(Feb. 9, 2026) – Keep Cherokee Beautiful recently received a 2025 Governor’s Circle Award for its outstanding achievements in community beautification and environmental sustainability. The Keep Georgia Beautiful Foundation (KGBF) presented the award in recognition of exemplary performance in litter reduction, waste minimization, and community greening.
To qualify for the Governor’s Circle Award, affiliates must be certified and in good standing with Keep America Beautiful (KAB), the national nonprofit that oversees state and local programming. Additionally, the affiliate must be an active member of the KGBF network. Certified KAB affiliates are required to effect meaningful, positive, and lasting change by directly addressing community needs in the areas of litter prevention, recycling, waste reduction, and beautification.
“We’re committed to creating clean, green, and beautiful communities across Georgia,” said Natalie Johnston-Russell, executive director of the Keep Georgia Beautiful Foundation. “This year’s award recipients have gone above and beyond to make that vision a reality, and we’re proud to celebrate their incredible efforts.”
In 2025, Keep Cherokee Beautiful volunteers dedicated a combined 44,000 hours to picking up litter along county roadways and at community cleanup events. Through the Adopt-A-Mile program, 43 partners adopted 61 miles of roadway, helping remove more than 15,000 pounds of litter from Cherokee County roads that year.
+++
MEDIA CONTACT
Erika Neldner, Communications Director
ebneldner@cherokeecountyga.gov | 678-493-6015
