Johnathan Sicard

KTB’s Earthshare Texas Green Leaders Fellow

Unlock the power of data to drive sustainability in your community! This dynamic presentation will equip you with the tools and strategies to make data-driven decisions that can create lasting environmental and societal change. Explore a range of free, easy-to-use tools for collecting, analyzing, and presenting data, from financial and environmental metrics to geographic insights. The speaker will dive into real-world examples of how these tools have led to impactful decisions and share practical tips for implementing them in your own work. Interactive and hands-on, this session will empower you to harness the full potential of data—no technical expertise required. Walk away ready to collect, analyze, and share data to make a meaningful difference in your community!

Kay Bell

Texas Women in Agriculture

The presenter will guide the audience through the process of designing and building community gardens that celebrate and reflect the diversity of cultures in the local area. This session will offer practical insights into selecting and growing flowers that are culturally significant to various communities, enriching the garden’s connection to its diverse population. Additionally, the presenter will highlight a variety of fruits and vegetables that thrive in Texas’ climate, focusing on those that resonate with different cultural traditions. Attendees will leave with a deeper understanding of how to create inclusive, culturally rich gardens that foster community engagement.

Carole Fergusson

Keep Waco Beautiful

Volunteers are the backbone of any community-driven initiative, but engaging and retaining them requires more than just a sign-up sheet. This session will delve into innovative strategies to recruit passionate individuals, foster a sense of belonging, and keep volunteers motivated for the long haul.

Topics include:
– Designing meaningful volunteer experiences that align with community values.
– Utilizing data and technology to streamline volunteer recruitment and communication.
– Building diverse volunteer bases by targeting untapped audiences, such as youth, retirees, and corporate groups.
– Leveraging storytelling to showcase the impact of volunteer work and attract new supporters.

Attendees will leave with actionable ideas and tools to cultivate a loyal and enthusiastic volunteer ecosystem that drives success for their programs.

Cindy Luongo

DarkSky Texas

Before artificial lights surrounded us every night, humans were all connected by our common view of the night sky. We told stories about it. We told stories under it. By studying it, we learned our place in the universe and how to navigate our world. We developed art and literature and songs tied to the night sky. We loved to sing “The stars at night are big and bright…deep in the heart of Texas.”

Learn the benefits to your community when better lights for better nights becomes a standard in your area. Get access to educational resources to help your organization restore the beauty of the night sky in your community. Prepare to preserve our Texas heritage of sharing the stars with family. Take note of the key elements to address to attract tourists to your area to enjoy activities after dark. Expand the use of your parks, trails, and public spaces to incorporate night time activities without excessive artificial lighting.

Kara Escajeda

Texas Parks and Wildlife

This presentation outlines how Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPWD) grants can serve as powerful funding resources for KTB projects. By accessing grants focused on conservation, outdoor recreation, and environmental education, local KTB affiliates and community leaders can initiate and sustain projects aimed at enhancing Texas’s natural beauty and environmental health. Key components will include an overview of applicable TPWD grants, examples of successful projects funded through these grants, and guidance on the application process. Attendees will learn best practices for aligning project goals with grant priorities, maximizing the impact of these funds to support beautification, waste reduction, and community stewardship initiatives.

Join a dynamic panel of Keep Texas Recycling (KTR) partners as they share their experiences, challenges, and lessons learned in providing recycling access to rural communities. This session will explore best practices in staffing, resources, and partnerships, providing valuable insights for communities looking to enhance their rural recycling programs. The panel will discuss challenges in expanding services to include #1 Plastics/PET and share key lessons learned. Panelists will offer guidance for navigating corporate partnerships, including insights into what businesses prioritize in sustainability initiatives. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain practical knowledge and inspiration from those leading the way in recycling innovation!

Young Texan Ambassadors

Keep Texas Beautiful

Join us as our ambassadors share insights into the Young Texan Ambassador program. A panel of current members will discuss youth experiences, social media, and community involvement. You’ll also have the opportunity to ask questions to enhance your youth programming. We hope you leave inspired to create your own program or engage youth in your work and events!

Madeline Bracken

Keep Waxahachie Beautiful

In our mission to beautify Texas, time is often one of the scarcest resources. Join Madeline Bracken, who will share innovative ways AI can empower Keep Texas Beautiful affiliates by simplifying press releases, automating routine emails, streamlining event planning, and enhancing grant writing. This session will explore how AI tools can take on these repetitive tasks, freeing up volunteers and staff to spend more time on impactful, hands-on beautification work—from organizing cleanups to creating inspiring art installations and sustainable spaces. By adopting these “Many Paths to a Beautiful Texas,” attendees will gain practical knowledge on integrating AI technology into their programs, maximizing their efficiency, and focusing their energy where it matters most: making Texas a cleaner, more beautiful place.

Matt Glazer

Blue Sky Partners

This session will explore effective strategies for building and maintaining a sustainable nonprofit board that can drive long-term success. Participants will learn how to recruit, engage, and retain diverse and committed board members while fostering a culture of accountability and collaboration. By the end of the session, attendees will have actionable insights to strengthen their boards and enhance their organization’s impact.

Alexa Pegues

Keep Austin Beautiful

This presentation shares how creative messaging around recycling, composting, and reducing litter is an effective and exciting tool for engaging volunteers and increasing interest in environmental stewardship. By looking at sponsor-funded campaigns like “Love ATX,” and grassroots messaging for events like Keep Austin Beautiful Day, local KTB affiliates and community leaders can learn how to increase enthusiasm and engagement in environmental stewardship through a variety of messaging tools. Attendees will hear examples for effectively integrating messaging into community engagement programs, education for all ages, and more.

Session Sponsor: Niagara Cares

Tyler Agee

Keep Duncanville Beautiful

Explore how cities like Duncanville, Lewisville, and other Texas communities are leading the way in beautifying and restoring parks and greenspaces through native landscaping initiatives. This session highlights the use of drought-tolerant wildflowers, native grasses, and sustainable materials to create vibrant, resilient urban spaces. With a focus on financial responsibility, attendees will learn how these projects reduce water usage, cut maintenance costs, and support local ecosystems while achieving stunning results. Discover practical strategies for planning, funding, and implementing native landscaping projects that not only enhance community appeal but also deliver long-term budgetary benefits. This presentation is perfect for municipalities looking to balance environmental stewardship with fiscal accountability.

Carolyn Torres

Snyder ISD

Kristianna Bowles

Rice University Office of Sustainability

Christine Luciano

Cen-Tex Sustainable Communities Partnership

Chanel Davis

Austin Youth River Watch

Join us for the 2025 Beautify Texas Awards Showcase, where we’ll hear from inspirational award winners dedicated to enhancing their communities and protecting Texas’ environment.

Carolyn Torres, a STEAM teacher at Snyder Intermediate, is recognized for her environmental education initiatives, including the impactful Bottle Challenge and Caps for Life project.

Rice University will present their “Give a Hoot, Donate Your Loot” campaign, a successful move-out collection program that has diverted over 16,000 lbs. of goods from landfills.

The Cen-Tex Sustainable Communities Partnership, has driven environmental education, waste reduction, and community improvements through programs like Youth Environmental Ambassadors.

Lastly, the Austin Youth River Watch (AYRW) is shaping future environmental leaders by providing hands-on experiences in water quality monitoring and conservation efforts. These initiatives highlight the power of community-driven engagement and their lasting impact on both local environments and the people they inspire.