Our 2020 Vision – Clean & Green

By: Lynne Hart

Here we are welcoming in the new year. Another fresh start. Everyone is hoping that this year will be THE year. The one with happiness and good fortune, good health, and prosperity.

We can’t predict the future or what this year will bring, but we can have a vision for what we hope to accomplish.

At KALB we know that 2020 will bring with it many opportunities and a few changes to navigate. Those changes will not catch us off guard because we have a plan and a vision in place.

It is our hope to encourage as many as possible to participate in our Great American Cleanup activities: The Elk and Tennessee River Cleanups and the county-wide Trash Attack taking place on Saturday, March 14, and the #OneBagChallenge which will run from March 14 through April 25.

We want these events to have record participation because we know that once a person has seen up close what is in our waterways, ditches, and roadsides, they will most likely never litter. We hope they will also be more likely to teach those around them to take greater responsibility for the appearance and health of our community.

KALB will also be doing more to advertise our Litter Hotline. We need all of you who care about Athens and Limestone County to report litterbugs. We need to let our neighbors and visitors know that we are watching and we don’t appreciate anyone trashing our beautiful city. Simply call 256-233-8000 or go to KALBCares.com and select the Litter Control tab to report littering incidents. Littering includes trash and cigarette butts being tossed from vehicles or trash and debris flying from uncovered or poorly secured loads. This is a simple way any individual can make a difference. We encourage you to do your part.

KALB staff will continue to visit classrooms throughout the city and county school systems as we are invited. Our vision for 2020 includes increasing the number of students we reach from preschool through 6th grade. Our programs are created to target specific age groups and we want to be invited. If you are a teacher or know a teacher, please share our wish to visit Athens and Limestone County classrooms.

We are also excited about the growth of our Earth Day & Outdoor EXPO! KALB has partnered with Athens State University for this event which allows for growth this year and continuing into the future. Athens State University has so much to offer and we couldn’t be more excited about what this means. It is our 2020 vision to see attendance double so the message of personal responsibility for caring for our environment can continue to spread. This is how change will happen!

There is a change coming here at KALB as I will be retiring from the position of Executive Coordinator in August. We aren’t concerned about that change because the organization will continue to be in good hands with Leigh Patterson, our office manager, stepping into that role. Leigh has worked with me for 7 years, and I will be proud to turn over the reins of this organization to her capable hands.

KALB’s 2020 Vision cannot come to fruition without your involvement. We look forward to working with you to make this a wonderful new year!
By: Lynne Hart
Executive Coordinator – Keep Athens-Limestone Beautiful