School Partnerships

Keep Smyrna Beautiful offers programs for local Smyrna schools. We believe in encouraging environmental stewardship in the classroom. Below is a list of our offerings and contact information. You may also wish to download our School Partnership Packet for more details.

Reach out to Julie Barwig at jbarwig@smyrnaga.gov or 770-431-2863 for additional information on any of the programs listed below.

School Grants

Keep Smyrna Beautiful offers grants annually for all schools located in the City of Smyrna. Grants can encompass beautification, gardening, or environmental education projects. These grant funds are made available for each school year and are up to $1,000.

There are two application periods for the 2023-2024 school year. The fall application period is from August 1, 2023-November 3, 2023. The spring application period is January 1, 2024-April 1, 2024. Grant applications must be received by 5pm on the last day of the application period to be considered.

Environmental Studies Scholarships

Keep Smyrna Beautiful is offering $1,500 scholarships for students currently pursuing or planning to pursue a degree in an environmentally related field. Scholarships are eligible for students that are Smyrna residents or high school students currently enrolled in Campbell High School or Whitefield Academy.

Teacher Continuing Education Scholarships

Keep Smyrna Beautiful offers Smyrna public school teachers continuing education scholarships to attend
trainings in environmental education. Funding is available for up to $500 for course/training fees,
lodging, substitutes, etc. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis from August 1, 2023-April 1, 2024.

School Campus Beautification

As part of the nation’s largest community improvement program, the Great American Cleanup, Keep Smyrna Beautiful hosts the Great Smyrna Cleanup to support litter cleanups and beautification projects on school campuses in the City of Smyrna between April and June each year. Request for volunteers and/or supplies should be made at least four to six weeks in advance. Availability of supplies will depend on other events and requests.

Recycling Center Tours

As part of our education program, we offer tours of the Smyrna Recycling Center to the public. We offer tours for up to 10 people every third Friday of the month from 9:00am-10:00am. Pre-registration is required. Click here to sign up. We also offer private school tours, which provide age-appropriate lessons about recycling in addition to a tour of the facility.

Recycling Center Tour Guidelines

Paper Making Demonstrations

Keep Smyrna Beautiful offers paper making demonstrations for schools, which show how a piece of paper can be recycled into a brand new sheet of paper. During the demonstration, the Keep Smyrna Beautiful representative will talk about the recycling process and discuss what items can be recycled. This demonstration is best suited to students between the ages of 6-8 years old.

Project WET, Wild, and Learning Tree Activities

With a certified educator on staff, Keep Smyrna Beautiful offers a variety of environmental education activities using Project WET, Wild, and Learning Tree materials. Project WET materials cover water education, Project Wild materials cover wildlife education, and Project Learning Tree covers material about trees, forests, and the environment. The curriculum that can be provided can be used from Pre-K-8 grades and can incorporate a variety of subject matters including visual arts, language arts, math, physical education, science, social studies, and preforming arts.

© 2023 by Keep Smyrna Beautiful.