Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful and its local affiliates recently recognized volunteers and groups across the Commonwealth for their dedication, commitment and exceptional contributions to keeping Pennsylvania beautiful.

There are two different awards-- the Gold Shovel Awards are designed to acknowledge Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful Affiliates and or partners for outstanding program achievement and the Local Affiliate Volunteers of the Year Awards nominated by the local affiliates themselves.

This year’s recipients of the Gold Shovel Awards are--

-- Clean It!-- Rothrock Outfitters in Huntingdon County was recognized for their dedication and commitment to the Juniata River Cleanups, providing volunteers and donations of canoes, kayaks, and trailers.

-- Enforce It!-- Todd Ottinger, Ranger for the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources at Michaux State Forest, District #1 was recognized for utilizing the IllegalDumpFreePA.org programs to implement a comprehensive approach to illegal dumping within Michaux State Forest, building relationships with local officials, educating the public about the effects of illegal dumping and garnering 40 prosecutions.

The winners of the Local Affiliate Volunteers of the Year Awards are--

-- Keep Lancaster County Beautiful – Dr. David Eichler and students of the Donegal Experiential Education Program (DEEP), a program that teaches students about the importance of protecting and conserving the environment, for faithfully maintaining a 2-mile section of PA Route 772 in East Donegal Township and cleaning up the Little Chiques Creek and the Susquehanna River bank. The group also installed, monitors and maintains Mallard and Wood Duck boxes in the wetlands of East Donegal Township’s Riverfront Park. 

-- PA CleanWays of Mifflin County – Tim Zimmerman was recognized for valuable contributions during river, road and illegal dump cleanups. Tim provides labor as well as hauling services, thereby saving precious resources for the local affiliate.

“Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful believes that clean and beautiful communities are the bedrock for building stronger more vibrant communities and that by engaging volunteers and partnering with local businesses and state agencies we extend the reach of our educational efforts and multiply the impact of our actions. I would like to acknowledge the outstanding efforts of our Gold Shovel awardees and volunteers of the year and thank them for making their communities clean, beautiful and more vibrant,” said Shannon Reiter, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful President.

Award winners photos and their programs can be found on KPB’s website under Grants & Awards and Gold Shovel Awards webpages.

(Photo: Keep Lancaster County Beautiful – Dr. David Eichler and students of the Donegal Experiential Education Program)

For more information on programs, initiatives and special events, visit the Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful website.  Click Here to sign up for regular updates from KPB, Like them on Facebook, Follow on Twitter, Discover them on Pinterest and visit their YouTube Channel.

Also visit the Illegal Dump Free PA website for more ideas on how to clean up communities and keep them clean and KPB’s new Electronics Waste website.

Sign up now for the 2017 Great American Cleanup of PA and set up your own cleanup and beautification event through May 31.

NewsClips:

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Related Story:

Keep PA Beautiful Report On Partner, Affiliate Accomplishments In 2016

[Posted: May 1, 2017]

5/8/2017