The Link

3/18/2013
KEEP IOWA BEAUTIFUL

Kyle Munson, Iowa Columnist, Featured Speaker at Keep Iowa Beautiful Conference

Keep Iowa Beautiful’s 9th Annual Conference is scheduled for Wednesday, May 1 in Greenfield, Iowa at the Warren Cultural Center. The featured keynote speaker will be Kyle Munson, Iowa Columnist for The Des Moines Register.

Munson is a well known journalist who likes to roam all 99 counties in search of our most colorful characters and intriguing stories, one small town and county at a time. He will be sharing his stories to encourage conference participants to improve their own communities. The theme for this year’s Conference is Taking A Leap of Faith: Creating Vibrant Communities.

Other workshops planned for the Conference include Persistence Pays Off, stories from Iowa communities who have successfully implemented beautification projects; Adoption Efforts for highways, streets, neighborhoods, waterways and other places in Iowa; Rural Beautification project ideas, youth service learning through beautification projects as well as an overview of Keep Iowa Beautiful’s grant programs and services. Keep Iowa Beautiful will also award its’ annual Byers Environmental Scholarship awards at the conference.

The day-long conference is a great opportunity for community leaders and volunteers to share and learn ways to build stronger communities. Registration is $35, including breaks and lunch, or $25 for current KIB members. Registration materials and additional information available by email: jbailey@keepiowabeautiful.com

Midwest Living magazine says “The Warren Cultural Center is a shining example of what thoughtful building restoration can accomplish. Though not yet complete, visitors will still find this a lovely facility blending old and new and eventually providing a solid venue for entertainment, dining and lodging. The center is comprised of three side-by-side buildings on the Greenfield Public Square. The opera house, added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979, is the main attraction. The renovated lobby doubles as art gallery space and features white walls, high ceilings and beautifully refinished wooden floors.” The Opera House was a recipient of a Derelict Buildings grant through Keep Iowa Beautiful and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources in 2011.

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Keep Iowa Beautiful was established in 2000 becoming the 23rd State Affiliate of Keep America Beautiful. It is a 501c3 charitable organization working with Iowa citizens, neighborhoods, communities and regions in improving the quality, beauty and cleanliness of our State. KIB empowers Iowan’s to have a greater commitment in building pride and respect in the places we live. Please check out our web page at www.keepiowabeautiful.com

(CONTACT: Gerald F. Schnepf – KIB Executive Director (515) 323-6507 gschnepf@keepiowabeautiful.com)