Keep Iowa Beautiful scholarships available

DES MOINES ? Keep Iowa Beautiful is offering up to four, $500 scholarships to Iowa high school seniors in 2012.

Students across Iowa enrolling in an Iowa college or university to major in community enhancement or environmental areas of study are eligible. Paid internships also may be available to scholarship recipients.

Through the leadership of Bob Byers, long-time educator, the organization?s Litter-Free School Campus program was initiated in northwest Iowa in 2003. In memory of Byers and his dedication to the organization, Keep Iowa Beautiful and the Byers family established the Robert E. Byers Scholarship Fund. This scholarship helps to celebrate Byers? dedication to youth, environmental concerns and the well-being of the state.

?Keep Iowa Beautifuls? programs are focused on improving the beauty and attractiveness of Iowa?s communities and neighborhoods through technical assistance and collaboration,? said Gerry Schnepf, executive director of Keep Iowa Beautiful. ?We seek to improve behavior patterns in our younger generations and reinforce values in older generations that encourage respect for home, neighborhood, community and state.?

Students can download the application online at www.keepiowabeautiful.com and return it postmarked by Feb. 7. Contact the offices at 515-323-6507 for information.

Keep Iowa Beautiful was established in 2000, becoming the 23rd state affiliate of Keep America Beautiful. It is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization working with Iowa citizens, neighborhoods, communities and regions in improving the quality, beauty and cleanliness of Iowa. The organization empowers Iowans to have a greater commitment in building pride and respect in the places they live.