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KPB Welcomes Board Members
We are excited to welcome two board members to our team. Their terms began October 1, 2024, the start of our new fiscal year.
Kelsey DeMerlis currently serves as Director, Center for Community Services at the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED). In addition to working with DCED, Kelsey was previously employed with the City of Philadelphia, the Philadelphia Youth Network and is a proud graduate from Penn State University. Kelsey is also a board member for the Clean Air Council and Sunday Breakfast Club. She lives in Philadelphia and is enthusiastic about PA facts and travel.
Wesley Robinson is the Press Secretary for the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Wesley has also served as press Secretary and Communications Manager for the Pennsylvania State Senate.
Please join us in welcoming Kelsey and Wesley. With their unique blend of experience, expertise, and energy, they bring fresh perspectives and innovative leadership to our mission. Their diverse backgrounds and direction will be instrumental as we strive to empower Pennsylvanians to keep our communities clean and beautiful.
Summit for Community Stewardship Bridging Action, Infrastructure, Policy and Innovation October 16 & 17 at Hilton Scranton
It's not too late to join Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, affiliates, volunteers and state agency and community partners as we shine a spotlight on Scranton and build on and celebrate our collective efforts to improve our communities across Pennsylvania. We're looking forward to seeing you!
October 16 1 PM - 4 PM| Walking Tour of Scranton Environmental Improvements, including examples of year-round greening, pollinator gardens, urban murals and a stop at the Christopher A. Doherty Park, a brownfield turned community asset.
October 17 Summit 8 AM - 4 PM BREAKOUT SESSIONS INCLUDE:
Litter in Waterways & Marine Debris Infrastructure | Workshop: Audit of Volunteer Litter Control Programs on Pennsylvania Roadways | Strategic Partnerships for Education | Economic Levers to Improve Your Community
Volunteers participate in Erie's annual International Coastal Cleanup.
Pick Up Pennsylvania Supporting the Ocean Conservancy's International Coastal Cleanup
Looking for a fun and impactful way to make a difference? Pick Up Pennsylvania is your chance to join groups and individuals across the nation and the world in a massive cleanup effort as part of the Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup. This global initiative unites people to remove trash from beaches and waterways, but it doesn’t stop there. Land cleanups are equally crucial to prevent litter from ever reaching our precious waters.
Why Participate?
Beautify Your Community: Enjoy the immediate visual rewards of a cleaner environment.
Protect Wildlife: Remove hazards that endanger animals and their habitats.
Foster Community Pride: Strengthen bonds with neighbors and inspire others to take action.
Be a Change Maker: Your efforts can spark a ripple effect, encouraging more people to join the cause.
Taking care of the places we love not only enhances their beauty but also creates safer, healthier spaces for everyone. So, grab your friends, family, or colleagues and be part of something bigger. Together, we can make a lasting impact!
Get Involved Today! Visit our website to learn about hosting an event, joining an event near you or to inquire about free supplies or contact Michelle Dunn, Pick Up Pennsylvania Program Coordinator. Pick Up Pennsylvania is funded by PA Department of Environmental Protection.
Litter Control Booms Continue to Limit Litter from Entering Presque Isle Bay
A press event was held recently at the Erie-Western Pennsylvania Port Authority. Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful and the Erie Western PA Port Authority discussed the consequences of litter, including cigarette and tobacco related litter in and around Presque Isle Bay and Lake Erie and prevention strategies implemented including: the installation of litter control booms at Presque Isle Bay, the dissemination of litter prevention educational materials and the dissemination of portable ashtrays.
With funding from the PA Department of Environmental Protection’s Coastal Resources Management Program, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful collaborated with Erie-Western PA Port Authority, Lakeshore Towing Services, Inc., Regional Science Consortium at TREC, Gannon University, City of Erie, Keep Erie County Beautiful, Erie County Department of Planning, and Erie County Conservation District to install and monitor two booms at points of stormwater discharge. Thus far, they have been quite successful. Read more.
Community Groups Complete Projects Focused on Food Waste Prevention, Reduction, and Recovery
We are so happy to share the final report for the 2023 round of Healing the Planet grants, our third of four years of funding to date! Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful in partnership with The GIANT Company awarded $300,000 with grants ranging from $2,500 up to $20,000. Eligible projects had to be in The GIANT Company’s operating areas. Funding for the grants was provided by customers at GIANT, MARTIN'S and GIANT Heirloom Market stores who rounded up their grocery purchase to the nearest dollar from March through May. See the final report here.
KPB Welcomes New Affiliate
Keep Monroe County Beautiful will be housed within and operate as a program of the Monroe County Municipal Waste Management Authority.
The Waste Authority works closely with public, private and civic partners to support litter prevention and abatement through infrastructure, educational programs and community cleanups. The affiliation will further enhance beautification and greening efforts through partnerships with township parks, Monroe County Conservation District, Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau and various watershed associations, land trusts and environmental councils. enhanced.
Salena Borsuk, Integrated Solid Waste and Recycling Program Coordinator forMonroe County Municipal Waste Management Authority, will serve as the coordinator and point person for the Keep Monroe County Beautiful affiliate programs. Salena can be reached at 570-643-6100 or sborsuk@thewasteauthority.com.
Your donation means everything to us and the communities we serve!
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