Year-Round Gift Giving: The Environmental Stewardship Awards

We’re all on the quest for the perfect gifts for families and friends this holiday season.  It takes creativity, determination, and sometimes a bit of luck to score just the right item.

Hopefully you’re finding the search to be a joy, not just another pressure point in your busy life.

At Keep Martin Beautiful, we delight in the knowledge that some members of our community give gifts to the environment all year long. Their generosity and concern don’t have a season. They see a problem or an opportunity, and they’re on it!

Take for example the hundreds of individuals, families, businesses and organizations that are part of the Adopt-a-Road program. Or the hundreds of volunteers who turn out to clean up our beaches and waterways during the International Coastal Cleanup or who take on a project to improve their neighborhood during the Great American Cleanup.

Their time and effort are gifts that help to keep Martin beautiful.

There are many others in our community who have found innovative ways to improve the environment. Some are departments within the city or county government, others are students and teachers in our schools, and still others may be individuals who simply had a good idea and acted on it.

You can give these gift-givers the thanks they deserve by nominating them for a 2026 Environmental Stewardship Award.

Every two years, Keep Martin Beautiful honors organizations and individuals who are improving our local environment and helping to make Martin County such an extraordinary place to live! The nomination process is very simple. There are no entry fees and self-nominations are encouraged!

If you know a person or group who has done something noteworthy for our environment, go to www.keepmartinbeautiful.org  and nominate them today. Nominations close on Monday, December 15.

And while we’re on the subject of gift-giving, here are a few reminders:

1. Wrap it Right:

• Swap wrapping paper for recycled goodies—or the comics page for a laugh.
• Wrap with a scarf for a two-in-one surprise.
• Or go rogue and skip the wrapping entirely!

2. Deck the Halls Sustainably:

• Choose a live Christmas tree with roots for replanting, or an artificial one made from recycled materials.
• Bring in natural decor like painted pinecones or branches.

3. Gifts That Give Back:

• Shop locally or at thrift stores for unique, meaningful finds.
• Gift experiences like concerts, classes, or spa days.
• Donate to a nonprofit in someone’s name.
• Give eco-friendly items like plants.

4. Clean Up Green:

• Recycle and repurpose where possible.
• Use eco-friendly cleaning products.

From all of us at Keep Martin Beautiful, we wish you a joyous and eco-friendly holiday season!