We are awarding our annual “30 in Thirty Green Grants” daily during the month of June. Friends of Norfolk’s Environment has been awarded today’s grant of $1000 for its Beautification project.
Friends of Norfolk’s Environment is a non-profit organization with dedicated volunteer community leaders who work to improve Norfolk’s environment through stewardship, education, and restoration. They will use their grant award to create a community garden at the Boys and Girls Club Diggs Town Recreation Center. The recreation center is located within an underserved, low income community of Southside Norfolk that is a food dessert – and area without easy access to grocery stores. A community garden program will benefit the children at the Diggs Town Recreation Center by providing physical activity, lowering stress and anxiety, providing outdoor time in nature, positively influencing self-esteem and confidence, and most importantly, connecting children to the natural food cycle.
Since 2011, we have provided $203,000 for 260 different environmental projects and programs all across the Commonwealth, due to the generosity this year of our partner Altria, as well as additional support from Keep America Beautiful and Coca-Cola.
The Rappahannock Group Sierra Club in Fredericksburg has won a 30 in Thirty Green Grant of $1000 for their Litter Prevention proposal.
We are awarding our annual “30 in 30 Green Grants” daily during the month of June. Since 2011, we have provided $203,000 for 260 different environmental projects and programs all across the Commonwealth, due to the generosity this year of our partner Altria, as well as additional support from Keep America Beautiful and Coca-Cola.
Rappahannock Group Sierra Club is teaming up with vendors at their Saturday Farmers Market to introduce reusable nylon net produce bags. They plan to educate shoppers on the importance of reducing plastic bag waste with a project titled, “Pass on Plastic.” This alternative is a reusable nylon net produce bag that is durable, washable, and allows vegetables to “breathe.” A sewing machine will be set up adjacent to the vendors at the market, and volunteers will sew the bags, give them away to shoppers, and educate the public. Funds from the grant will be used to purchase materials to sew the bags, and to create educational signage.
We are awarding our annual “30 in Thirty Green Grants” daily during the month of June. Deep Creek Middle School has been awarded a grant of $1000 as today’s winner in the Litter Prevention category.
Deep Creek Middle School’s Grades of Green Team aims to educate students about single-use plastic pollution. The school’s cafeteria uses 240 plastic water bottles each day. The Grades of Green Team will use grant funds to install an Elkay water-bottle refill station. By replacing the older water fountain at the school, the refill station will encourage the environmentally conscious decision not to use single-use plastic bottles.
Since 2011, we have provided $203,000 for 260 different environmental projects and programs all across the Commonwealth, due to the generosity this year of our partner Altria, as well as additional support from Keep America Beautiful and Coca-Cola.
Each year, we award between thirty and 35 Green Grants to groups, schools, and organizations that share our mission to keep Virginia beautiful. SCRAP RVA was one such recipient. They recently reached out to tell us the good work they’ve been able to do with their 30 in Thirty Green Grant:
“SCRAP RVA provides three important components to the Richmond community. First, SCRAP RVA enhances environmental awareness and sustainable behavior, by reducing the steady flow of materials into the waste stream and promoting the use of reclaimed supplies. Second, SCRAP RVA provides educational programs that promote a more creatively active and environmentally aware citizenry. Third, SCRAP RVA increases access to education and materials, by providing a low-cost alternative to for-profit stores and workshops.
The 30 in Thirty Grant supported SCRAP RVA’s mission to provide low/no cost educational experiences in the community promoting young people’s excitement about recycling and upcycling. Through our Summer Studio Upcycling project we conducted seven free workshops with a total of 83 youth participants. During each workshop the Artist/Educators asked open-ended questions about creative reuse. They encouraged the students to have fun, explore, and allow the materials and activities to spark their own upcycling ideas.
We were pleased to expand our geographic reach by conducting workshops in the City of Richmond (one at VCU; two at the Downtown Main Branch Library; two at Fox Elementary School in the Fan District), and surrounding counties (one in Chesterfield County at Girls for a Change headquarters and one in New Kent County at Gethsemane Church).”
askHRgreen.org has been awarded a 30 in Thirty Grant of $500 in the Cigarette Litter Prevention category. askHRgreen.org is a public awareness program of the seventeen cities and counties of Hampton Roads. Members will work collectively at five separate locations across the region. They will use grant funds to purchase cigarette ash receptacles for installation at each project location, and post signage to encourage proper disposal of cigarette litter. They will also schedule outreach events to distribute educational materials and pocket ashtrays to the public.
Since 2011, Keep Virginia Beautiful has provided over $178,000 to fund 230 environmental projects and programs all across the Commonwealth, due to the generosity this year of our partners at Altria and Keep America Beautiful. Government, non-profit, civic and service organizations in Virginia were invited to apply for grants for $500 to $1,000 describing how they plan to tackle an environmental concern in their community regarding Litter Prevention, Recycling, Cigarette Litter Prevention, or Community Beautification.
George Mason Elementary School has been awarded a 30 in Thirty grant of $750 in the recycling category. Government, non-profit, civic and service organizations in Virginia were invited to apply for grants for $500 to $1,000 describing how they plan to tackle an environmental concern in their community regarding Litter Prevention, Recycling, Cigarette Litter Prevention, or Community Beautification.
Since 2011, we have provided over $178,000 to fund 230 environmental projects and programs all across the Commonwealth, due to the generosity this year of our partners at Altria and Keep America Beautiful.
George Mason Elementary School is located in the heart of the Churchill area in the City of Richmond. Due to the lead levels in the pipes of the school, they have been receiving water bottles on a regular basis since Winter 2017. Each of the 400 student are allowed as much water as they like. All of those water bottles currently get thrown away with the each day. Funding for their project, “No Bottle Left Behind,” will be used to purchase recycling bins for each classroom, and large bins to transport the bottles to the curb for pickup. This will keep thousands of recyclable plastic bottles out of the area landfill.
The mission at Keep Virginia Beautiful is to engage and unite Virginians to improve our natural and scenic environment through five impact areas: Litter Prevention, Waste Reduction, Recycling, Beautification, and Environmental Education.
There has been some controversy over one of our recent Facebook posts, and while we would like to respond to each and every one of you, please accept this:
A Statement on Governor Northam’s Support
We were recently honored to spend some time with Virginia’s Governor Ralph Northam and his wife, Virginia First Lady Pamela Northam. They generously offered us their time to film what will soon be a public service announcement for Keep Virginia Beautiful, supporting our mission since 1953, and in particular, asking others to help in engaging our new role as stewards of the Commonwealth’s Adopt-A-Highway program.
We posted a picture of our team with the Governor and First Lady, and the response was surprisingly mixed. There are many who tied our actions, and the participation of the Governor, as an endorsement of the Mountain Valley Pipeline.
When we began over 65 years ago, it was as an organization dedicated to eradicating roadside litter. While that’s still a core part of our mission (especially since accepting our role with Adopt-A-Highway), our overall mission and message has evolved to embrace every effort that keeps Virginia beautiful.
This is not a partisan issue, but one that impacts people of all parties and ideologies.
At Keep Virginia Beautiful, we work every day to prevent litter; to clean up our roadways, rivers, and public spaces; to encourage recycling and waste reduction; to beautify our surroundings; and to educate others on how they can have an impact. On Earth Day, our Executive Director, Mike Baum, penned an Op-Ed dedicated to these very principles.
Like many of our Board Members who come from business and industry, the Governor and First Lady have continuously supported us in our mission, and have pledged their support into the future. We remain thankful for that support. It takes the actions of every Virginian to keep Virginia beautiful.
We had a bit of a quiet celebration this past Saturday. March 24th was our 65th Birthday. Back in 1953, we were born from a desire to do something about roadside litter. And after 65 years, one would think that it’s time to relax. To rest on one’s laurels. Maybe do a little fishing. Ponder retirement…
But we can’t.
In 1953, a group of businessmen around Culpepper began discussing the scourge of litter gathering along the roadways and byways of Virginia. In the early Spring, they started a campaign to “Keep Virginia Clean” and adopted the slogan “Don’t Be a Litterbug.” National leaders started to take notice, and the first cleanup effort of the “Virginia Anti-Litterbug Council” showed that people actually gave a darn, and what these Virginians were doing was a sustainable model. Keep America Beautiful was founded later that same year, and by 1956 we had officially adopted “Keep Virginia Beautiful” as our moniker. While many equate our mission (and that of Keep America Beautiful) with the famed commercial of the “crying Indian,” Iron Eyes Cody wasn’t the only celebrity to join the cause. First Lady Lady Bird Johnson championed beautification as her pet cause, and in 1967 Lassie joined her as the mascot of a nation-wide anti-littering campaign.
Amine Kellam and Paul Sanders of KVB with Iron Eyes Cody
Seems like after 65 years we would have made a sizable dent in our litter problem, no?
In 1953, around 3.5 million people called Virginia home. As of last year, our numbers had swelled to almost 8.5 million. That’s a lot more people buying stuff, generating trash, and sadly, creating litter. While our mission has evolved to include recycling, education, beautification, and more, fighting litter is still a core part of what we do. In 1953, our posters said, “Your Personal Example Means Everything!” That’s as true today as it was over six decades ago.
At our recent Shiver in the River, volunteers gathered over a ton of litter and recyclables right here in Richmond. We are once again accepting applications for 30 Grants in Thirty Days, which will provide funds to groups that want to do their part. Since 2011, we’ve given out $178,000 for 230 projects. As a part of this year’s grants, we’re giving out 65 free cleanup kits for folks who want to want to make their own impact in their part of the Commonwealth. Over the last year, we’ve worked with VDOT to become the stewards of the state-wide Adopt-a-Highway program…
Which is kind of fitting, isn’t it? After 65 years, we’re still trying to stop roadside littering.
So as the weather warms a bit, we may do a bit of fishing. We’re thinking of a few road trips to the mountains and perhaps the beach. Smith Mountain and Claytor Lakes are looking really good right about now.
This Contest Has Now Ended! Winners Announced Soon!
It’s hard to believe it all began four years ago…
We had this crazy idea to embrace our Capitol City of Richmond, and most especially the James River that flows through it. How about a big cleanup? We can turn it into a big party! Even better – let’s all jump in the James to celebrate!
AND LET’S DO IT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WINTER!
Our first Shiver in the River was a great success. In our second year, 350 people registered for a new 5K Walk/Run, allowing many to enjoy the scenic beauty on and around the James. Last year, 535 people registered for the 5K, 488 volunteered and gathered over a ton of trash and recyclables, and 183 hearty folks did the James River Jump. We had music, food, dogs, kids, drones, and beautiful sunshine to dull the cold.
It’s truly become Virginia’s Coolest Winter Festival.
This year’s Shiver in the River is February 24th, and we have a great deal for you! Follow This Link to register to win – not one but – TWO VIP passes to – not one but – TWO of Virginia’s signature events! You’ll be entered to win two VIP access passes and two 5K entries to Shiver in the River on the 24th, and two VIP Walking Around Grand Tasting Plus Bounty of Virginia to the Virginia Wine Expo on March 3rd! You need to be 21 to enter, but it’s worth it!
BUT WAIT! THERE’S MORE!
Nobody likes to Shiver or drink wine alone, so tag a friend you would love to shiver with! If you use the hashtag #Shiver18 on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, you’ll be entered TWICE! You have to register first, and then share the contest URL, including the #Shiver18 hashtag.
Stuarts Draft High School Exceptional Learner’s Classroom in Stuarts Draft has been awarded a 30 in Thirty grant of $500 in the Recycling category. Their Exceptional Learner’s Classroom advocates giving real work experience to special needs students through participating in weekly paper recycling assignments. Students will be given opportunities to inform others about recycling while collecting paper from designated recycling bins in classrooms. This will provide the students with the opportunity to decrease paper waste, and chance to interact with peers to practice important vocational and social skills.
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. Government, non-profit, civic and service organizations in Virginia 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.
