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Virginia Green Travel Alliance

Eco Maniac Company mobile unit

Virginia Green Travel Conference Held in Virginia Beach

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Awards ceremony with Joel Rubin, Dan Baxter, Rita McClenny, Cristi LawtonLast week was a fantastic opportunity for Keep Virginia Beautiful to partner for the first time with Virginia Green Travel Alliance to host the Virginia Green Travel Conference at the Virginia Beach Convention Center.

It was a natural fit because we are a statewide organization that engages Virginians to improve the natural and scenic environment of the Commonwealth, and VGTA is a statewide organization that gives the information, tools, and certification for businesses to learn and implement sustainable practices.

The keynote speaker on the first day of the conference was Jenny Lawson, CEO of Keep America Beautiful.  In addition to all that KAB is doing and the resources they provide for communities and businesses, she presented the Model for Change as the best tool we have to make our communities clean, green, and beautiful places to live.

The second day’s keynote speaker was Erik Hansen, US Travel Association.  He spoke about the Association’s newly formed Sustainable Tourism Coalition, which is comprised of members representing all sectors of the travel industry that will guide and shape policy relating to sustainability.

Eco Maniac Company mobile unitIn between those two days were workshops presented by experts on topics such as the economic value of sustainability, the status of recycling, and other guests that are the who’s-who in the tourism industry.  There was also an ongoing Business Expo with vendors available to learn more about sustainable practices and business, as well as the chance to purchase sustainable products on the Eco Maniac Company mobile unit, and to pick up freebies at informational tables.

But perhaps the highlight was the awards ceremony featuring the Virginia Green Star Awards that are given annually to recognize people and organizations who are with the GREENEST tourism businesses in the Commonwealth.  They also welcomed Busch Gardens as a recently certified Virginia Green Travel Business.  Additionally, this year Keep Virginia Beautiful had the opportunity to present their Green Keepers awards to local Affiliate organizations and individuals who really led the way this year in helping to keep Virginia green!Local food spells "GREEN"

It was inspirational to see so many businesses and individuals focused on the need and ability to be sustainable in today’s world.  The Virginia Beach Convention Center, also a Virginia Green Travel Business, offered washable or recyclable plates, cups, napkins and other green products for attendees.  And the evening’s charcuterie board spelled the letters “GREEN” in fresh, local food!

Lightbulb in soil with ideas for sustainable living

Virginia Green Means Business

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Lightbulb in soil with ideas for sustainable livingIf you own a business, or work for a company in Virginia that is conscientious about being sustainable, you should consider joining (if you haven’t already) the Virginia Green Travel Alliance, who works to support, promote, and continuously educate certified partners as they seek to improve their environmental programs.

Consumers are ready and willing to embrace sustainability in the products and services they use.  Research by IBM in 2022 reports that the demand for sustainable consumer goods is on the rise, with 3 out of 5 consumers saying socially responsible or sustainable products made up at least half of their last purchase, and that 2 out of 3 respondents say they are more willing to apply for (67%) and accept (68%) jobs from a sustainable company.

The report also indicated that roughly 1 in 3 consumers say sustainable travel is a priority, ranking environmental impact factors over cost, convenience, and comfort in their purchase decisions.  Note: you can plan your green vacation in Virginia here!VGTA Logo

What is Virginia doing to support sustainable businesses, and how can you get more involved?

  • Visit the website for Virginia Green to learn more about what they do and how they can help businesses become more environmentally friendly.
  • Join the free monthly forums! Partnering with DEQ, Virginia Greens presents a variety of topics from experts and peers who care about the environment. The next virtual forum is Thursday, January 19th from 2:00-3:00 p.m.  Registration is free here.
  • Plan to attend the Virginia Green Travel Alliance Conference on March 21-22 at the Virginia Beach Conference Center!

Yes, we are thrilled to partner with the Virginia Green Travel Alliance to co-host their 10th annual conference on March 21-22, 2023 in Virginia Beach.  The keynote speaker is Jennifer Lawson, CEO of Keep America Beautiful!  We will connect professionals, offer engaging and informative workshops, and celebrate the work of both organizations and allied partners! You can find more details about the conference and register here.

In the meantime, you can check to see if your favorite places to eat, relax, or shop are a certified Virginia Green business by searching the Virginia Green Business Directory and the Virginia Green Suppliers Network.  And encourage your favorite establishments to become Virginia Green certified to support and grow sustainable businesses and services in Virginia.

We hope to see you at the Virginia Green monthly forums and the Virginia Green conference!

Cartoon sketch of a litterbug

It’s Our 70th Anniversary

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Cartoon sketch of a litterbug
1950’s Litterbug Sketch

Our staff, Board members, and partners are especially excited to greet 2023 because it’s going to be a special year for Keep Virginia Beautiful.  We’re celebrating our 70th Anniversary!  It will be a year full of old and new programs, and plenty of looking back at memories, milestones, and events.  (And just maybe some old black & white photographs too.)

Our organization began as the Virginia Anti-Litterbug Council in 1953 to address the “menacing litter problem” on our highways.  Over the years we’ve partnered with the Department of Highways (now known as VDOT), the Department of Conservation, governors, the Commission of Game and Inland Fisheries (now the Department of Wildlife Resources), and others — as well as scores of volunteers! — to clean up litter in the landscape.  We are recognized as an Affiliate of the nationwide program Keep America Beautiful, and we have a network of local Virginia Affiliates that are making substantial positive impacts in the communities they serve.

But there is still much to be done, and we have a year that will be packed with activities and events to continue our “Anti-Litterbug” efforts!

One of our favorite programs, Green Grants, will kick off in the spring.  Since 2011, Keep Virginia Beautiful has provided $282,000 for 385 programs and projects throughout the state.  Groups of all types and sizes have been awarded $500, $750, or $1,000 to implement their plans to improve our nature and scenic environment through Community Beautification, Recycling, Litter Prevention, and Cigarette Litter Prevention.  Online grant applications will be available in April, and grant award announcements will be made one each day during June.  We’re hoping to have an additional Green Grant funding round in the fall – stay tuned for more details!

The Great American Cleanup is set to run March 20 – June 21, 2023, with Virginia doing its part throughout that time frame.  We’ll be cleaning up with our affiliates around the state, and will give away cleanup kits to get you safely out there picking up litter too wherever you live, work, or play.

We are thrilled to partner with the Virginia Green Travel Alliance to co-host their 10th annual conference from March 21-22, 2023 in Virginia Beach.  The keynote speaker is Jennifer Lawson, CEO of Keep America Beautiful!  We will connect professionals, offer engaging and informative workshops, and celebrate the work of KVB 70th Anniversary Logoboth organizations and allied partners! Learn more about the conference here.

We’re also excited to announce our “Make Beautiful Your Business” Membership Program!  Beautiful is our business and now it can be yours too! This new program engages like-minded businesses and individuals to help preserve the beauty of our Commonwealth. Educational, volunteer, and advocacy opportunities are included. Join anytime and be one of our first 70 Founding Members for added benefits!

This is just the start of some of the ways we’ll be celebrating our 70 years; more details will be released as the year progresses.  But we couldn’t do any of it without our partners, supporters, and volunteers!  Thank you for caring about the natural and scenic environment of Virginia, we’re looking forward to sharing this year with you!