Keep Arizona Beautiful Joins Local First Arizona
Local First Arizona acquisition revives popular environmental sustainability program
PHOENIX (April 22, 2022) — This Earth Day, Local First Arizona (LFA) is proud to announce that Keep Arizona Beautiful is now a part of the LFA family. As a new Local First initiative, Keep Arizona Beautiful will continue to provide guidance and support to communities and organizations throughout Arizona.
For more than 8 years, Local First Arizona has facilitated statewide sustainability efforts, including:
Arizona Green Business Certification, a sustainability consulting program that provides guidance and recognition for businesses operating in an environmentally friendly manner with an emphasis on social and community impact
SCALE UP (Sustainable Communities Accessing Lending and Expertise Upon Performance), an award-winning program that offers a comprehensive seven-week workshop series for locally-owned and operated independent businesses and nonprofits in Arizona
Toward Zero Waste, a waste diversion program designed to reduce the amount of recyclable, compostable, and reusable material that goes to the landfill.
“Local First Arizona has always believed that sustainable change starts locally,” said Kimber Lanning, CEO of Local First Arizona. “That change includes protecting our environment. Keep Arizona Beautiful has done amazing work in our communities for decades and we look forward to increasing the reach and impact of the program across the state.”
The acquisition of KAZB breathes new life into a program that had been dormant for more than two years while providing resources and revenues that will support ongoing sustainability efforts throughout the entire state with a renewed focus on Arizona’s rural communities.
The relaunch of the new KAZB begins on Earth Day as a symbol to the community of the organization’s ongoing commitment to providing programs that keep our state clean and beautiful including litter abatement efforts, recycling programs, prevention of illegal dumping, and the organization of community beautification projects.
We invite you to visit the Local First Arizona website on Earth Day to see the new Keep Arizona Beautiful initiative and follow the program on social media @keeparizonabeautiful.
KAZB Earth Day Events
Virtual Earth Day for the Town of Camp Verde and the Yavapai Apache Nation
Gila River Music Festival – April 22-23
Verde Valley Birding and Nature Festival – April 21-24
Biosphere Run – April 23
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About Local First Arizona
Founded in 2003, Local First Arizona (LFA) is a community and economic development nonprofit working to strengthen local economies. LFA’s areas of focus include developing entrepreneurship, rural and urban community development, racial equity, environmental action, and food access. LFA is the largest local business coalition in the U.S. and advocates for independently-owned businesses of all sizes by assisting local owners with technical assistance designed to help them compete and collaborate, which ultimately strengthens Arizona's economy and builds hometown pride. Visit www.localfirstaz.com for more information and a directory of more than 3,000 locally-owned businesses.