Dr. Karen Bell
Keep Liberty Beautiful
Every tree begins as a seed, and every community leader starts with an opportunity to grow. This year, Keep Liberty Beautiful (KLB) is investing in both through its 20262027 program theme, “Planting Seeds, Growing Leaders,” by inviting local high school students to become part of its Green Leaders Youth Leadership Program.
Applications are now being accepted for the upcoming academic year, offering students a chance to become environmental ambassadors while developing leadership, communication, and community service skills. The program is open to students entering the 10th, 11th, or 12th grades who are in good academic standing.
Only four students will be selected to serve as Green Leaders during the 20262027 school year.
For more than four decades, Keep Liberty Beautiful has inspired residents throughout Liberty County to take pride in their community through litter prevention, waste reduction, recycling, beautification, water conservation, and environmental education. While these programs improve the community today, the Green Leaders initiative focuses on preparing the leaders who will protect it tomorrow.
Our theme this year, Planting Seeds, Growing Leaders, is more than a slogan. Every young person we mentor has the potential to become a lifelong environmental steward. When we invest in our youth today, we are planting seeds that will grow into stronger leaders, healthier communities, and a brighter future for Liberty County.
Throughout the school year, Green Leaders work alongside Keep Liberty Beautiful Staff and Volunteers at many of the organization’s signature events. Participants assist with environmental education displays at community festivals, volunteer during community litter cleanups, support Earth Day celebrations, help with America Recycles Day activities, participate in recycling collections, represent Keep Liberty Beautiful at parades and community events, assist with beautification projects, and provide valuable feedback to the organization’s Advisory Board regarding youth involvement.
Rather than simply volunteering, students gain firsthand experience organizing community events, interacting with the public, speaking about environmental issues, and working with local leaders and volunteers. These experiences help build confidence while teaching responsibility, teamwork, and civic engagement.
Green Leaders may earn up to 100 volunteer service hours during the academic year by participating in environmental activities. Many of the volunteer opportunities take place on Saturday mornings, with participants typically serving during eight to 10 Saturday events throughout the year.
Students who complete a minimum of 70 volunteer hours become eligible to receive a $500 award stipend in May 2027. They also may be nominated for local, state, and national recognition programs that celebrate youth leadership and community service. The program provides benefits that extend well beyond volunteer hours.
The Green Leaders Program is designed to help students discover that leadership is about serving others. Whether they are teaching children how to recycle, helping clean up a neighborhood, planting flowers, or speaking with community members at an event, they are making a real difference while developing skills that will benefit them in college, future careers, and throughout their lives.
The program reflects Keep Liberty Beautiful’s belief that meaningful environmental change begins with education and hands-on involvement.
By encouraging students to participate in projects that improve their neighborhoods, parks, waterways, and public spaces, Green Leaders experience firsthand how individual actions can create lasting community impact.
The leadership experience also allows students to network with community organizations, government leaders, educators, and local volunteers while fulfilling service-learning requirements that strengthen college and scholarship applications.
As Keep Liberty Beautiful launches another year of environmental education and community improvement initiatives, the organization hopes this newest class of Green Leaders will inspire others to become active participants in protecting Liberty County’s natural resources and public spaces.
Students interested in applying should complete an application by August 10. Applications are available on the Keep Liberty Beautiful website at www. keeplibertybeautiful.org.
With only four positions available, students are encouraged to apply early and take advantage of this opportunity to grow as leaders while making a lasting difference in their community. For those selected, the experience promises to be much more than volunteer service. It is a chance to plant the seeds of leadership that will continue to grow long after high school.
Don’t forget we have the 19th Annual Beach Sweep on August 15.
You need to sign up for this cleanup to ensure you have a boat ride to St. Catherine’s Island.
KLB’s Recycle It! Fairs on Saturday, August 22, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. Collection sites will be available at the Liberty County Community Complex in Midway and Walthourville City Hall. A free document shred truck will be available only at the Walthourville location. Visitors to the Liberty County Community Complex can also participate in activities celebrating the Great Georgia Pollinator Census. For more information about Keep Liberty Beautiful programs, visit www. keeplibertybeautiful.org, call (912) 880-4888, or email klcb@libertycountyga. gov.