Memories of Keep America Beautiful conferences run on parallel tracks. One train carries experiences outside the convention center and hotel meeting rooms: the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, the Lincoln Memorial at sunrise in Washington, D.C., and, most recently, surfers riding the ocean waves at San Diego. Another train pulls cars filled with takeaways unique to that trip from fellow affiliates and speakers.
Day two during this year’s conference in San Diego brought the popular “Affiliate Proven Practice” session, formerly known as “Steal This” since attendees often filed away what might work to try in their communities. Offhand, I do not recall how many of the presentations have been retooled at Keep Alliance Beautiful. The majority were not applicable to us, yet it is entertaining to see how others respond to situations and opportunities that fall into the purview of a Keep America Beautiful affiliate.
The first speaker made me think of what we could do at something like Bands on the Bricks. Tracey from Virginia played a video showing an eco-friendly music festival. “Jam Packed” was a huge party in Richmond, she said. “Everything we do on that island has to be as green as possible. This was zero waste. We looked where every part could be green and sustainable – no water bottles.” Vendors had compostable containers and the free water from Ball was in aluminum cans. A $40,000 donation followed the successful event. Hmmm, sounds doable here if everyone involved would play ball.
My favorite idea involved animals. Jonathan from Keep Charlotte (N.C.) Beautiful talked about “Pick Up With Pups”. I miss our dog, who died last fall, and would love an opportunity to walk a dog and gather litter at the same time. Jonathan explained that he likes to collaborate and did not have to pay for a thing as he networked with city, county and others to host the activity on their 50th anniversary during June 2022. Volunteers check out dogs from the animal control center for cleanups twice a year. Two hundred volunteers have picked up 3,000 pounds of litter. “(It) gives dogs who can attend a new walk with a friend and may lead to a forever home,” he said. Two of the employees at our recycling center would be the right fit to organize a pooch and person program in Alliance.
Spring officially arrived about a week ago. Concerts and cleanups are on KAB’s radar as we near The Great American Cleanup and prepare for annual events such as Heritage Days. Daniel from Keep Suffolk Beautiful highlighted an event that his affiliate promotes and takes part in, which I could see Alliance embracing. They brought back the Suffolk Earth and Arts Festival, which ran 2016-19, in 2022. Last year there were 90 vendors and 6,000 guests. “We’re using (this) event to encompass more than people who want to volunteer,” he said. “We want to create avenues of interest.”
One last proven practice. Bird scooters in Alliance go south (pick a direction) for the winter. I have heard robins and other feathered friends though have not seen these rechargeable conveyances. Al, from Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful, hails from a part of the country where rentable electric scooters do not migrate yet still disappear. That affiliate has been operating an e-scooter and bike recovery program. “We had a dive for e-scooters,” he explained. A lady got one covered with barnacles and the company would not take it back. Al said they learned that it wasn’t accidental – the scooter had been tossed in the canal by the rider. To date they have removed 277 scooters with the help of technical divers. Goals are, No. 1 find and remove scooters; No. 2 educate; and No. 3 address the problem. “Companies had GPS tracking, but wouldn’t commit to them being in the water. . . . Got a lot of attention and people wanted to solve the problem,” Al said. So, no leaving your Bird in Laing Lake.
If you have any unique ideas that Keep Alliance Beautiful could try as we strive to serve the community during 2024 let us know by calling the office at 308-762-1729.