AUSTIN — Keep Texas Beautiful (KTB) announced the winners of their annual awards, recognizing Texans’ efforts to enhance their communities and protect the Texas environment. Winning groups are selected from throughout Texas, and three Austin groups — including the Capital Area Master Naturalists — were chosen for their outstanding commitment to improve the community in 2005-2006.

“The winning individuals, organizations and corporations have distinguished themselves as outstanding environmental stewards,” said Lynn Lantrip, KTB President. “Through their dedication to community and environmental improvement, they have set examples for every Texan to follow to keep their community beautiful and clean.”

Austin winners:

1st Place — Business/Industry Awards

Winner: Austin City Limits Music Festival - honored for their innovative event recycling program that raises awareness about recycling through an interactive recycling sculpture, volunteer giveaways, and announcements.

Contact: Jody Goode, jgoode@planetcse.com, (512) 505-4401

1st Place (tie) — Civic Organization Leadership Awards, Community Improvement

Winner: Capital Area Master Naturalists — contributed more than 6,000 volunteer hours to the community in just 2005 with projects including trail maintenance, leading educational programs, conducting wildlife and plant surveys, constructing nesting boxes, and much more.

Contact: Jeri Porter, jerip@county.org, (512) 478-8753

3rd Place — Youth Leadership Awards, Off-Campus Youth Group

Winner: American Youthworks — Austin youth, ages 16 to 25, contributed a total of 123,500 hours to restoring and preserving public lands in 2005. Projects included constructing trails, leading corporate service days, and assisting with Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.

Contact: Parc Smith, psmith@americanyouthworks.org, (512) 423-2887

Award winners were recognized during the 39th Annual Keep Texas Beautiful Conference, June 26–29 in Plano. ——— On the Net: * http://www.ktb.org/