Today’s winner is the Dan River Basin Association!  They are receiving $750 in the Litter Prevention category.

The Dan River Basin Association(DRBA) is going to launch a unique anti-litter campaign along the Smith River in Henry County.  The banks of the river are littered with styrofoam bait cups, snack wrappers, discarded cans, and tangled fishing line.  Much has been made about this issue in the local media, and the county is seriously considering installing cameras in order to identify and hopefully prosecute the litterbugs.  The DRBA, however, has a much better and clever idea.

They feel, and we agree, that the best way to combat litter is to start with children.  Engaging children in fighting litter trickles UP!  They learn the importance of Keeping Virginia Beautiful and get their parents involved as well.  If one child is doing it, every child will want to, and no family wants to be left out!  The DRBA is partnering with the Henry County Public Schools to create an Art/Slogan Contest.  They will use artwork and slogans designed by Henry County students for an anti-litter campaign.  The winning entries will be used on signage, t-shirts, caps, stickers, and other items that will be distributed all over the area.  Henry County is proposing to use the artwork on their new garbage trucks, so as they travel the county it will be a reminder to NOT LITTER!  Henry County students will have a sense of accomplishment for having an impact, have the pride of seeing their artwork and words across the county, and will receive valuable education about the litter problem along the Smith River.

The DRBA is also holding a county-wide event along the Smith River to get some hands dirty and clean up some of the litter that is already there.  They think that this campaign, and engaging all of these children, will have a huge impact on the problem, will bring a large number of people to the clean up, and maybe even attract some media!  Folks who live along the Smith River in Henry County will feel a tremendous sense of pride in their community and their youngsters.

Dan River Basin Association to Fight Litter Keep Virginia Beautiful - To engage and unite Virginians to improve our natural and scenic environment.

KVB provided the opportunity for government, non-profit and/or service organizations in Virginia to apply for one of thirty grants ranging from $500 to $1,000 in three different categories:  Beautification, Litter Prevention, and Recycling.  These grants are made possible by KVB partners – Capital One, Waste Management and Lowe’s.

The Chesapeake Arboretum currently boasts approximately 47 acres of urban forest highlighted by 3 specialty trails — including the Native Woodland Garden area, which was dedicated on April 2, 2011 to the memory of their late President, Jean Marie Eagler.  This Native Woodland Garden Area needs colorful enhancement to reach its full potential and they seek to install more showy native woodland flowers, shrubs and vines.  Volunteers from the Chesapeake Master Gardeners and the Virginia Native Plant Society (among many other volunteers) stand ready to install these plant materials as it becomes available to them.  Most of the current stock has been donated, but there are many species and varieties that would make the Native Woodland Garden Area truly stand-out.  While the Native Woodland Garden Area is already popular with visitors “as is”, we expect the enhancements to provide not only much-improved aesthetic appeal, but also expanded opportunities for educational outreach as a demonstration area with eco-friendly educational signage along the 3 trails.

The mission at Keep Virginia Beautiful is to engage and unite Virginians to improve our natural and scenic environment through 5 impact areas: Litter Prevention, Waste Reduction, Recycling, Beautification, and Environmental Education.

Chesapeake Arboretum adding color with Grant Keep Virginia Beautiful - To engage and unite Virginians to improve our natural and scenic environment.

Keep Virginia Beautiful provided the opportunity for government, non-profit and/or service organizations in Virginia to apply for one of thirty grants ranging from $500 to $1,000 in three different categories:  Beautification, Litter Prevention, and Recycling.  These grants are made possible by our generous partners – Capital One, Waste Management and Lowe’s.

As a service project in 2006, a local church planted the Better Together Garden in Joseph Bryan Park in Richmond.  With Friends of Bryan Park’s (FoBP) help, four beds were created, a gravel path was laid out and trees were planted.  Unfortunately, the church was unable to maintain the garden after the first couple of years and the garden is now in need of a tremendous amount of restoration.  FoBP plan is to restore and enhance this garden by planting native sun loving species that will attract butterflies, pollinating insects and birds.  With the help of the Riverine Chapter of the Virginia Master Naturalists, Friends of Bryant Park and its many volunteers will work tirelessly through the spring and fall to restore this once beautiful garden and create a natural habitat that can be enjoyed by all of Mother Nature’s creatures great and small.  Additionally, visitors will learn that planting natives is a win-win proposition for both the beauty of a garden and their sustainability for the environment.

The mission at Keep Virginia Beautiful is to engage and unite Virginians to improve our natural and scenic environment through 5 impact areas:  Litter Prevention, Waste Reduction, Recycling, Beautification, and Environmental Education.

Friends Getting Bryan Park Greener with Grant Keep Virginia Beautiful - To engage and unite Virginians to improve our natural and scenic environment.

We at Keep Virginia Beautiful provided the opportunity for government, non-profit and/or service organizations in Virginia to apply for one of 30 grants in 30 days, ranging from $500 to $1,000 in three different categories: Beautification, Litter Prevention, and Recycling.  These grants are made possible by our generous partners – Capital One, Waste Management and Lowe’s.

The CPDC developed and own the Stoney Brook Apartments in Alexandria, a 204 multi-family unit community of low income residents.  CPDC’s community building model incorporates five essential elements of community development: economic development, resident engagement, health and wellness, education, and green living.  CPCD plans to use this grant money along with community partner donations to start the Stoney Brook Community Garden.  This community garden will provide residents with many fundamental benefits, including; the establishment of a direct connection with nature, forming a relationship with neighbors and community members, the opportunity to develop a communal space for people to learn, share, create and enjoy gardening, and creation of a sustainable healthy and active lifestyle.  In addition, this garden is a new venture in a continual effort to convert the property into an environmentally friendly community.  The vision for the community garden is to create and foster a sense of community through gardening for the residents of Stoney Brook Apartments.  76% of the residents support the addition of a garden to the community’s common space and many are extremely excited about the opportunity to get involved.

Our mission at Keep Virginia Beautiful is to engage and unite Virginians to improve our natural and scenic environment through 5 impact areas: Litter Prevention, Waste Reduction, Recycling, Beautification, and Environmental Education.

CPDC Gets Seed Money for Garden Keep Virginia Beautiful - To engage and unite Virginians to improve our natural and scenic environment.

Luray has recently progressed from a small town into an event and tourist destination.  The Festival of Spring will be held on May 12th and draws more than 5,000 visitors to town.  In addition, the town will host the annual Luray Triathlon on August 18th & 19th with last year resulting in over 1,400 participants and an estimated 6,000 visitors.  2012 is especially an exciting time for the town’s visitors and citizens with over 40 events already planned, in addition to the town’s 200th Anniversary celebration.  Currently, the town owns about twelve recycling bins that are set up at each event.  These portable bins allow the town to reduce refuse by providing an easy and convenient location for recycling thereby helping maintain the natural beauty in the Shenandoah Valley.  In order to continue this important litter prevention and recycling program, Luray will purchase several more bins and bags.  The need for this is great, as Luray has already initiated a strong town-wide recycling program at NO COST to town citizens.  In addition, the presence of these portable containers at all events will only solidify the Town’s commitment to being a true “green” community.

KVB provided the opportunity for government, non-profit and/or service organizations in Virginia to apply for one of thirty grants ranging from $500 to $1,000 in three different categories: Beautification, Litter Prevention, and Recycling. These grants are made possible by KVB partners – Capital One, Waste Management and Lowe’s.

The mission at Keep Virginia Beautiful is to engage and unite Virginians to improve our natural and scenic environment through 5 impact areas: Litter Prevention, Waste Reduction, Recycling, Beautification, and Environmental Education.

Town of Luray Cleans Up with Grant Keep Virginia Beautiful - To engage and unite Virginians to improve our natural and scenic environment.

We provided the opportunity for government, non-profit and/or service organizations in Virginia to apply for one of thirty grants ranging from $500 to $1,000 in three different categories:  Beautification, Litter Prevention, and Recycling. These grants are made possible by KVB partners – Capital One, Waste Management and Lowe’s.

Isle of Wight County recognizes the significant contribution that cigarettes make to the overall amount of litter in the community.  The County established a recycling program called Isle Be Green, which initially focused on plastic bag recycling; however, when the County took over its own recycling in 2010, the program was expanded to become the umbrella for all recycling efforts within the County.  Isle of Wight County will use the KVB grant to place cigarette receptacles throughout the Town of Smithfield by using established partnerships with local businesses.  In addition, the County seeks to create educational materials about cigarette litter and its effects on the environment, tourism, and economic development. Furthermore, they would like to purchase portable ash trays to distribute at various events that Isle Be Green representatives attend.  The County seeks to clean up cigarette litter by focusing on one sector of the County at a time.  Downtown Smithfield is a great place to pilot a sustainable cigarette litter prevention program.

The mission at Keep Virginia Beautiful is to engage and unite Virginians to improve our natural and scenic environment through 5 impact areas: Litter Prevention, Waste Reduction, Recycling, Beautification, and Environmental Education.

Isle of Wight to fight Litter Keep Virginia Beautiful - To engage and unite Virginians to improve our natural and scenic environment.

The students at Buckingham Middle School want to expand their very successful garden project from spring 2011 to include fruit bearing trees, additional raised beds and a small greenhouse.  This hands-on opportunity enforces the SOL curriculum of photosynthesis, water cycle, producers/consumers/decomposers and food production through real life skills.  In addition, gardening students will work collaboratively with special needs students and take personal and school pride in a job well done.  There are many community partners involved in this much anticipated garden addition and the students, staff and parents can’t wait to get their hands dirty.  By involving students in hands-on projects, not only will Buckingham MS be greened up but the skills taught can be carried over to their home lives and even into adulthood.

We provided the opportunity for government, non-profit and/or service organizations in Virginia to apply for one of thirty grants through April and May, ranging from $500 to $1,000 in three different categories: Beautification, Litter Prevention, and Recycling. These grants are made possible by our generous partners – Capital One, Waste Management and Lowe’s.

The mission at Keep Virginia Beautiful is to engage and unite Virginians to improve our natural and scenic environment through 5 impact areas: Litter Prevention, Waste Reduction, Recycling, Beautification, and Environmental Education.

Buckingham Middle School Getting Greener with Grant Keep Virginia Beautiful - To engage and unite Virginians to improve our natural and scenic environment.

We provided the opportunity for government, non-profit and/or service organizations in Virginia to apply for one of thirty grants ranging from $500 to $1,000 in three different categories: Beautification, Litter Prevention, and Recycling. These grants are made possible by our generous partners – Capital One, Waste Management and Lowe’s.

Chesapeake Bay Governor’s School for Marine and Environmental Science’s mission is to develop leaders with a respect for environmental issues.  One way to accomplish this mission is to have students begin a plastic bag collection program at two of the local community colleges.  Their student body is made up of gifted and highly motivated high school students who travel to Rappahannock Community College (Warsaw and Glenn’s campuses) to receive dual enrollment credit in a variety of math and science courses.  These two locations provide them with a unique ability to interact and enlighten a large portion of the Tidewater community.  They plan to set up plastic bag collection sites within the student and faculty lounges at both Rappahannock Community College campuses.  They also plan to highlight these collection sites with a weeklong community plastic bag collection challenge to bring in used plastic bags in exchange for reusable shopping bags.  During this week (October 15-19, 2012), the Governor’s School students will display informative posters and pass out fliers aimed to educate the public in the communities of the Northern Neck and the Middle Peninsula about how plastic bags harm the environment, especially Virginia’s most precious natural resource, the Chesapeake Bay.

Our mission at Keep Virginia Beautiful is to engage and unite Virginians to improve our natural and scenic environment through 5 impact areas: Litter Prevention, Waste Reduction, Recycling, Beautification, and Environmental Education.

Chesapeake Bay Governor’s School to Dive In with Grant Keep Virginia Beautiful - To engage and unite Virginians to improve our natural and scenic environment.