The Keep Iowa Beautiful Board of Trustees recently announced the 2017 annual award winners for enhancing the beauty, cleanliness and attractiveness of the state of Iowa.
Maryland Governor Larry Hogan proclaimed March 20 “Keep Maryland Beautiful Day,” supporting Maryland’s new affiliation with Keep America Beautiful and coinciding with the launch of the 2017 Great American Cleanup.
The recipients in the four award categories of community, organization, corporate and individual were presented their awards by Iowa Governor Terry Branstad (pictured above at his desk, with Keep Iowa Beautiful Executive Director Gerry Schnepf to his left) at the State Capitol on March 13. The Governor also took the opportunity to proclaim April as Keep Iowa Beautiful month with a ceremonial proclamation signing.
“The KIB award program is designed to recognize special people and organizations that have gone the extra mile to help build stronger Iowa communities,” said Miriam Erickson Brown, Chair of the KIB Board of Trustees. “A more attractive community improves the economic vitality and cultural climate where we live, work and raise a family.”
The awardees are:
The Donald F. Lamberti Hometown Pride Vision Award: David Dahlquist and RDG Dahlquist Art Studio, for the creative art, architecture and landscape design of public and private spaces that make Iowa and the nation a more attractive place to live.
The Robert D. Ray Community Award for Excellence: Woodbine, for investing in downtown rehabilitation by saving 45 buildings and adding 37 upper-story housing units.
Corporate Award of Excellence: Plastic Recycling of Iowa Falls, for designing and manufacturing environmentally friendly quality products from recycled plastics.
Organization Award of Excellence: Pride in Community Appearance (PICA), for the many volunteers that enhance the beauty, cleanliness and attractiveness of Fort Dodge.
Each year, Keep Iowa Beautiful meets with the Governor as he announces the awards. In addition, Governor Branstad hands out scholarships, declares and signs a proclamation naming April as Keep Iowa Beautiful Month, and challenges cities and counties in the state to conduct local enhancement projects.