public during the water crisis. Notably, recycling rates have risen in the area from 12% to 27% over the past two years. During her KGCB tenure, Karen developed and implemented the “Cultivating Our Community Program,” the largest beautification program ever in Genesee County. The program works to improve the visual landscape of the community and, since 2007, over 70 businesses, places of worship, schools and neighborhoods have provided 7,700 volunteers who have spent 36,000 hours planting and maintaining over 54,000 plants, bulbs, shrubs, grasses and trees at the gateway gardens. In addition, she has worked with Flint’s Downtown Development Authority director to place new ash receptacles in the downtown area and distribute 7,000 portable pocket ashtrays. Under Karen’s leadership, KGCB has become the go-to community organization for information and resources associated with fostering a clean, green and beautiful place to live.
PROGRAM AWARDS
Great American Cleanup Award Keep Oklahoma Beautiful Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Keep Oklahoma Beautiful (KOB) has been a proud and consistent state organizer of the Great American Cleanup (GAC) since 2002 and has had 100% county participation – with at least one group in every county participating – for nine consecutive years. Through the GAC program, KOB provides communities with free supplies and support to help make a lasting difference across the state. The GAC in Oklahoma involves a variety of organizations, including municipalities, businesses, school organizations, Chambers of Commerce, and civic organizations. In 2018, more than 46,000 people participated and volunteered in events, including litter abatement, waterway cleanups, community beautification, graffiti removal, tree plantings, and educational events. Overall, the collective effort resulted in outcomes ranging from 2.9 million pounds of litter and debris collected to 249 miles of rivers, lakes and shorelines cleaned. Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful Tampa, Florida Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful (KTBB) annually presents its Great American Cleanup (GAC) as a call to action to foster unity and strengthen community bonds through beautification and community improvement efforts across Tampa Bay. KTBB’s GAC brings together thousands of volunteers and corporate groups from the community to help end littering, improve recycling and 8