Revived committee works to Keep Texarkana Beautiful
TEXARKANA, Texas — Local greenthumb committee Keep Texarkana Beautiful is ramping up its efforts to beautify the area.
Vashil Fernandez, the city’s liaison to the committee, said the organization is rebuilding after a hiatus. Part of that rebuilding includes exploring funding sources.
“We’re encouraging the committee to look at different grant opportunities,” Fernandez said.
Fernandez said the committee is working on policies and creating a recycling program with handouts to assist the local branch of Waste Management.
“We plan to take these packets to the elementary schools throughout the area, so that not only elementary teachers can have them but the kids can take them home to their family. It (the packet) has different information about proper ways to recycle, as well as a magnet that people can put on their fridge to just remind them of the things they should put in their recycling bin,” Fernandez said.
Fernandez said the committee plans to partner with the city for Arbor Day on March 4 and also will partner with Texas A&M University-Texarkana for a citywide clean-up on April 1.
“People are always interested in trees and planting trees, and so we’re going to encourage that as much as we can. We’re hoping to bring out a lot of people to just get back and involved in just wanting to maintain the cleanliness of it (Texarkana),” Fernandez said.
The committee plans to renew its affiliation with Keep Texas Beautiful by submitting a service report to the organization. KTB Board Chair Brittney Haynes said the affiliation will allow Keep Texarkana Beautiful to apply for grants.
“We only get one planet. Love the Earth and it will love you back,” Haynes said. “Picking up trash, letting people know how you can recycle certain things and use plants and native species that are important our area — those are our goals this year.”