Over the last 30 years, Keep Denton Beautiful (KDB) has produced many successful sustainability programs, such as Yard of the Month, Great American Cleanup, Community Tree Giveaway and the Cigarette Litter Prevention Program.

More specifically, over the past two years, KDB held 288 events and activities, including 136 litter cleanups. The cleanups helped remove 22.12 tons of litter from the city, as well as cleaning 328 miles of local roadways. More than 2,100 trees were planted at 33 tree planting activities, while another 40 neighborhood and school beautification projects took place. Because of its efforts, KDB, has been awarded the Keep Texas Beautiful’s Governor’s Community Achievement Award five times since its start back in 1987.

Neighborhoods and civic groups within the community benefit from funds provided by KDB that are aimed toward environmental and beautification projects. Moreover, KDB offers funding for environmental learning and neighborhood beautification projects through the organization’s long-running community grant programs. Applicants are invited to submit projects that contribute to KDB’s vision of a clean, beautiful and vibrant Denton.

2017-18 Environmental Education Grant Program

For the 2017-18 school year, KDB’s Environmental Education Grant Program will award up to $3,000 in grant funding to projects that directly engage students in outdoor learning activities, campus improvement projects, and natural resource stewardship efforts. Additionally, KDB’s Neighborhood Beautification Grants Program provides up to $2,500 in project funding each year for neighborhoods, nonprofits, and other community groups seeking to improve neighborhood public spaces, beautify the community, and/or nurture a shared sense of neighborhood identity and community pride. Projects should beautify or improve a neighborhood area, or otherwise make a tangible contribution to a healthier, more vibrant community.

Furthermore, KDB will be offering a new grant training class this year, designed to provide applicants with program guidelines, dos and don’ts of project design, and success stories from past applicants. Two training times are available at KDB’s office: Wednesday, July 26, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., and Saturday, July 29, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Applications will be available electronically Aug. 1 via www.kdb.org, or applicants may request a print copy of the application by calling KDB at (940) 349-8737. The deadline to submit an application is Monday, Oct. 16, at 5:00 p.m.

For more information, visit www.kdb.org.