As spring winds gust through our area, kicking up dust, trash and anything else that is not tied down, we see garbage start collecting everywhere. This is when Keep Las Cruces Beautiful (KLCB) steps up by providing events and programs that encourage residents to help clean up their neighborhoods.
The newest KLCB program is “Team Up to Clean Up!”, a beautification project to help enhance the quality of life in las Cruces and reverse the process of neighborhood deterioration. It is organized by City Council districts, with each of the six districts invited to participate on a particular date throughout the year.
The next “Team Up to Clean Up” date is Saturday, June 15 in District 4. Residents are encouraged to recruit their neighbors and clean up their neighborhood in a joint effort to maintain property beginning where they live. KLCB will provide supplies such as bags, gloves, and specific locations, if needed.
Most recently, volunteers came together for KLCB’s Great American Cleanup in April. This year, an estimated 16 tons of trash were collected from the roll-off containers placed in various locations throughout the city. Another 10 tons came from volunteer litter pickup for a total of 26 tons collected, the largest amount of trash collected during this event in KLCB history!
The Great American Cleanup is a national event that is celebrated annually in all major cities. Partners who helped make this event a success are the City of Las Cruces Solid Waste Department, Pepsi, Lowe’s grocery store, and Walmart, that generously provided lunch for the volunteers afterwards.
KLCB partnered with NMSU’s major litter pickup, The Big Event, which was held simultaneously with the Great American Cleanup. Parks & Recreation’s After School Program sites also participated by cleaning up the areas around their schools. More than 45 groups signed up for this year’s Great American Cleanup, totaling over 1,800 volunteers for the GAC event. Collectively, we can make a big difference!
Schedule for Team Up to Clean Up events:
June 15 District 4
July 20 District 1
August 17 District 5
September 21 District 3
October 12 Toss No Mas (Citywide)
November 16 District 6
To sign up for “Team Up to Clean Up” district events or for more information about KLCB, contact Coordinator James Woods at 575/528-4506 or email jwoods@las-cruces.org.