Keep America Beautiful® Honors 2024 National Award Recipients at Annual Conference

Individuals, organizations, and communities recognized for commitment to creating cleaner, greener, and more beautiful America

Washington, D.C. (Feb. 12, 2025) – Keep America Beautiful® today announced the recipients of its 2024 National Awards, recognizing 41 individuals, state organizations, and community groups for their outstanding contributions to creating cleaner, greener, and more beautiful communities. The winners were honored during the Keep America Beautiful National Conference in Washington, D.C.

The Lady Bird Johnson Award for outstanding volunteerism went to Doyce Deas, a community advocate and Keep Tupelo (MS) Beautiful board member. Deas spearheaded the Daffodil Project, which has planted nearly 500,000 daffodils across Tupelo, leaving a lasting legacy of beauty. Lucinda Robb, granddaughter of Lady Bird Johnson and co-chair of Keep America Beautiful’s Greatest American Cleanup, presented the award.

“My grandmother understood that beauty has the power to change lives for the better, and I know she would be so pleased at the commitment and dedication of Keep America Beautiful volunteers like Doyce Deas,” Robb said in presenting the award.

Pat DePlasco, Executive Director, of Keep Pinellas (FL) Beautiful received the Sue Smith Professional Leadership Award for her exceptional leadership and dedication to the Keep America Beautiful mission. She was honored for inspiring fellow affiliate leaders, implementing innovative programs, and contributing to national-level initiatives.

“Each of our 2024 award recipients has demonstrated remarkable dedication and leadership in making their communities better places to live,” said Jennifer Lawson, president and CEO of Keep America Beautiful. “Their passion, innovation, and unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship are a testament to the power of collective action. By inspiring change at the local level, they are helping to create a lasting impact nationwide.”

Other awards given at the event included:

Innovation Award: Given in recognition of affiliates advancing Keep America Beautiful’s mission with groundbreaking ideas, new methods, and unique approaches to overcoming challenges.

Local Program (Population 30,000 and under)

• Honoree: Keep Keith County Beautiful (NE)
• Merit Award: Ardmore Beautification Council (OK)

Local Program (Population 30,001 – 100,000)

• Honoree: Keep Tupelo Beautiful (MS)
• Merit Award: Keep Coral Gables Beautiful (FL)

Local Partnership (Population 30,001 – 100,000)

• Honoree: Keep Morristown Hamblen Beautiful, Inc. (TN)
• Merit Award: Keep Gastonia Beautiful (NC)

Local Program (Population 100,001 – 250,000)

• Honoree: Keep Jackson Beautiful, Inc (MS)
• Merit Award: Keep Akron Beautiful (OH)

Local Partnership (Population 100,001 – 250,000)

• Honoree: Keep West Palm Beach Beautiful (FL)
• Merit Award: City of High Point/Keep High Point Beautiful (NC)

Local Program (Population 250,001 and over)

• Honoree: Keep Cobb Beautiful (GA)
• Merit Award: Keep Charlotte Beautiful (NC)

Local Partnership (Population 250,001 and over)

• Honoree: Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful (FL)
• Keep the Midlands Beautiful (SC)

State Program (Population 250,001 and over)

• Honoree: Keep Mississippi Beautiful (MS)
• Merit Award: Keep Tennessee Beautiful

State Partnership (Population 250,001 and over)

• Honoree: Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful (PA)
• Merit Award: Keep Mississippi Beautiful (MS)

State Agency Partnership Awards: Honoring state departments of transportation, environmental agencies, and other government entities that support Keep America Beautiful affiliates in local communities.

• Alabama Department of Transportation – Keep Alabama Beautiful
• Alabama Department of Environmental Management – Keep Alabama Beautiful
• CALTRANS – Keep California Beautiful
• California Volunteers – Keep California Beautiful
• Delaware Division of Libraries – Keep Delaware Beautiful
• Delaware Solid Waste Authority – Keep Delaware Beautiful
• Georgia Department of Community Affairs- Keep Georgia Beautiful
• Georgia Forestry Commission – Keep Georgia Beautiful
• Georgia Environmental Protection Division – Keep Georgia Beautiful
• Mississippi Department of Transportation – Keep Mississippi Beautiful
• Ohio Department of Natural Resources – Keep Ohio Beautiful
• Ohio Department of Transportation – Keep Ohio Beautiful
• Ohio Environmental Protection Agency – Keep Ohio Beautiful
• Oklahoma Turnpike Authority – Keep Oklahoma Beautiful
• Oklahoma Department of Transportation – Keep Oklahoma Beautiful
• Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality – Keep Oklahoma Beautiful
• PA Department of Transportation – Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful
• PA Department of Environmental Protection – Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful
• SC Department of Environmental Services – PalmettoPride/Keep South Carolina Beautiful
• Tennessee Department of Tourist Development – Keep Tennessee Beautiful
• Tennessee Department of Transportation Highway Beautification Office – Keep Tennessee Beautiful

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About Keep America Beautiful®:

Keep America Beautiful, the nation’s leading community improvement nonprofit organization, inspires and educates people to take action every day to improve and beautify their community environment. Established in 1953, Keep America Beautiful strives to end littering, improve recycling, and beautify America’s communities. Join us on Facebook (opens in a new tab), Instagram (opens in a new tab), X (opens in a new tab), LinkedIn (opens in a new tab), and YouTube (opens in a new tab). Donate and take action at kab.org.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

McCall Vrydaghs

Keep America Beautiful®