Keep America Beautiful affiliate reports rising volunteer turnout, expands education and cleanup events

Britney, executive director of Keep America Beautiful's local affiliate, updated the Shawnee County Board of County Commissioners on March 31, saying volunteer numbers and community partnerships are increasing and that the group has expanded education and cleanup programming.

"Our mission is to enhance the quality of life in Topeka and Shawnee County, Kansas by fostering a clean and beautiful environment," Britney said, describing the affiliate's focus on litter prevention education, volunteer cleanups and partnerships with public and private organizations.

Britney said the group's volunteer base and event participation are growing. She said last year’s "Get Down and Get Dirty" cleanup attracted about 700 volunteers, and this year the affiliate has just over that number with roughly 40 to 45 teams signed up so far. The group also distributed about 500 printed copies of a new recycling directory in the last few months and made the directory available on its website.

She outlined several partnerships and upcoming events: a tree submission to the SLI Festival of Trees for outreach, an Earth Day presence at the zoo’s Party for the Planet, a Pollinatorpalooza booth with seed‑ball activities, a Silver Lake cemetery cleanup on April 12, and additional cleanups coordinated with Omni Circle and the Kaw River Association. Britney said the affiliate also provides cleanup supplies — bags, vests and grabbers — to partner events and emphasizes volunteer safety and focusing cleanup efforts on visible parkways and sidewalks.

On education, Britney pointed commissioners to an "eco education" webpage on the group's site (keepshawneybeautiful.org) that includes interactive activities, games and materials about composting, recycling and native plants. She said the affiliate partners with schools for STEM fairs and water‑conservation programs and will collaborate with county staff, including Bill Sutton from Solid Waste, at an upcoming recycling event.

Commissioners thanked Britney for the update; no formal actions or funding decisions were taken during the work session. Britney said she is seeking additional volunteers and board members and welcomed commissioner and community support.

The affiliate uses volunteers across a range of events year‑round, from cemetery cleanups in October to spring and summer park and river‑adjacent cleanups. Britney said the affiliate is working to increase youth involvement and corporate sponsorships and noted a recent sponsorship contact from a Sam's Club manager. She closed by thanking county commissioners for their partnership and inviting the public to sign up for upcoming events.

No votes or motions were recorded related to the presentation.