Community News and Resources  |  June 2026
A monthly publication funded by the PA Department of Environmental Protection 

 “When all of those who signed up for the cleanup came to the lobby, I felt proud seeing the small community that I had formed. All of these people from different clubs and homerooms came together for the same reason, and it was nice to know that I was one of the people behind it!” Ryana, 2026 graduate, coordinated her peers to do a litter sweep of their schoolgrounds. She even enrolled her school in the KPB Litter Free School Zone program. 

Young Ambassadors Class of 2026 Graduates

Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, in partnership with PennDOT, celebrated the Young Ambassadors program class of 2026 with a virtual graduation ceremony. The program graduated 24 Ambassadors who committed to nine months of service, while representing and upholding the mission and values of Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful. 

In addition to having opportunities to train and network with industry leaders, partnering organizations, and state agencies, two Ambassadors had the opportunity to participate in job shadowing with Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania funded by the NiSource Charitable Foundation and Dow where they experienced first-hand the day-to-day operations including safety protocols, field service procedures, and infrastructure maintenance, gaining insight in field inspections, equipment handling, and teamwork that will help prepare them for future careers.   

Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful was also proud to award two merit-based scholarships, one to a 2026 Ambassador and one to a program alum, to help support their continuing education plans. 

Young Ambassadors Wanted  

Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, in partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), is seeking environmentally conscious rising 10^th -12^th grade students to help preserve Pennsylvania’s natural resources through the Young Ambassadors of Pennsylvania program. Accepted Ambassadors will train and network with industry leaders, state agencies, local media and the Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful network to build leadership, communication and problem-solving skills. Ambassadors will also complete a community assessment and organize cleanup and education events! 

Applications are due June 10, 2026.

Apply Now

Become a Steward  

Stewards of the State

Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful’s Land and Water Steward Programs empower everyday Pennsylvanians to become stewards of the land and water they cherish. Litter impacts our quality of life, the natural environment and economic development in communities near and far. Caring for our roads, trails, waterways, and shared public spaces benefits everyone. Clean, well-maintained areas not only reduce safety hazards caused by litter—they also create more welcoming environments for residents and visitors alike, while lowering long-term maintenance costs.

We all share the responsibility of keeping our communities clean and beautiful. Join one of our stewardship programs today and help protect the places you love!

Waterway Stewards: Community Science in Action

The Pennsylvania Waterway Steward Program is an initiative designed to engage outdoor enthusiasts, like boaters, anglers, bird watchers, and hikers, in the protection of the state’s rivers, streams, and lakes. Participants become “community scientists,” collecting litter and recording data on waterway health at least twice a year.

Each steward receives a Waterway Cleanup Kit, which includes tools and guidance for safe and effective cleanups. Volunteers are encouraged to choose their own cleanup locations and share their findings and stories online. The data collected is used by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection to assess stream impairment from trash and to inform the development of Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) standards under the Clean Water Act.

Support KPB on Walmart Sparks 

Every time you shop online at Walmart, you can round up and direct Network for Good to support KPB. By selecting KPB and rounding, you’re investing in our programs that support communities across Pennsylvania, from local initiatives to statewide programs. Small change adds up!

House Resolution 352