garden

June 30 2023

The Town of Independence Awarded $750 Green Grant

Beckey Watson Uncategorized $750, Community Beautification, garden, Green Grant, green space, LOVE sign, native plants, public space, Town of Independence, vintage tractor

The Town of Independence is awarded a $750 Green Grant in the Community Beautification Category as part of our 13th Annual Green Grants Program.

Every year, government, non-profit, civic, and service organizations in Virginia are invited to apply for grants ranging from $500 to $1,000 that will help address an environmental concern in their community. Grants must focus on one of the following priorities: Litter Prevention, Recycling, Cigarette Litter Prevention, or Community Beautification.

Town Council was approached by community volunteers with an idea to enhance the vacant lot opposite the Town Park/Farmers Market pavilion to transform it into the Independence Community Tractor Garden. A vintage John Deer tractor was donated and brought to the site in an effort to tie into the farming community and add beauty through the installation of mostly native and pollinating plants and flowers. With benches on either side the tractor, visitors can enter the garden and enjoy its simple cottage appeal. It is designed to be attractive in all four seasons.

With funds provided by the Green Grant, they will transform a once vacant and weedy corner lot in the center of town into a beautiful community garden for locals, their visitors, and tourists to enjoy. They will install a paver walkway, plantings along the walkway, and low-voltage landscape light for evening enjoyment.

Once completed, the garden will include a timber frame built “Virginia is for Lovers” L-O-V-E sign behind the tractor. The final result will instill a sense of pride for the community, and a continued source of beauty as the garden matures into a restful, green, public space.

June 28 2021

Patrick County Chamber of Commerce

Beckey Watson 30 in 30 Green Grants, Uncategorized barn quilt, Beautification, Community, Community Beautification, garden, Green Grants, Pocket Park

Patrick County Chamber of Commerce, in Southwest Virginia, is today’s 30 in 30 Green Grant award announcement! They will receive $1000 for their Community Beautification project.

The Patrick County Chamber of Commerce works to promote economic development, workforce training, tourism and activities that enhance business and civic leadership. Their Community Beautification project focuses on a town-owned lot adjacent to a local restaurant in downtown Stuart. The space will be converted into a vibrant pocket park. Tony’s Pizza Pocket Park is highly visible from the main thoroughfare and convenient to restaurants for outdoor dining.

The Patrick County Chamber of Commerce will use their grant funds to purchase large planters and supplies to plant flowers in the new park, and will paint the existing picnic tables. The Patrick County Barn Quilt group will paint large barn quilts to create a blind for the dumpster, while depicting local heritage through the designs.

Every year, 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 $254,500 for 320 different environmental programs and projects all across the Commonwealth, due to the generosity of their partnership with Altria, as well as additional support from Coca-Cola, WestRock and Keep America Beautiful.

June 26 2021

Sustainability Matters Awarded $1,000 Green Grant

Beckey Watson 30 in 30 Green Grants, Uncategorized Beautification, Community, environment, garden, Green Grants, landfill, native plants, pollinator garden, Pollinators, trash, wildflowers, Wildlife

Congratulations to today’s award of our 2021 Green Grants, Sustainability Matters, in Shenandoah County, who will receive a grant award of $1000 for its Community Beautification project.

Sustainability Matters is a grassroots organization in rural Shenandoah Valley that provides knowledge, motivation, and a peer support to landowners, farmers, and small business owners, enabling them to implement positive environmental practices, support pollinators and wildlife, and grow their own food. They recently launched the project “Making Trash Bloom,” an initiative to plant landfill trash cells with native perennial meadows instead of turf grass. Landfills seal a 5-acre trash cell every 3-5 years, and the land can never be used to grow crops or be planted with trees. Turf grass, the current preference for planting trash cells, has little ecological value.

The plan for the Community Beautification project from Sustainability Matters is to plant native wildflowers on completed trash cells instead of turf grass, turning this under-used area into a crucial habitat for wildlife and pollinators. It will also be a beautiful area for the public to see as they go to or pass by the landfill. Grant funds will be used to purchase seeds and planting supplies for blossoming gardens at landfills.

June 23 2021

Two Beautiful Projects Awarded Green Grants

Beckey Watson 30 in 30 Green Grants, Uncategorized ADA compliant, Beautification, garden, Grant, Grants, native plants, Sensory Trail

A special focus of our Green Grants this year is to support diverse groups and underserved populations by adding five additional grant awards, for a total of thirty-five awards!

Today we recognize Pulaski County High School, a public high school who will receive $1,000 for their “Sensory Trail” Community Beautification project. They began converting overgrown walking paths behind the school to a handicap-accessible trail and native plant oasis. The Sensory Trail is designed for people with disabilities, and follows ADA compliances.

Pulaski County High School will use their grant funds to add native plants, with a focus on pollinator-friendly perennials. They will set up poles and ropes to mark the Sensory Trail, and add educational exhibits along the pathway. The trail will serve as a much-needed outdoor space for students and community members.

Today we also recognize Charterhouse School – Edinburg, a school dedicated to supporting high-risk children and families, collaborating with communities to help them reach their full potential.

They will receive $500 for their Flower Box Beautification project to restore flower boxes at the front entrance of their school building. Students will plant new flowers that are native to Virginia and pollinator-friendly. This will be an opportunity for students to learn about gardening and the value of pollinators, as well as practicing counting skills and measuring plant growth.

June 22 2021

$1,000 Grant Goes to Lynchburg Grows

Beckey Watson Uncategorized award, awards, Beautification, Bees, garden, Grant, Grants, Green Grants, grow, Lynchburg, native plants, Pollinators

We are all abuzz about today’s Green Grant award! Congratulations to Lynchburg Grows, who will receive a grant award of $1000 to implement its Community Beautification project to install a pollinator garden! We’ll continue announcing one grant award each day during the month of June.

Lynchburg Grows is a non-profit urban farm in the heart of Lynchburg, Virginia. The city received the designation of Bee City USA, in 2019. Lynchburg Grows donates the produce they grow to local organizations that feed the hungry, and to participants in their cooking and nutrition program.

Lynchburg Grows will use their grant award to create a pollinator garden. Pollinators are critical to the functioning of the food-producing ecosystem on the farm. They will plant a large variety of native plants to attract and feed native pollinators, who will in turn pollinate the crops that are growing on the farm.

June 16 2021

Improving Lives of the Underserved

Beckey Watson 30 in 30 Green Grants, Uncategorized Beautification, bus, bus stops, dimentia, garden, Green Grants, litter, Litter Prevention, memory care, Richmond, senior citizens, Underserved

A special focus of our Green Grants this year is to support diverse groups and underserved populations by adding five additional grant awards, for a total of thirty-five awards, with one announcement being made each day in the month of June. Today, KVB recognizes two organizations that are working to improve the lives of the communities they serve.

The first award goes to Primeplus Senior Center, which helps seniors and disabled residents through issues such as food shortages, transportation, exercise, socialization, and education, with payments based on a sliding scale for low-income participants.

Dementia in any form is scary, for both the person with dementia and the family caregivers. Research from Virginia Cooperative Extension suggests gardening as a great activity to help maintain physical and emotional well-being. With a $1,000 grant provided by Keep Virginia Beautiful’s Green Grants, Primeplus will create a Therapeutic Walking Garden that uses the gentle stimulation of the five senses to enhance feelings of comfort and maximize a person’s potential to focus, improving communication and memory. They will purchase hanging baskets, elevated containers boxes, garden carts, among other things, and ADA approved mulch that will make it easier for seniors in walkers and wheelchairs to navigate the garden.

The second Green Grant award goes to RVA Rapid Transit, a nonprofit that focuses on creating reliable and far-reaching public transit throughout Richmond. RVA Rapid Transit reports that 74% of GRTC riders are people of color and 79% of GRTC riders have household incomes under $49,999.

RVA Rapid Transit grant application requested support for their Better Bus Stop Program, which will provide bus stops with additional benches, trash cans and recycling bins. They will organize volunteer groups to “adopt-a-stop” to help keep them clean by picking up trash at the stop at least once per month. The $500 grant award will also be used to purchase supplies for those cleanup efforts. This summer focus will be on bus stops on Broad Street in Short Pump, bus stops around White Oak Village, and bus stops in East End Richmond.

Thank you to these two groups for the services they provide, we look forward to the results of your programs! Congratulations!

June 11 2021

$1,000 Green Grant for Greenworks

Beckey Watson 30 in 30 Green Grants, Uncategorized Beautification, eastern shore, garden, Green Grants, native plants

Congratulations to today’s award of our 2021 Green Grants — Greenworks Committee, in Accomack County, who will receive a grant award of $1000 for its Community Beautification project! We’ll be announcing one each day during the month of June.

The Greenworks Committee unites Virginians in a common mission to engage in litter reduction efforts on Virginia’s Eastern, and to create a cleaner and greener environment. Greenworks Committee will use their grant funds to restore the native plant garden at the Historic Onancock School. Native Gardens play a key role in preserving diversity, beauty, and function of the Eastern Shore’s natural ecosystems. Native plants are often more resistant to insects and disease and require little to no fertilizer, which results in less runoff. They are also more resistant to salt-water stress and capable of providing critical habitats and food for migratory birds, butterflies, and other pollinators.

Through grant funding, Greenworks committee will be able to restore the Historic Onancock School’s native garden to its healthiest state with additional plants, soil, and supplies.

June 9 2021

Two $1,000 Green Grants are Awarded!

Beckey Watson 30 in 30 Green Grants, Uncategorized Beautification, community garden, garden, Grant, Grants, Green Grants, Norfolk, Teens

A special focus of our Green Grants this year is to support diverse groups and underserved populations by adding five additional grant awards, for a total of thirty-five awards.

Today we recognize two organizations that are serving those in need. The first, Culpepper Garden, is Arlington’s largest affordable senior community and the first low-income senior community in the U.S. to provide assisted living. Culpepper Garden provides affordable housing for the area’s lowest income residents over the age of 62. Residents include veterans, former teachers, artists, librarians, professors, retail and sales staff, curators, writers, and stay-at-home mothers.

Culpepper Garden will receive a $1,000 Green Grants Award for their Community Beautification project. They will use their grant funds to plant a perennial community garden on the grounds of their assisted living center. They will utilize colorful perennials, mature trees, and shrubs to turn the property into an accessible, year-round green-space oasis for residents, their loved ones, and the greater Arlington community to enjoy.

We’re also shining a spotlight on Teens With a Purpose (TWP), in Norfolk, who will also receive a $1,000 for their Community Beautification project. TWP is a nonprofit working to empower young people through the arts, peer-led programs and events. Their goal is to help young people become inspired and develop a life-long motivation to learn.

TWP will use their grant funds to expand Purpose Park, a safe community space run by TWP. They will plant 23 trees, vegetables, flowers and fruit to share with the community and residents of nearby public housing. This project will provide beautification for the community, and will foster gardening skills, provide healthy food for people in need, while building leadership skills for program participants.

Congratulations Cullpepper Garden and Teens with a Purpose! We’re looking forward to seeing your results in the Fall!

February 12 2021

Beckey Watson Uncategorized Beautification, bird feeders, birds, environment, garden, Great Backyard Bird Count, native plants, nature, Virginia

Oh, for the love of birds! Every year around Valentine’s Day, people are asked to help scientists learn about the population and migration of birds by counting the birds they see in their own backyard, or any public space. The Great Backyard Bird Count runs this year from February 12-15, 2021, but you only need to spend 15 minutes watching and counting to assist in the process!

Now is a perfect time to do some birdwatching. With all the COVID restrictions in place, all ages can sit indoors and enjoy watching the birds out the window. It’s a great way for housebound senior citizens to spend some time, or to occupy the kids for 15 minutes. You can see the policy of “pecking order” in action at feeders, and watch their antics as birds interact with each other and nature. Here are some pictures and identities of common birds you’ll find in Virginia.

So why are birds important to humans? For one, they eat thousands and thousands of insects, bugs, and pests. They will gladly gobble up mosquitoes, caterpillars, spiders, crickets, aphids, and others – without using any chemicals. Cornell Labs says that a pair of chickadees must catch over 7,500 caterpillars to feed to just one nest of baby birds!

Another reason that it’s good to have birds in your backyard is because they are indicators of a healthy environment. Backyards, no matter if they’re small or large, can host a variety of birds if there are bushes for shelter, a birdbath or water source, and preferably native plants for seeds and berries. Here are some activities from Virginia Tech to help kids learn how to identify and provide food for wild birds. You don’t need expensive equipment, you and the kids can even make your own bird feeders.

In fact, making or installing a bird house is the perfect activity to do when you participate in our Shiver in Virginia Challenge that begins on February 27^th, and continues all through the month of March. There are many ways you can help Keep Virginia Beautiful, from picking up litter to caring for our beautiful wildlife. Check it out and register now!

So come on, the birds are counting on you!

January 11 2021

Virginia IS Beautiful

Beckey Watson Uncategorized Beautification, Botanical gardens, flowers, garden, gardening, native plants, public gardens, Virginia gardens, winter gardens

Virginia truly IS a beautiful state, and we aim to keep it that way! But with the first two weeks of 2021 being rainy and cloudy outside, let’s explore some online resources that are BEAUTIFUL to look at!

The Garden Club of Virginia “exists to celebrate the beauty of the land, to conserve the gifts of nature ad to challenge future generations to build on this heritage.” While their statewide headquarters are located in the historic Kent-Valentine house in Richmond, there are 48 Member Clubs throughout the Commonwealth. You may be familiar with Historic Garden Week, normally held each Spring, where private homes and gardens are opened for guests to “Oooh” and “Aahhh” at the beautiful landscapes, homes, and flower arrangements. But since the 1920’s their work focuses on landscape restorations at historic public properties, as well as the protection of natural resource, providing significant support to our Virginia State Parks. Check out their “Year in Review” publication, it’s a feast for the eyes!

Speaking of beautiful flowers, did you know about the Virginia Native Plant Society? They are a nonprofit organization that promotes the appreciation and use of native plants. What’s all the buzz about native plants these days? Besides the fact that our native honey bees love and need them, native plants are adapted to the local climate and soil conditions where they naturally occur. So they require less water, no fertilizers, and they’re easier to grow and maintain. The Virginia Native Plant Society is a great resource for home gardeners. Their Facebook page includes pictures people post to help others learn to identify the good and the bad plants. Or they’ll help you choose a native plant that would be a good fit for a specific area in your backyard.

And you may be surprised to learn that Winter is actually a good time to visit public gardens in Virginia. You get to see the “bones” of the garden design without the camouflage of the leaves. The bark and the shape of the trees can be seen, and there is always something in bloom in our moderate climate. Check ahead of your visit for any COVID restrictions or reservations needed.

Fun fact: there is a set of ten stamps from the U.S. Postal Service that celebrates the beauty of American Gardens — and one of the stamps featured is Virginia’s own Norfolk Botanical Garden!