January

Florida Arbor Day - In 1945 Florida Legislature designated the third Friday in January as our official state Arbor Day to support the need for trees and urban forestry in our community. January's climate is optimal for planting trees in Florida. Citizens are invited to attend the celebration where Keep Manatee Beautiful plants native trees at a city or county park.

April

Earth Day Festival - This two-day event is part of the Florida Heritage Festival SeaFood Fest held in downtown Bradenton. Admission is free. Exhibitors demonstrate how to reduce waste, use water wisely and landscape your Florida yard. The whole family is invited for gifts and fun-filled activities to help keep Manatee County beautiful.

Great American Cleanup on the Upper Manatee River - The Great American Cleanup is the largest grassroots beautification, litter prevention and community improvement program sponsored by Keep America Beautiful. Locally, Keep Manatee Beautiful coordinates Great American Cleanup events in Manatee County in April. For the adventurous, people with boats, canoes and other watercraft can volunteer to improve the scenic beauty and environmental health of the Upper Manatee River by removing litter and storm debris.

Great American Cleanup Countywide including Anna Maria Island, Bradenton and Palmetto - Volunteers are recruited to clean, beautify and improve roadsides, shores, parks and neighborhoods throughout Manatee County. Those with flat-bottom boats, canoes and kayaks can help remove litter from the Braden River.

National Arbor Day - The United States officially observes this day on the last Friday of April to pay tribute to the tree. Citizens are invited to attend the celebration where Keep Manatee Beautiful plants native trees at a city or county park.

May

Golf Tournament - A best-ball four-person scramble to raise funds to support Keep Manatee Beautiful's programs.

September

Awards Program - Businesses, governmental agencies, neighborhoods, multi-family communities and citizens are recognized for surpassing the norm in their cleanup, recycling and landscaping efforts.

October

Florida Coastal Cleanup - The Florida Coastal Cleanup is sponsored statewide by The Ocean Conservancy. Locally, Keep Manatee Beautiful coordinates Adopt-A-Highway, Road and Shore groups to do cleanups on their adopted sections. In addition, other volunteers can report to check-in centers on Anna Maria Island, Palma Sola Causeway, Cortez Village, Emerson Point Conservation Park, Terra Ceia and the Upper Manatee River.

November

SandBlast - Keep Manatee Beautiful takes advantage of its location on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico with SandBlast, a sand sculpture competition that pairs youth groups with local business sponsors to raise funds to support Keep Manatee Beautiful's programs.

For exact dates, contact Keep Manatee Beautiful.