The Keep Atlanta Beautiful Commission, a division of the Department of Public Works and a Keep America Beautiful affiliate, recently received the President’s Circle Award at the Keep America Beautiful National Conference in Washington, D.C. The President’s Circle Award recognizes certified Keep America Beautiful affiliates committed to ending littering, improving recycling and beautifying their local community.

In qualifying for the award, the Commission met standards of merit by conducting an annual Community Appearance Index, an index which visually assesses overall appearance of communities through indicators such as litter, illegal signs, graffiti, abandoned or junk vehicles, and outside storage. In addition, the Commission conducted a cost/benefit analysis which measured the organization’s ability to leverage community resources to beautify Atlanta. The Keep Atlanta Beautiful Commission also formed a coalition of community organization committed to the mission, conducted community cleanups and hosted scrap tire drives.

“We are proud to be honored by Keep America Beautiful for the work we do every day to promote a cleaner, greener and sustainable Atlanta,” said Kanika Greenlee, Executive Director of the Keep Atlanta Beautiful Commission. “I would like to thank our partners who consist of several city departments, private organizations and local community groups. We are grateful they have joined our mission to take action and beautify our great city.”

Established in 1953, Keep America Beautiful consists of a national network of more than 620 community-based affiliates whose programs, initiatives and efforts, supported by millions of volunteers, help transform public spaces into beautiful places.