Governor Reynolds Proclaims April as Keep Iowa Beautiful Month

DES MOINES — Governor Kim Reynolds has officially proclaimed April as Keep Iowa Beautiful Month, continuing a statewide tradition that promotes community pride, environmental stewardship, and local engagement.

The proclamation encourages Iowans to take part in programs that focus on cleanliness, beautification, and sustainability in communities across the state.

State Representative Megan Jones, who also serves on the Keep Iowa Beautiful board, joined organization leaders at the Iowa State Capitol on April 6 to mark the occasion during the group’s annual awards and scholarships ceremony.

For more than a decade, Iowa governors have recognized April as Keep Iowa Beautiful Month, urging residents to play an active role in preserving the state’s natural beauty through volunteer-driven efforts. This year’s designation carries added significance as it coincides with preparations for America’s 250th anniversary on July 4, 2026.

The 2026 proclamation also highlights Keep Iowa Beautiful’s participation in the nationwide “Greatest American Cleanup,” an initiative aimed at creating cleaner, more vibrant communities ahead of the country’s semiquincentennial.

“This month serves as a powerful reminder of our shared responsibility to care for and protect the places we live, work, and play,” said Andy Frantz, executive director of Keep Iowa Beautiful. “From small towns to larger cities, every act of beautification contributes to the vibrancy and health of our communities.”

As part of this year’s celebration, Keep Iowa Beautiful is partnering with Keep America Beautiful to offer Plant Iowa Beautiful mini-grants. The grants will support community projects such as planting trees, flowers, and gardens to enhance public spaces.

Frantz said the program is designed to encourage local involvement and long-term community improvement.

“Community beautification mini-grants like these empower residents to transform local public spaces, fostering neighborhood pride, enhancing quality of life, and boosting local economies,” he said. “Through these grants, we are turning small-scale beautification into large-scale civic engagement.”

The grants will range from $500 to $1,000. Communities can apply online, with a priority deadline of April 16 at 5 p.m. A secondary deadline of May 5 will be offered if funding remains available.

Keep Iowa Beautiful Month reflects the mission of the statewide nonprofit to improve community vitality and raise environmental awareness. As an affiliate of Keep America Beautiful for more than 25 years, the organization works with local governments, businesses, and community groups through initiatives such as Hometown Pride, Paint Iowa Beautiful, and Pick-Up Iowa.

About Keep Iowa Beautiful
Founded in 2000 by Governor Robert D. Ray and Donald F. Lamberti, Keep Iowa Beautiful is a statewide nonprofit dedicated to empowering Iowans to create vibrant communities through volunteer-driven programs. The organization focuses on strengthening local leadership, enhancing public spaces, and fostering civic pride across Iowa.