette Litter Prevention, and Community Beautification. Since 2011, Keep Virginia Beautiful has provided over $110,000 in 30 in Thirty Grants to 140 organizations throughout the state. This year, for the first time, we are awarding 45 grants because of the generosity of our partners at Altria, Keep America Beautiful, WestRock Foundation and Trex.

Blacksburg New School has developed a plan to transform a storm-water detention basin on its campus into a rain garden. Increased vegetation and mulch will reduce erosion and the amount of water that flows to downstream areas. An educational outreach program for students will be implemented to promote the effects of land development on watersheds, water quality, and storm-water management. With the grant from Keep Virginia Beautiful, the rain garden project will create a beautiful garden that will provide increased habitat and forage for many animals, birds and vital pollinators. It will also have a significant impact on the health of Blacksburg’s waterways.