Green Grant

06-03-23 Pulaski Co. (300 × 300 px)

Pulaski County is Awarded $1,000 Green Grant

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We’re pleased to announce that Pulaski County, in Southwestern Virginia, is awarded a $1,000 Green Grant in Litter Prevention 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..

The goal of Pulaski County is to involve the general population in their litter program called, “One Bag Challenge.” This is an ongoing challenge to all citizens, civic groups, Boards, Towns, county departments, and agencies to pick up One Bag of Trash from roadsides or wherever they find litter.  Citizens and groups picking up are asked to submit pictures of themselves with the litter they’ve cleaned up from the location.  The pictures are posted on the Pulaski County Clean Community Council Facebook page.

The County anticipates that hundreds of people will participate to remove bags of litter, tires, discarded furniture, appliances, and other items from the landscape.

The funds awarded for the Green Grant will be used to purchase supplies necessary for participants to safely cleanup litter.  Litter grabbers, gloves, vests, and bags will be given to individuals for the One Bag Challenge.

Thank you, Pulaski County, for the work you’re doing to encourage litter cleanup!

06-02-23 Art Guild

Art Guild of Greene Awarded $1,000 Green Grant

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The Art Guild of Greene is awarded a $1,000 Green Grant in the Recycling Category as part of our 13th Annual Green Grants Program!

The Art Guild of Greene has been a supporter of the art departments in the five Greene County School District since it was organized in 2012.  It support the teachers financially each semester in order for them to purchase supplies that are not covered in the school’s budget.  Each art teacher has been “adopted” by an Art Guild Of Greene Board Member, who keeps in touch with them to stay aware of the needs for that department.

Through this contact, it was discovered that the Primary School’s art teacher’s classroom is located in a trailer that doesn’t have running water.  The teacher transports water to the classroom for each class session, disposing of it outside after classes have ended.  The teacher also uses disposable hand wipes to clean the students’ hands after they participate in art projects.

With funds provided by this grant award, The Art Guild of Greene a rain barrel will be installed to capture rain draining off the art classroom roof, and will provide clean running water in trailer to use when painting and washing the students’ hands.  When the rain barrel water is collected and connected to the sink and drain, it will provide the water necessary for painting and other art projects, and eliminate the need for disposable hand wipes.

Culpeper Soil and Water Conservation Department made a donation  of the rain barrel.  Gutters will be installed on both the front and the rear of the Art Trailer, with connected downspouts that feed into the rain barrel; and an existing  sink will be modified with a functioning drain system beneath the trailer onto the asphalt foundation by a local plumber.

Having water available from the rain barrel to the Art Trailer for students to use for their art work will not only be easier on the art instructor, it will eliminate the need for disposable hand wipes, and reduce the amount of paper towels in the classroom.

Blue Ridge Conservation Receives $1,000 Green Grant

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Blue Ridge Conservation LogoTo help install a native plant garden and trail at the  27-acre public garden known as Old City Cemetery in Lynchburg, Blue Ridge Conservation has been awarded $1,000 as part of our 12th Annual Green Grants Program.

Blue Ridge Conservation’s mission is to educate the Lynchburg area public about the importance of being good stewards of the natural world.  Recent initiatives include partnerships with schools, government agencies, and community organizations to create gardens that teach the importance of planting native plants.

Blue Ridge Conservation plans a new native plant garden and trail to be located in the Old City Cemetery in Lynchburg, the oldest municipal cemetery in Virginia.  Removing turf, which has no benefit to pollinators, is an important first step.  Grass will be replaced with native plants, shrubbery, perennials, and trees that will not only benefit water quality but also create wildlife habitat for birds and other small mammals and insects.

Old City CemeteryFunds awarded by Keep Virginia Beautiful will help install permanent signage that will provide information about the benefits of native plants for the local ecosystem and watershed.  Signage for Native Garden Trail includes a large sized sign with introduction to why planting Natives is important, and three medium-sized signs along the trail to educate trail visitors about adding a fresh water source to their gardens, providing protected areas for pollinators to nest, the importance of NOT spraying any chemicals.  There will also be twenty small-sized signs will identify the Natives planted along the way.

Old City Cemetery is one of the most visited places in Lynchburg, and it is anticipated that more events along the trail will be planned.

Thank you for the beauty and education the native plant garden and trail will provide for residents and visitors!

Logo for FOLAR

$1,000 Green Grant Goes to Friends of the Lower Appomattox River

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Logo for FOLARFriends of the Lower Appomattox Reiver are awarded $1,000 Green Grant to combat invasive species along the Appomattox River in Petersburg, as one of thirty awards being announced in June for our 12th Annual Green Grants Program.

The mission of FOLAR (Friends of the Lower Appomattox River) is to conserve and protect the Appomattox River for all to enjoy. They will focus on a bigger picture that involves developing awareness, cooperation, community support and public policy, and the overall economic strength of the region.

Building on FOLAR’s success in extending the Appomattox River Trail in Petersburg, FOLAR is launching a strategic, sustainable invasive species management program that will help to save trees and native plant communities, restore habitat that improves water quality, and engage community members in environmental education and stewardship through volunteerism.

The riverfront has had a strong industrial history and ownership, and much of the river/shoreline has been altered, making the area susceptible to invasive species and reduction of native plant communities, increased erosion, and neglected land management adversely affecting the composition and quality of the tree canopy and quality of the river. With such an enormous service area and a small staff, FOLAR’s Invasive Species Management Program will have an initial focus on river the City of Petersburg.

The Green Grant project includes developing a standing volunteer program that supports invasive plant removal, education, and strengthening native plant habitats. Grant funds will be used to purchase equipment and supplies needed for volunteers to remove invasive species that are choking native plants and trees in areas such as University Blvd Trailhead, Patton Park, and Rotary Park at Pocahontas Island.  All of these focus areas include bicycle and pedestrian trails and public river accesses for wading, fishing, and paddling.

Congratulations FOLAR!  We’ll be looking to see some pictures of the improvements you’re making for the Appomattox River Trail and the people who enjoy using it!

Wildflowers in field

Friends of Forest Hill Park Awarded a $500 Green Grant

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Wildflowers in fieldFriends of Forest Hill Park is awarded e a $500 Green Grant from Keep Virginia Beautiful to create a Demonstration Garden, as one of the grants awarded throughout Virginia in June as part of Keep Virginia Beautiful’s 12th Annual “Green Grants” Program.

Friends of Forest Hill Park is a nonprofit organization with a mission to encourage and safeguard responsible use and care of the park.  They work in collaboration with the Richmond Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities, and aim to promote a broader understanding and knowledge of the park’s history as one of the oldest public gathering places in Richmond.

The garden will consist of native herbaceous plants and woody native shrubs. The designated, cleared site is in the southeast corner of the park and next to a large, (granite) stone pyramid. The pyramid has stood in the park for many decades, yet it is a relatively unknown amenity. The area is accessible by a short, level, unpaved pathway connecting to an asphalt pathway used by walkers and bikers. Thus, the area is easily accessible to visitors on foot, bicycle or via city bus line. A native plant garden near the pyramid would make this area a gathering place, and it would incorporate these aspects of placemaking: streets and walkways; architecture; sustainability and resilience; public health.

Native plants will create local habitat and food (pollen, nectar, berries) for native insects, bird species, and other wildlife. Most of the plants selected are deer-resistant and provide multi-season interest. The project will create an aesthetically pleasing collection of native, flowering plants/shrubs which can be enjoyed by people who visit the park for recreation and mental wellbeing. Plants will be labeled so that local residents can become familiar with and grow more native plants in their own gardens.

Congratulations to the Friends of Forest Hill Park — thank you for the beautiful work you’re doing!

Hands all together

$1,000 Grant Goes to Virginia Community Voice

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Hands all togetherCongratulations to Virginia Community Voice being selected by the panel of judges as one of the thirty grants being awarded in our 2022 Green Grant Program!

The mission of Virginia Community Voice is to equip neighbors in marginalized communities to realize their vision for their neighborhoods and prepare institutions to respond effectively. Their vision is a Commonwealth where decisions are made equitably.

For the “Youth-led Creative Placemaking in South Richmond” project, approximately a dozen Black and Latine youth between ages 14-18 living on the Richmond Highway Corridor will participate. The RHC is a historically marginalized community, with lower incomes, higher poverty, and poorer life outcomes than the rest of Richmond. Richmond’s Southside has been designated as a heat desert with lower tree canopy and less public green space than other areas of the city. RHC’s youth come from modest-income homes, with no creative placemaking programs available to them with the exception of programs through Virginia Community Voice.

The Green Grant Community Beautification project will involve youth in the development and design of artwork for Broad Rock Creek Park, a newly designated city park in South Richmond. Youth will work with artist co-leads to design and install art on topics relevant to them and their vision for Southside as a whole and for the park.  Grant funds will be used to purchase supplies for planning and designing the mural, as well as for paint, paintbrushes, spray paint, painter’s tape, stencils to complete the artwork.

Artist co-leads will facilitate conversation and design activities, encouraging youth to take the lead on art and space design. Youth will create public art installations in the new park, will learn about the historical significance of greenspace and how to create inviting public spaces that are inclusive of people of all ages, identities, abilities and language.

In addition to the completion of this creative placemaking project, we will measure youth’s increase in civic advocacy skills. Civic advocacy skills will be measured by pre- and post-surveys and conversations asking about knowledge of different ways to engage with communities and public officials, and self-efficacy for advocacy.

Good luck completing your artwork at Broad Rock Creek Park this summer, we can’t wait to see the beautiful mural that the youth of Richmond Highway Corridor will create!

Ridge Logo

Ridge Elementary is Awarded $1,000 Green Grant

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Ridge LogoThe Ridge Elementary School PTA today’s award for a $1,000 Green Grant for their application in the Recycling Category.  We continue to award thirty grants throughout Virginia, announcing one each day in June.

The Ridge Elementary PTA supports Ridge Elementary in Henrico County, Virginia.  Ridge is a diverse school where the student population represents over 30 countries and over 20 languages are spoken.

The school and PTA saw a need for water bottle refill stations at Ridge Elementary.  Newer schools are now built with this type of water station, but Ridge was built in the 1920’s and has not had a renovation since the 1970’s.  The filling stations will be used by both students and staff, and would discourage the use of single-use plastic bottles of water.  Furthermore, the new water stations will be the only filtered water in the school, which is safer and healthier for all.

Funds awarded by Keep Virginia Beautiful would be used to cover most of the expense of purchasing two water refill stations. The PTA will be able to supplement the remainder, and County facilities and maintenance would install the stations at no additional cost.Water bottle being refilled

The expectation is that the filling station will increase water consumption because it will make water more accessible, and a novelty for students to fill their own reusable bottles.  Drinking more water is part of the school’s Wellness Plan.  Ridge Elementary will also save money by eliminating the purchase of bottled water at faculty and staff meetings.

Carrying your own water bottle to refill at school saves money for families too!  Congratulations Ridge, you’re teaching your students good habits that are healthy for the kids and the environment!

Zoo logo

First Green Grant Award Goes to Mill Mountain Zoo

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Snow LeopardCongratulations to the Mill Mountain Zoo, in Roanoke, who was chosen to receive a $1,000 award for our first Green Grant award for 2022!  The Zoo submitted a proposal in the Community Beautification grant category for the installation of a moss wall next to the Zoo’s Lynx exhibit area, as part of Keep Virginia Beautiful’s 12th Annual Green Grants Program.

It is the first of thirty grants to be awarded throughout Virginia in June.

The Mill Mountain Zoo promotes education and wildlife conservation while maintaining the highest standards of animal welfare in the nation.  The Zoo is home to approximately 150 different animals.  Green walls provide many benefits to the environment, including naturally cooling external air, mitigating air pollution, and supplying natural thermal insulation for the interior of the buildings to which they are attached.  They will also provide a healthy, aesthetically pleasing experience for guests as they enjoy the Zoo grounds.

Mill Mountain Zoo’s Green Wall Expansion Project includes planting flowers and greenery and the creation of a mountain scene with a wooden frame to represent the Mill Mountain Star; and a colorful wall of moss designed in a flowing pattern along the length of the exterior restroom wall.Zoo logo

In a typical year, the Zoo serves 15,000 children through educational programming and events in 24 school districts throughout the region – including diverse, underserved, and marginalized populations.  These programs are available to schools and homeschoolers, retirement homes, libraries, churches, and more.

We can’t wait to see the results of Mill Mountain Zoo’s green wall, and hope that you’ll visit them and support this unique green project.  Congratulations!

06-07-2020 Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions

Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions is Awarded $1,000

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Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions, in Fairfax County, will receive a grant award of $1000 for its Recycling project.

FACS is a non-partisan organization that creates interfaith partnerships in Northern Virginia to develop local solutions to climate crisis. They established a powerful program that has collected more than 1,500 pounds of plastic bags and film, working with three faith communities in an initial 2019 to 2020 pilot program. Instead of ending up in landfills or poisoning our waterways and oceans, the plastic film is recycled into decking and outdoor furniture by Trex, Inc. FACS will use their funds to promote and support their network of faith communities to start recycling programs throughout Northern Virginia.

Less plastic in the landscape and more Trex benches — it’s a win-win for this award winner!