Keep Texas Beautiful (KTB), a statewide grassroots environmental and community improvement non-profit organization, recently named the City of The Colony as a Gold Star Affiliate, a designation granted to only 85 of KTB’s nearly 300 affiliates.
This is the second straight year The Colony has earned the honor. Gold Star recognition is the highest membership recognition status any community affiliate can achieve, according to KTB.
“This recognition reflects our community’s continued commitment to environmental sustainability and beautification,” said Mayor Joe McCourry. “I’m proud to say that, year after year, we apply resources to a wide variety of programs and initiatives intended to further those important causes.”
In 2018 alone, KTB affiliates and their local volunteers contributed 198,304 hours to collect more than 4.2 million pounds of waste and recyclables, including 167,689 pounds of electronics and 6,293 pounds of tires. In The Colony, several programs were successfully implemented to help clean up litter, reduce and recycle waste, educate local residents and beautify the community, including but not limited to:
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 economic development and diversity and inclusion practices, or participate in the Keep Texas Beautiful Awards or Governor’s Community Achievement Awards programs, and provide a letter of support from their community.
“We are proud to honor our most active affiliates who have such a large impact on their communities,” says Suzanne Kho, Executive Director of Keep Texas Beautiful. “Our Gold Star Affiliates are educating and engaging the community, actively recruiting and managing volunteers, hosting beautification events throughout their community and so much more. They deserve this great honor.”
KTB will formally recognize Gold Star communities during its 52nd annual conference in Rockwall, which will be held June 18-20.
About Keep Texas Beautiful
Keep Texas Beautiful is an Austin-based network of dedicated Texans working together to make our state the best place to live, work and play. KTB equips local partners and affiliates with the tools they need to build vibrant, engaged communities. Founded in 1967, Keep Texas Beautiful has over 50 years of experience deploying resources for local clean-up, recycling, and youth engagement efforts. As a 501(c)3 nonprofit, KTB leads nearly 300 affiliates and reaches 19 million Texans annually. For information, visit www.ktb.org.