Keeping Arizona Beautiful: What’s Ahead in 2026 — and Why It Matters
Arizona’s landscapes tell our story — from desert trails and riverbanks to neighborhood parks and small-town main streets. Keeping those places clean, healthy and accessible doesn’t happen by accident. It happens because communities show up to help clean up.
That’s where Keep Arizona Beautiful comes in.
Founded in 1984 and now a Local First Arizona initiative, Keep Arizona Beautiful is the state affiliate of Keep America Beautiful — and a driving force behind community cleanups, waste reduction and environmental stewardship across Arizona.
In rural towns, tribal communities, suburbs and cities, Keep Arizona Beautiful brings together volunteers and partners to make Arizona cleaner and more resilient.
For many volunteers, the impact is immediate and personal.
“You leave knowing you made a difference that day,” shared one cleanup participant. “But you also leave more connected — to your neighbors, to the land and to why this work matters.”
By the Numbers: Statewide
Keep Arizona Beautiful’s work adds up — not just in pounds and tons, but in healthier communities.
68,800+ pounds (34.5 tons) of waste diverted from landfills since 2015
3,605 pounds (1.8 tons) of litter removed from Arizona communities in 2024
10,990 pounds (5.5 tons) of food rescued for local families
But Keep Arizona Beautiful isn’t just about cleanups and recycling — it’s about creating real change and sustainable systems that benefit our environment, businesses and communities.
“Cleanups are often an entry point,” says Tailer Shadron, Sustainability Initiatives Specialist at Local First Arizona. “What we’re really building is an awareness and sense of responsibility — people seeing themselves as caretakers of the places they live, work and gather.”
Looking Ahead: Keep Arizona Beautiful in 2026
In 2026, Keep Arizona Beautiful is focused on expanding its reach, deepening partnerships and bringing more Arizonans into the work of caring for the shared places we love. Check out planned events below:
January 10, 2026 | Quechan Youth Coalition Cleanup
Along the banks of the Colorado River, Quechan youth leaders will take the lead on a cleanup at Sunrise Point Park. In partnership with the Quechan Tribe’s Parks & Recreation Department and Cultural Committee — and in collaboration with Keep California Beautiful — this event centers youth engagement, environmental care and cross-border cooperation. (Note: This event is not open to the public.)
January 14, 2026 | Tombstone High School Community Project
In Tombstone, students and community partners will come together for a multi-part campus improvement project: planting shade trees, clearing overgrown paths, repainting campus fixtures and removing debris behind the agriculture building.
February 7, 2026 | Bulldog Canyon Area Cleanup
A winter cleanup is planned for the Tonto National Forest region, with the exact site to be finalized following a new location assessment. This flexibility reflects a key principle of Keep Arizona Beautiful’s work: respond where the need is greatest, not just where it’s familiar.
April 18, 2026 | Payson Earth Day Community Cleanup & Festival
Earth Day in Payson will be a full community celebration. Volunteers will kick off the morning with cleanups across multiple locations, then gather downtown for a festival featuring local organizations, vendors and lunch. In partnership with Keep Payson Clean and the Arizona Humane Society, volunteers can even walk adoptable shelter dogs while collecting litter — beautifying the community and maybe finding a new best friend.
September 2026 | Pickin’ Up in the Pines
Returning to Northern Arizona, this large-scale cleanup is in partnership with Coconino National Forest, the National Forest Foundation, Tread Lightly!, Oak Creek Watershed Council, Arizona Game and Fish Department and ADEQ.
Small actions, taken together, add up to lasting impact.
More cleanup events and opportunities to get involved will be shared throughout the year as plans come together. If you’re looking for a hands-on way to care for the places you love — and the communities that depend on them — Keep Arizona Beautiful invites you to join in.
Get Involved:
Learn more about Keep Arizona Beautiful
Sign up to receive our newsletters, or check our community events calendar for details on upcoming cleanups and related events
Is your business, community or organization interested in partnering with Keep Arizona Beautiful? Contact us at kazb@localfirstaz.com
