Rep. Danny Watson weekly report

Our neighborhoods are more than just places where we live. They are the very essence of our communities, reflecting our values, aspirations, and pride.

Arkansas is ‘The Natural State.’ We pride ourselves on the beauty of our lakes, rivers, woods, and trails. We should also take that same pride in our sidewalks, parking lots, and city streets. We encourage Arkansans to sign up for the Great Arkansas Cleanup.

This year, the Great Arkansas Cleanup will take place from September 7 to October 31.

In 2023, the hard work and dedication of Arkansans paid off, with nearly 150,000 hours spent participating in cleanup activities. Volunteers removed a staggering 514 tons of bulky waste from 2,132 miles of roadways and 772,051 acres of parks and public areas in all 75 counties.

Volunteers cleaned up alongside waterways and shorelines, collected 6,227 tires, and 2,418 tons of recyclables, and planted over 1,878 trees, shrubs, and flowers. Additionally, 182 litter grabber kits were distributed to individuals who wanted to clean their communities but were unable to join larger cleanups.

The impact of The Great Arkansas Cleanup goes far beyond just picking up litter. In 2023, the total economic value returned to communities in Arkansas was nearly $5.4 million. This shows that investing in keeping our state clean pays off in more ways than one. Additionally, there were nearly 23,000 volunteers, representing a 63% increase over the last 5 years. This demonstrates the growing commitment of Arkansans and the power of the community coming together to keep Arkansas beautiful.

By taking part in this statewide community improvement campaign, you can make a difference in your community and help keep Arkansas beautiful for generations to come. Find information on how to organize a cleanup event in your community and register your event to receive free bags, gloves, and t-shirts (while supplies last) at keeparkansasbeautiful.com.

Together, we can continue to make our state a cleaner, greener, and more vibrant place to live. Let’s work together to make Arkansas even more beautiful!