McNeill Park, 204 Library St. Carriere, MS 39426

Keep Mississippi Beautiful and Keep Pearl River County Beautiful will host Mississippi’s 2023 Great American Cleanup® Kickoff on May 10, 2023. Starting at 8:30 a.m., volunteers from around the county and the state will work on planting beds, painting, and revitalizing structures in the park.

The Keep America Beautiful® Great American Cleanup® is the nation’s largest community improvement program taking place annually in an estimated 20,000 communities nationwide.

We invite everyone to join the fun. Lunch will be prepared by some of Pearl River County’s finest!. RSVP to the Pearl River County Beautiful Facebook page or call 601-273-2322.

MDOT receives State Agency Partnership Award from Keep America Beautiful

Submit by March 3, 2021

For over 25 years, Keep Mississippi Beautiful has recognized partners, volunteers, and programs through our annual awards program. Each of our 59 affiliates is asked to submit one or more award applications each year. This is one requirement to be in the Keep Mississippi Beautiful Circle of Excellence. Individuals and groups may also submit nominations: please work with your local affiliate to let them know of your interest in applying for an award, if you have a Keep Mississippi Beautiful affiliate in your area. Check our website for a list of affiliates.

Applications may be found under Affiliate Resources on this website. Applications are due by March 3, 2023. Please contact our office with questions at 601-853-4441.

Good luck and thank you for helping our state BE BEAUTIFUL!

Please register by January 14, 2023

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSefiI1TRzQ97W-XEe_4fJ2qyLtheYP-fZ1-QnWpWg3vH41ksw/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1&flr=0

Keep Birmingham Beautiful is thrilled to be hosting the annual Keep Alabama Beautiful/ Keep Mississippi Beautiful Conference in Birmingham, Alabama. This year’s conference will be packed with amazing tools to increase your impact in your communities.  The conference will take place at the beautiful Birmingham Botanical Gardens on January 26-27, 2023. We welcome all Keep Alabama Beautiful and Keep Mississippi Beautiful affiliates.  Please complete the registrations below no later than Thursday January 11, 2023.  Event Dates January 26-27, 2023  Event Location: Birmingham Botanical Gardens  Event Address: 2612 Lane Park Rd 35223   Hotel Information:Hampton Inn Birmingham/ Mountain Brook Address: 2731 US-280, Birmingham, AL 35223 Phone: (205) 870-7822  Room Rates are $109 Per Night Rooms must be reserved by January 14, 2023 Group Name: Keep Alabama and Mississippi Beautiful  https://www.hilton.com/en/attend-my-event/bhmmbhx-kab-2318d7ce-f0a4-47d1-8154-de98d4ab1040/ You can also book by calling the hotel at (205) 870-7822 and request a reservation for the Keep Alabama and Mississippi Beautiful room block.    Check-In Time is 3pm and Check-Out is Noon. For any questions contact Sa’de McClaney-Hammond at (205) 254-2662 or kbb@birminghamal.gov

What:  President & CEO Jenny Lawson will kick off the meeting on President’s Day, February 20th at 4 PM with a Welcome Reception to follow. The conference will conclude on Thursday, the 23rd.

When:  Monday, February 20th to Thursday, February 23rd       

Where: Washington Hilton / 1919 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC.

Tuesday Keynote:
Leslie Crutchfield, author, social change strategist, educator, and Executive Director of Business for Impact at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business will join us on Tuesday, February 21. Leslie has authored three books: How Change Happens (2018); Do More Than Good (2011); and Forces for Good (2007). Following her opening keynote, Ms. Crutchfield will lead a workshop outlining the “Six Factors that Distinguish Successful Movements in How Change Happens.” Learn more about Leslie here.

Conference Registration Details:
The Early Bird registration deadline is January 9th. Highlights of our exciting and developing agenda with great keynote information, travel details, and activities can be found here: NC2023.

Washington Hilton Details:
It is recommended that you book your room early by following the link here: Washington Hilton/KAB National Conference* or by calling (202) 483-3000. The room rate is $187.00, plus taxes and fees.

Questions? Please contact April Wennerstrom,
Director of Training at awennerstrom@kab.org.

*Peak night availability begins on Monday, February 20th.

Though the Washington Hilton may offer a few shoulder nights pre- and post-conference 

as a courtesy, the main conference will be held Monday afternoon through Thursday afternoon.

Thankfulness shows gratitude to others. It also makes each of us feel better – warming our spirits, lifting our moods, and even helping our health improve over time. What’s even better than giving thanks? For us, it’s giving thanks while going green – call it a ‘Thanksgreening!’ Here are a few eco-friendly tips to add sustainability to your holiday menu Decorate with nature. Bring fragrant beauty into your home with pine branches, pinecones, acorns, and colorful fallen leaves. And after the holidays, these decorations can all be returned to nature! Shop locally. Try shopping at a farmer’s market near you. Local foods require less transportation and tend to be grown on smaller farms using more sustainable practices.  Reduce food waste. Tons of food will be scraped into the garbage this weekend. Cook and serve quantities aimed at reducing food waste. If able, compost leftovers that won’t be eaten. Send us your favorite recipes! We know Mississippi has some of the best in the nation! Happy Thanksgiving from Keep Mississippi Beautiful

ABOUT AMERICA RECYCLES DAY

It is the only nationally-recognized day dedicated to promoting and celebrating recycling in the United States! Held on and around November 15, America Recycles Day educates and encourages individuals on how to be more mindful of what they consume, where and how to properly recycle, and to pledge to recycle more and recycle right in their everyday lives.  

Focusing on individual action, the day highlights the actions we can all take to collectively address the challenges facing our nation’s recycling system. Through ARD, Keep America Beautiful and its partners inspire communities and individuals to recognize the economic, environmental, and social benefits of recycling. Keep America Beautiful urges people to pledge to reduce, reuse, repurpose and recycle in every aspect of their life. The #BeRecycled pledge is a promise to actively choose to live a recycled lifestyle by: 

1. Recycling at home, work, school and on the go; 
2. Buying products made with recycled content; and 
3. Educating and encouraging friends, family, and neighbors to take the #BeRecycled pledge 

Aside from the #BeRecycled Pledge, people can be part of the recycling solution by participating or hosting their own America Recycles Day event. Events can be scheduled at any time during the fall leading into the official America Recycles Day celebration, Nov. 15. Keep America Beautiful encourages all participants and event organizers to follow state and local health guidelines pertaining to the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Sponsors of this year’s America Recycles Day include Title Sponsor Cox Enterprises, International Bottled Water Association (IBWA), and BlueTriton.  

Keep Mississippi Beautiful Affiliates Encouraged to Apply

When:  February 20-22, 2023
Where:  Washington Hilton / 1919 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC. 
Conference registration and hotel registration links will be available soon. Book your room by following the link here: Washington Hilton/KAB National Conference

Call for Presentations:
Are you interested in presenting a topic, sharing your knowledge in a future KAB Webinar, or facilitating a session at the 2023 Keep America Beautiful National Conference? KAB seeks new and seasoned affiliate leaders and presenters to lead and facilitate engaging educational sessions on the latest trends and emerging topics within our network. 

We encourage interested parties to apply to present a topic that will inform community leaders about proven practices and innovative programs, as well as motivate attendees to pursue excellence and professionalism. Visit us here to submit a proposal, or visit us here to view and print the PDF version prior to applying.

• This is an open-ended and ongoing application.
• Presentations should be 30-45 minutes in length, including at least 10 minutes for interaction. 
• We encourage all National Award Recipients to consider applying and sharing their knowledge with others. 
• If your proposal is selected for the National Conference, you will be contacted no later than November 11, 2022.

For more information on the conference or to learn more about how to get involved, please contact April Wennerstrom, Director of Training/KAB National Conference here.

WHAT’S THE SCARIEST THING ABOUT HALLOWEEN? THE WASTE.

The October holiday has an impact on the environment due to the mass production of disposable decorations and costumes, as well as candy wrappers, that aren’t recyclable or biodegradable. 

Here are ways to keep Halloween boo-tifully sustainable without sacrificing the fun!

DECK OUT YOUR HAUNTED MANSION WITH LOW (OR ZERO) WASTE DECORATIONS.

You don’t have to break the bank buying new Halloween decorations every year. There are so many natural options and fun DIY projects that you can do with items already in your home! You can look for ideas online, but here are a few to get you started: 

— Beyond pumpkins, use other seasonal food items like gourds, squash, dried corn husks and apples. You can also use dried flowers, twigs and leaves to create a cozy autumn vibe on your porch!

– Upcycle jars or bottles from your kitchen into festive candles and lanterns.

– Use black yarn to create spiderwebs on your walls or prop up white sheets to look like ghosts!

MAKE A WICKEDLY CLEVER COSTUME THAT CAN BE REUSED OR RECYCLED!

Homemade costumes are always the party favorites anyway, right? There are so many DIY Halloween costumes you can make from items you already have at home, or by getting a little creative with recyclable supplies.

If you’re not the DIY type, consider doing a costume swap with friends, raiding someone’s closet or checking out a secondhand thrift store in your neighborhood! 

COMPOST THOSE JACK-O-LANTERNS! 

When you’re ready to toss your pumpkins and gourds, remember to compost them instead of adding them to your trash. Composting is a great way to add nutrient-rich soil to your garden. 

STAMFORD, Conn. (August 1, 2022) – Keep America Beautiful^®, the nation’s leading community improvement nonprofit organization, has recognized 26 community organizations and individuals through its 2021 National Awards program.

The Keep America Beautiful National Awards program celebrates the work of its nearly 700 community-based affiliates, millions of volunteers and participants, and corporate and community partners for their commitment to end littering, improve recycling, and beautify America’s communities.

Winners were selected in the following categories:

• Individual Achievement Awards: Lady Bird Johnson Award; Sue Smith Professional Leadership Award
• Innovation Awards: State and Local Affiliate Innovation Awards
• State Agency Partnership Recognition Awards

“Recognizing and honoring our affiliates, state agencies, and individuals each year is so important, as they are the backbone of our daily work to clean, green, and beautify communities across America,” said Keep America Beautiful President and CEO, Jennifer Lawson. “These awardees exemplify putting communities first, teamwork, and a genuine desire to ensure that everyone lives in a beautiful community. Congratulations and thank you to the 2021 award recipients!”

The Keep America Beautiful Innovation Award salutes affiliates that have created innovative partnerships and programs to further the mission of Keep America Beautiful. The Innovation Awards are intended to honor true innovation. These are unique ideas or methods and/or creative or non-traditional approaches to solving challenges. The Innovation Awards recognize new approaches that help facilitate growth within an organization. An innovative partnership or program may be original in concept or may be the development of novel and different methods of established partnerships or programs.

Innovation Awards for 2021 are awarded to the following:

• Keep Ridgeland Beautiful (MS) – Local Partnership
• Keep Orlando Beautiful (FL) – Local Program
• Keep Indian River Beautiful (FL) – Local Partnership
• Keep Coral Gables Beautiful (FL) – Local Program
• Keep Charlotte Beautiful (FL) – Local Partnership
• Keep Irving Beautiful (TX) – Local Program
• Keep Brevard Beautiful (FL) – Local Partnership
• Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful (GA) – Local Program
• Keep Indianapolis Beautiful (IN) – Local Program
• Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful (PA) – State Partnership
• Keep Tennessee Beautiful (TN) – State Program

The Keep America Beautiful State Agency Partnership Recognition National Award honors state Departments of Transportation, Environmental Quality, and/or other state agencies for their support of Keep America Beautiful State Affiliates. These are the partners that help our State Affiliates get the job done, and Keep America Beautiful is grateful for their support and partnership.

State Agency Partnership Awards for 2021 are awarded to the following:

• Caltrans – California Department of Transportation – Keep California Beautiful  
• Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality – Keep Oklahoma Beautiful    
• Oklahoma Department of Transportation – Keep Oklahoma Beautiful   
• Oklahoma Turnpike Authority – Keep Oklahoma Beautiful   
• Oklahoma Forestry Department – Keep Oklahoma Beautiful  
• PA Department of Environmental Protection – Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful 
• PA Department of Transportation – Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful 
• TN State Parks – Keep Tennessee Beautiful 
• Tennessee Department of Tourist Development – Keep Tennessee Beautiful 
• TN Department of Transportation – Keep Tennessee Beautiful 
• Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks – Keep Mississippi Beautiful 
• Mississippi Department of Transportation – Keep Mississippi Beautiful 
• Mississippi Department University Extension – Keep Mississippi Beautiful 

Congratulations to the 2021 National Award winners from Keep America Beautiful and thank you for your hard work and commitment to ensure everyone lives in a beautiful community.