The City of Lexington has been awarded a 30 in Thirty Grant of $750.00 in the Recycling category. The City’s current rate if residential participation in recycling is about 25-30 percent. They would like to raise that rate to a consistent forty percent. This past year, the City distributed new recycling containers to launch a recycling campaign. They would like to continue the recycling efforts with an educational outreach initiative. Grant funds from Keep Virginia Beautiful will allow them to visit schools, hold events in public spaces, send direct mailers, and design and disseminate educational materials throughout the community. The City believes the focus and interaction with the public will boost recycling rates.
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, 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.
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.
We awarded Augusta County Recycling Committee in partnership with Augusta County Parks and Recreation a $500 30 in Thirty grant for their Cigarette Litter Prevention Project titled, “Park Your Butts Here.” They will focus on cigarette litter education and awareness by offering an alternative to throwing cigarette butts on the ground. They will use the grant funds to purchase and install at least one cigarette receptacle in the area near the shelters/pavilions of each of their five parks. They will also design, print and laminate educational signs to post near the receptacles.
Since 2011, Keep Virginia Beautiful has provided over $145,000 to 195 projects throughout the Commonwealth. This year, we partnered with Altria, Keep America Beautiful, and Deep Run Dance Marathon to make the program possible. Government, non-profit, civic, and service organizations in Virginia were invited to apply for grants for $500 to $2,000 describing how they plan to address Litter Prevention, Recycling, Cigarette Litter Prevention, or Beautification in their communities.
We awarded the City of Harrisonburg a $1,000 30 in Thirty grant for their Cigarette Litter Prevention Project. The City plans to partner with the Harrisonburg Department of Public Transportation to install cigarette ash receptacles at high-traffic bus shelters. HDPT identified numerous bus shelters that lack proper cigarette disposals. These bus shelters serve as transition points for passengers entering and exiting the bus system. Once installed, ash receptacles will target these bus shelter transition points, so the highest volume of transit users have a proper way to dispose of their cigarettes.
In 2015, Harrisonburg received funding from KVB affiliate, Keep America Beautiful, to install cigarette receptacles downtown. They will use their grant money to expand upon the success of the program by installing cigarette receptacles in high-traffic bus shelters. Harrisonburg will also use some of the money to educate public transportation users on cigarette litter prevention.
Since 2011, Keep Virginia Beautiful has provided over $145,000 to 195 projects throughout the Commonwealth. This year, we partnered with Altria, Keep America Beautiful, and Deep Run Dance Marathon to make the program possible. Government, non-profit, civic, and service organizations in Virginia were invited to apply for 30 in Thirty grants for $500 to $2,000 describing how they plan to address Litter Prevention, Recycling, Cigarette Litter Prevention, or Beautification in their communities.
The County of Shenandoah has been awarded a 30 in Thirty Grant of $1,000 in the Recycling category. Shenandoah County in Edinburg discovered last year that a third of county residents lack access to recycling receptacles in their homes and would recycle more if receptacles were available. The 30 in Thirty Grant funds provided by Keep Virginia Beautiful will help the county purchase receptacles and distribute them to 150 households at a 75% discount. They expect a decrease in the amount of trash buried in the county landfill by increasing the amount of recyclable materials that would have otherwise been deposited. Their goal is to see an increase of about 300 tons per year in recyclable materials diverted from the landfill.
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. Since 2011, Keep Virginia Beautiful has provided over $110,000 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.
Lee Jackson Elementary School has been awarded a 30 in Thirty Grant of $500 in the Beautification category. Lee Jackson Elementary School in Mathews has a habitat for wildlife that includes several bird feeders and a flower garden. The habitat is located directly outside the library window, and the students enjoy identifying the birds with guides that are available in the library. Not only does the habitat provide a place of beauty at the school, it also extends student learning and creates empathy for nature. Funds awarded by Keep Virginia Beautiful will be used to purchase synthetic lumber to replace the raised beds, and to rebuild the retaining walls for the habitat.
Government, non-profit, civic and service organizations in Virginia were invited to apply for 30 in Thirty 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 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.
The Town of Elkton has been awarded a 30 in Thirty Grant of $750 in the Beautification category. Elkton wants to increase the beauty of three areas located within town: the municipal offices, the town triangle in the center of town and Elk Run Cemetery. Overgrown shrubs were removed from these areas due to damage by high winds and a larger snow total this winter. Cold temperatures froze some of the vegetation. The triangle, located at the center of town, is the focal point of the business area. Funds provided by the 30 in Thirty Grant from Keep Virginia Beautiful will be used for these improvements, including dogwood trees, replacement shrubs, roses, and flowering plants for the summer.
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. Since 2011, Keep Virginia Beautiful has provided over $110,000 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.
Keep Bristol Beautiful has been awarded a 30 in Thirty Grant of $750 in the Beautification category. Keep Bristol Beautiful strives to beautify their city through planting trees and flowers, and by bringing community members together to work on projects. They will invite volunteers, including Boy Scouts and civic organizations, to install the plants and implement cleaning retreats at local parks. With the grant funds awarded by Keep Virginia Beautiful, they will purchase cleanup and gardening supplies, as well as trees and flowers. Their hope is to increase environmental awareness and continue to keep their community clean and aesthetically pleasing for local residents and visitors. 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.
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.
329 Green Street is a group in Staunton who plan to turn a vacant, former dumping ground into a shining example of permaculture design. They plan for a cost-effective, low-impact, regenerative landscape that will help manage storm-water runoff and improve air quality. They’ll plant nine trees and ten groups of vegetables, as well as collect and filter over 10,000 gallons of water each year. With support from local residents and experience working with the Shenandoah Permaculture Institute, their goal is to create a perennial landscape that benefits people, animals, birds, and insects. 329 Green Street has been awarded a 30 in Thirty grant of $1,000 in the Beautification category.
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.
Wakefield Country Day School in Flint Hill wants to educate its faculty and students about the positive effects recycling has on the environment. Their goal is to reduce waste by starting a student-run single stream recycling program. The role of the environmental club will be to educate students of the proper items to recycle. 30 in Thirty funds awarded by Keep Virginia Beautiful will be used to purchase large recycling receptacles to place in the school. Wakefield Country Day School has been awarded a grant of $500 in the Recycling category.
Government, non-profit, civic and service organizations in Virginia were invited to apply for 30 in Thirty 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 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.
