Keep Texas Beautiful (KTB), a statewide grassroots environmental and community improvement organization, recently named the City of The Colony as a Gold Star Affiliate, a designation conferred on just 65 of KTB’s nearly 400 affiliates in 2018.
Gold Star recognition is the highest status any community affiliate can achieve. In 2017 alone, KTB affiliates and their local volunteers contributed 92,250 hours to collect more than 1.6 million pounds of waste, including 3,268 pounds of tires and 136,296 pounds of recycling. In earning its Gold Star, the City of The Colony successfully implemented programs to clean up litter, reduce and recycle waste, educate its residents and beautify and enhance the community.
Over the course of the last year, the City has conducted its annual Spring and Fall Clean-Up events; a community-wide clean-up event on Make A Difference Day; installed a Monarch Butterfly Waystation along the Shoreline Trail in The Tribute; and successfully applied for a pair of grants from local retailers in support of the Volunteer Assistance Program, among other initiatives.
Earning the Gold Star designation is reflective of the community’s ongoing commitment to beautification, The Colony Mayor Joe McCourry said.
“The Colony continually strives to be a clean-and-green community,” he said. “The City Council is proud of the efforts of our Keep The Colony Beautiful board and Community Image staff who spearhead these initiatives to help beautify our city.”
To remain in good standing with KTB, community affiliates must submit a report, pay dues, attend training and participate in a KTB-endorsed activity annually. In 2004, the organization introduced the concept of Gold Star recognition to reward those communities who sought to go above and beyond the established requirements. To achieve this status, affiliates must share information on their mission and goals, answer questions about their waste reduction practices and fundraising efforts or participate in the Keep Texas Beautiful or Governor’s Community Achievement Awards programs, and provide a letter of support from their community.
Founded in 1967, Keep Texas Beautiful is a 501(c)3 nonprofit with 50 years of experience deploying resources for local clean-up, recycling and youth engagement efforts. For more information, visit www.ktb.org.