BRADENTON — At Keep Manatee Beautiful’s annual Awards Celebration on September 12 at Polo Grill Ballroom in Lakewood Ranch, local businesses, governmental agencies, neighborhoods, organizations and citizens were awarded for their outstanding volunteer efforts during 2013 in litter cleanup and prevention, recycling and landscaping. The keynote speaker was Manatee County Administrator Ed Hunzeker on the “Future Beautification of Manatee County”.
OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEER GROUP AWARDS:
These volunteers surpassed the norm in doing quarterly cleanups and longevity of adoption and marking storm drains to prevent stormwater pollution.
Adopt-A-Highway Program:
• Ellenton-Parrish Lions adopted 2 miles of U.S. 301 in their neighborhood. They have steadfastly been doing 4 cleanups a year since 2005.
• Florida Power & Light Company has been doing quarterly cleanups since 1997 of 2 miles on S.R. 62 east and west of their plant entrance.
Adopt-A-Road Program:
• The Anna Maria Island Privateers have been routinely cleaning 2.75 miles of Marina Dr., Palm Dr. & Gulf Dr. on the island since 2000.
• The Terra Ceia Village Improvement Association does quarterly cleanups of their 5.5 miles of roads on Bayshore Dr., 72nd St. W. and 73rd St. W. since 2001.
Adopt-A-Shore Program:
• Lincoln Middle School Student Council has faithfully kept their Palmetto Estuary Preserve free of litter since 1995.
• Southeast High School Key Club became stewards of Kingfish Boat Ramp along the intracoastal waterway on S.R. 64 W. by adopting it for periodic cleanups in 2000.
Storm Drain Marking:
• Daniel Clancy and his family marked 213 storm drains with the message “Dump No Waste – Protect Your Water” on roads in Heather Glen, Sheffield Glen, LWR Central Park, LWR Gramercy Park, LWR Forest Park and Whitney Meadows. Through this educational program, they are helping protect our waters from stormwater pollution by informing citizens that only rain should go down the stormwater drain.
GREEN SCHOOLS AWARDS:
Green Schools strive to:
· have a litter-free campus
· have a graffiti-free campus
· landscape the campus using native Florida plants
· conserve natural resources and energy sources
· improve water quality
· contribute to the enhancement of the community’s physical environment
Elementary School: Palma Sola Elementary
Middle School: Nolan Middle School
High School: Braden River High School
Higher Education: Manatee Technical Institute Main Campus
RECYCLING AWARDS:
Recycling Awards honored those going beyond the norm to recycle goods used in the workplace or at home that otherwise would be discarded.
Government: Braden River Park
Small Business: Bunker Hill Vineyard & Winery
Large Business: Lakewood Ranch Medical Center
Adult Organization: Manatee County UF/IFAS Master Gardener Volunteers
Individual: Victor Scarlino
LANDSCAPING AWARDS:
Landscaping Awards recognized landscapes that surpassed the norm for design, maintenance, neighborhood enhancement, community awareness, and use of native and drought tolerant plants.
Small Business: Mixon Fruit Farms
Large Business: Benderson Development Northwest Promenade
Public Open Space: Pride Community Park
Public Building: University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee
Neighborhood Community: Tanglewood Environmental Preservation Assoc.
PUBLIC SERVICE AWARDS:
These awards recognize those demonstrating leadership in cleaning up and improving the community environment through litter prevention, preventing illegal dumping, beautification and minimizing impacts of waste.
Law Enforcement: Manatee Co. Gov. Code Enforcement Div.
This division diligently enforces Manatee County’s land development codes regarding solid waste disposal, proper sign placement and tree best management practices.
Business and Industry Partnership:
Small Business:
1. Historic Green Village
The design of the Historic Green Village incorporates the restoration and re-purposing of locally historic buildings along with usage of modern sustainable building practices. These features along with a commitment towards energy efficiency and environmental stewardship demonstrate why the H.G.V. is a model example of sustainability.
2. Pine Avenue Restoration Group
The Pine Avenue Restoration projects have also earned various LEED® Certifications by focusing on energy and water efficiency practices along with storm strength resiliency by building design.
Large Business:
Lakewood Ranch Community Development Districts
The LWR districts adopted a beautification project in creating a five-year outlook and cost analysis for the removal and replacement of decaying landscaping and trees in each district. In addition, the LWR Districts welcomed a memorial program to dedicate trees and benches.
Community Organizations: Manatee River Garden Club
This Garden Club does an annual garden tour, annual landscape design awards recognition, and annual scholarships to Save the Earth Environmental through Knowledge Conference for high school students in Tallahassee and to Camp Wekiva for grade school children to study nature, crafts, sports and exploring the beauty of wild Florida.
Government Partnership:
1. Florida Forest Service
The annual Future Farmers of America District 10 & 11 Forestry Contest includes general knowledge, dendrology, forest disorders, timber cruising, equipment identification, and compass & pacing. It is held at the DeSoto Environmental Lab & Outdoor Classroom in Arcadia.
2. Manatee River Soil and Water Conservation District’s
The annual Manasota Envirothon is an outdoor environmental team competition for high school students testing their knowledge of aquatics -- water-related resources, forestry, soils and wildlife. It is held at Oscar Scherer State Park in Osprey.
Media Community Relations: Manatee Chamber of Commerce
The Manatee Chamber of Commerce is a founding member of Keep Manatee Beautiful’s Board of Directors since 1991, so as to increase involvement in our events and on-going programs. We each should become part of the change to beautify our community’s image. The Chamber is fulfilling their role in achieving this goal!
Youth Volunteers: Christian Retreat Explosive Youth
Explosive painted most of murals for School Art in Pride Park. Their goal was to beautify this neighborhood, so as to develop pride and sense of place reflective of the overall community’s quality of life. They then adopted Upper Manatee River Road where their church is located to contribute to the enhancement of their neighborhood.
Outstanding Personal Contribution: Michael Miller from City of Anna Maria
Mike is the “go-to-guy” for the City of Anna Maria (along with many other cities and neighborhoods) for everything regarding: native plants to the area, proper pruning, planting, care and maintenance of plants, landscape architecture and design, and creating beautiful public spaces. His passion, dedication, ambition and knowledge make him a vital asset to our community and an overall great person to learn from. Mike constantly exceeds expectations on his work and is highly recommended by the City of Anna Maria and all of his clients.
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