Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful is once again announcing the Litter Hawk Youth Award Program, a recognition program for students in Kindergarten through 6th Grade. Each participant will complete a fun, grade-level-specific project that inspires environmental stewardship and creativity. It’s a chance for kids to learn, lead, and leave a lasting impact, all while earning recognition for their efforts. Kids can participate individually or as part of a lesson initiated by schools, home-schools, scout troops, 4-H clubs, environmental clubs or other organized groups.

The Litter Hawk Youth Award Program is an annual way for kids to share their hope, optimism and concerns about litter and inspire others to care for their communities through art, words or video. This year’s Litter Hawk Youth Award theme is: Celebrate America250 — Keep It Beautiful! in support of the Country’s 250th anniversary on July 4, 2026. Projects include:

— Grades Kindergarten through 4: Poster

— Grades 5: Essay

— Grade 6: Video

First and second place in each grade level will be awarded certificates. All participants will receive recognition of participation with a Litter Hawk sticker. The deadline for participating is Jan. 31, 2026. Winners will be announced on April 2, 2026 in coordination with an awards ceremony at the PA State Capitol Building where all winning entries will be on display as part of the 2026 Litter Hawk Youth Award exhibit. All winners and their families, guardians and teachers are welcome to attend. Special guests will include representatives from the PA Department of Environmental Protection and America250PA.

“We are excited to see how Pennsylvania students feel and think about litter in their neighborhoods, school and other favorite places. Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful believes that engaging youth in protecting the environment not only creates a direct impact on changing behaviors and attitudes, but also influences their friends and families,” said Stephanie Larson, Communications and Program Manager, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful. “We are all responsible for keeping our communities clean and beautiful. This program provides a fun and easy way for students to illustrate respect for the environment and their community.”

The Litter Hawk Youth Award program is funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. For more information, downloadable promotional posters and an entry form, visit www.keeppabeautiful.org/grants-awards/awards/litter-hawk/. Additional questions can be answered by Stephanie Larson at slarson@keeppabeautiful.org or 724-836-4121 ext. 104.

Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful’s vision is a clean and beautiful Pennsylvania. Since 1990, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful has worked with hundreds of thousands of volunteers across the state to pick up nearly 162 million pounds of trash from Pennsylvania’s roadways, waterways, greenways, vacant lots, forestlands and other community spaces. Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful’s core programming focuses on litter and illegal dump prevention, cleanup, community greening, proper waste handling and sustainable practices. Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful works with many partnering organizations on the state and grassroots level to accomplish our goal of a clean and beautiful Pennsylvania. Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful is the state affiliate of Keep America Beautiful, Inc., the nation’s largest volunteer-based community action and education organization.