To celebrate Earth Day, which officially takes place on April 22, local citizens gathered in Brooksville on Saturday, April 21, 2018 to clean up the downtown area. Members of the Brooksville Women’s Club, Brooksville Main Street, Brooksville Wesleyan Church, the Brooksville Garden Club and the City of Brooksville Beautification Board were among the groups that participated.
The Beautification Board is appointed by City Council and consists of seven voting members, a student liaison member from a local high school and a City Council representative. This board is responsible for the city’s beautification through education of the citizens, holding contests and organizing events to further this cause.
At a tent set up in the parking lot of City Hall, Beautification Board chairperson Scott Renz and other members were displaying signs and preparing for the various groups to gather after their morning of picking up trash. Publix Supermarkets and Pepsi-Cola had donated food and beverages for the volunteers.
Members of the board also participate in the Adopt-a-Street and Adopt-a-Trail program. Volunteers go out four times a year and pick up litter on designated streets and trails.
Besides Earth Day, the Beautification Board is also involved in Arbor Day activities to promote awareness and preservation of trees and plants. They hold a poster contest for school children and award prizes. The children are also able to plant a tree. Since Brooksville is designated a Tree City USA, keeping Brooksville “green” is very important to the Board.
This year’s Arbor Day festivities will be held on Friday, April 27 at the One-Room School House located at 66 Russell Street.
