Past Events

2026 KPB Annual Conference Logo

Oct 14-15, 2026
Annual Conference

This year's theme was Connecting Nature, Community, and Equity. Keynote Speaker Keith Green, from Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS), spoke on how PHS works alongside communities and partners to transform public spaces, increase access to green space, and provide people with the resources and tools to care for the places where they live.

Throughout the day, plenary talks and sessions inspired and informed attendees on using storytelling to further engagement, public relations and media training, local stories of sustainability, a youth panel talk on becoming Next Generation Leaders, and findings from the recent Keep America Beautiful National Litter Study.

The conference again closed with Affiliates in the Shark Tank, inspired by the hit reality TV show. Each team pitched their most innovative and impactful community improvement ideas to a panel of judges, all vying for a $2500 grant.

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Oct 15-16, 2025
Annual Conference

The Conference celebrated 35 years of stewardship, sustainability, and environmental education; and offered an opportunity for affiliates, volunteers, partners, and supporters to review our past achievements, exchange insights and ideas, and grow collectively.

Keynote Speaker Dr. Lara Fowler from Penn State, gave uplifting remarks on building resilience and sustainability in communities during a time of extraordinary change and Jessica Shirley, Secretary at the PA Department of Environmental Protection spoke on the "The Importance of Grassroots Involvement in Community Improvement Efforts." The conference closed with Affiliates in the Shark Tank, a friendly competition inspired by the hit reality TV show. Each team pitched their most innovative and impactful community improvement ideas for a chance to secure a $3500 grant

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Oct 16-17, 2024
Summit for Community Stewardship

Held in coordination with PA Dept of Environmental Protection, PA Dept of Transportation and PA Dept of Community & Economic Development in Scranton. In addition to sessions on marine debris, policy levers for stewardship and education, attendees heard about the link between community activism and stewardship from Kristine Zeigler of Planet Women, the Power of Beauty from Dave Forsell of Keep America Beautiful, and the evolution of community recycling infrastructure from Bob Anderson of Closed Loop Partners.
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Feb 26, 2024
Pick Up PA Community Litter Cleanup Training Webinar

Want to hold a clean up in your community, but not sure where to start? This training includes choosing an event location, organizing volunteers, coordinating trash disposal, accessing resources and more! View the webinar recording and Download the slideshow (PDF).
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Oct 25, 2023 | Affiliate Roundtable | Harrisburg, PA

Agenda topics included:

• Environmental Justice Training
• Working with DEP's Office of Environmental Justice
• Networking Lunch
• KPB Housekeeping
• Working with Youth
• Innovation Across the Network
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Nov 1 & 2, 2022
Litter Summit
Lancaster, PA

The 2022 Litter Summit, was held in partnership with PA Dept. of Environmental Protection and PA Dept. of Transportation as a follow-up to the recently released Litter Action Plan. The Summit provided participating stakeholders an opportunity to reflect on the work of the past year, share progress made towards recommendations, promote new initiatives, and attract new allies in our shared commitment to prevent litter.