The local initiative Keep Fort Worth Beautiful has caught statewide attention, clinching the prestigious Gold Star Affiliate from Keep Texas Beautiful for its tireless environmental efforts; this honor marks the pinnacle of recognition that a community group can earn from the environmental nonprofit, Keep Texas Beautiful has praised the Fort Worth affiliate for its dedicated service and remarkable achievements in local conservation and waste management.
In a remarkable community-driven effort throughout 2023, the group rallied over 32,000 volunteers to partake in more than 500 cleanups, these initiatives collectively amassed a staggering 3.7 million pounds of litter, waste, and recyclables from various Texan roads, trails, and water spaces, according to the City of Fort Worth.
Known for its flagship events like the Cowtown Great American Cleanup and Neighborhood Litter Stomp, Keep Fort Worth Beautiful has been crucial in not just beautifying the streets and parks, but also in promoting recycling habits and environmental education amongst the city's residents. They have woven their rhetoric of clean-up and conservation through the very fabric of Fort Worth's communal life, engaging with schools, nonprofits, businesses, and local neighborhood groups continuously.
Avery Pesek, a representative of Keep Fort Worth Beautiful, expressed his pride with the volunteers' dedication, stating, "Keep Fort Worth Beautiful is dedicated to making our community the best place to live, work and play. We’re proud of our volunteers for making Fort Worth a more beautiful place by reducing litter, promoting recycling and partnering with us to support our local environment," his enthusiasm reveals the communal spirit that the organization thrives on and that has earned them such distinction, as per the City of Fort Worth.
Scoring the Gold Star status requires community support and an organized skill set. Detailed in providing insights into their mission, answering questions around economic development diversity, and inclusion practices, and even a supportive nod from their own community's letters, Keep Fort Worth Beautiful's approach reflects a combined effort that touched all these aspects. Something that Keep Texas Beautiful will formally acknowledge at their June conference.
