Keep Texas Beautiful (KTB), a statewide grassroots environmental and community improvement non-profit organization, recently named the City of The Colony as a 2020 Gold Star Affiliate.
This designation is granted to only 57 affiliates of KTB’s nearly 300 affiliates. Gold Star recognition is the highest status any community affiliate can achieve. To remain in good standing with Keep Texas Beautiful, community affiliates must submit a report, pay dues, attend training and participate in a KTB-endorsed activity annually.
In 2004, the organization introduced the concept of Gold Star recognition to reward those communities who sought to go above and beyond the established requirements. To achieve this status, affiliates must share information on their mission and goals, answer questions about their economic development and diversity and inclusion practices, or participate in the Keep Texas Beautiful Awards or Governor’s Community Achievement Awards programs, and provide a letter of support from their community. KTB will formally recognize Gold Star communities during its 53rd Annual Conference, held Sept. 28-30 in Houston.
In 2019 alone, KTB affiliates engaged 71,586 volunteers who contributed 351,953 hours to collect 4 million pounds of waste and recyclables and clean 16,212 miles of Texas roadway, trails and waterways.
The Colony successfully implemented programs to clean up litter, reduce and recycle waste, educate local residents and beautify and enhance the local community, including but not limited to:
This recognition comes on the heels of the city being awarded a GCCA grant.
“Our affiliates are the backbone of our organization. We are proud to honor those going above and beyond to keep their communities clean and beautiful,” said Suzanne Kho, Executive Director of KTB. “Our Gold Star Affiliates are educating and engaging community members, actively recruiting and managing volunteers, hosting cleanup and beautification events throughout their community and so much more.”