Keep Chatsworth-Murray Beautiful gets $1,000 grant

Published 3:15 am Saturday, June 16, 2012

Keep Chatsworth-Murray Beautiful (KCMB) has been named the recipient of a UPS/Keep America Beautiful Community Improvement Grant for $1,000 to support its Nature Explore Outdoor Classroom and The People’s Garden.

In June 2011 KCMB completed construction of the Nature Explore Outdoor Classroom with the help of a $10,000 Waste Management/Keep America Beautiful Grant. One of the areas within the classroom is an edible garden area that has been designated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as The People’s Garden. The gardens promote sustainable practices, improve water quality and soil health, and create shelter and nesting habitats for wildlife.

To expand the collaborative efforts and increase involvement within the community, KCMB is offering plots within the garden area for “adoption.” Grant funds will be used to supply soil, borders and mulch for the plots; adopters will be responsible for providing and caring for the plants.

“The gardens can serve to educate children to the importance of a healthy diet, the environment, agriculture, ecology, biology and soil science,” said KCMB Executive Director Sandi Adams. “We hope to become a leader in northwest Georgia by developing a sustainable edible garden, growing healthy food for people in the community and generating future generations of farmers and gardeners.”  

“Keep America Beautiful is privileged to have developed such a strong partnership with The UPS Foundation because its values are in such close alignment with our own,” said Matthew M. McKenna, president and CEO of Keep America Beautiful. “Our affiliates are truly grateful to the many UPS volunteers who are engaging in our local, grassroots initiatives.”

“The UPS Foundation is pleased to support Keep America Beautiful because of the broad array of programs and projects that UPS employees can engage in to improve their local communities,” said Eduardo Martinez, president of the foundation. “Past success with this grant program led to an even greater commitment to more Keep America Beautiful affiliates throughout the country. We’re eager to see the results that our grassroots partners can achieve with our ongoing commitment.”