New Year Resolutions

KDB, You, and those New Year’s Resolutions

It’s a new year, and that means you have probably made some resolutions to help you reach a goal or two. Here at KDB, we think we can help you reach a few of those.

Giving back to my community

Everything we do at KDB benefits Denton directly – our money stays right here to cleanup your streets, give out trees to your neighbors, and provide grants to local schools. You can help us achieve our mission of a clean, beautiful, vibrant Denton by:

becoming a member (we even have Business memberships!)
giving a one-time donation
sponsor an event or program

Volunteer more

If this is one of your resolutions, KDB has you covered! We have lots of volunteer opportunities – for groups and individuals!

If you want to clean up your neighborhood, sign up for a Meetup Cleanup
If you’re interested in playing with dirt, help out at one of our Garden Workdays
Take part in Denton’s largest community-wide cleanup event by signing up to either participate or volunteer at the 31st Annual Great American Cleanup

For more information, visit our website or contact our Program and Volunteer Coordinator, Carly Weld, at volunteer@kdb.org or (940) 349-8738.

Plan for the future

A great way to plan for the future is to plant a tree! It may seem small now, but in time, that tree will provide much needed shade. Trees provide more benefits than shade, though, like decreased energy costs, increased property values, and decreased crime. Early spring a good time to plant – so check out of Denton’s local nurseries to chat about a tree for your yard. You may be eligible for a Tree Rebate on your utility bill if you plant a qualifying tree.

Receive a free when you attend a Free Tree Class at the Denton Redbud Festival on April 13. Read more and sign up beginning March 11.
Register to receive a free tree at the 2019 Community Tree Giveaway on Oct. 19. Choose from one of seven native or adapted tree species to enhance your hard. Learn more here and register beginning Oct. 1 at kdb.org.

2 months ago

2018-19 KDB Grant Awards

Environmental Education & Neighborhood Beautification Grants

Since 2007, KDB has given out grants for environmental education and neighborhood beautification projects to Denton area schools and community groups. This year, KDB awarded a total of $4,740 in grant funding to ten groups. These grants funded school projects to build raised bed gardens, revitalize landscaping, plant trees, sustain existing gardens, and build outdoor learning areas. Through the projects, students are not only able to learn about the environment, but how to become better stewards of the environment. The neighborhood beautification projects funded this year include the construction of a healing garden and landscaping to enhance a new office space. The grants seek to beautify spaces in Denton while nurturing a sense of community pride, and we think this year’s projects did just that!

Total amount in grants: $4,740

Neighborhood Beautification Grants – $1,990

Good Samaritan Society – Lake Forest Village – $1,000
Denton Assistance Center, Inc. (Serve Denton) – $990

Environmental Education Grants – $2,750

Cornerstone Cooperative – $450
Fred Moore High School – $500
Ginnings Elementary School – $500
Guyer High School – $300
Immaculate Conception Catholic School – $500
Koan School – $500

This year’s grant winners were honored at a special reception held at KDB’s offices on Dec. 6, 2018. View photos from the event below.

These grants were generously underwritten by the following sponsors:

Grants Reception & Check Presentations

Cornerstone Cooperative Preschool receives grant check for their outdoor learning area designed for preschoolers.

Fred Moore High School receives grant check to construct a campus garden.

Guyer High School Green Team receives grant funding for learning gardens on their campus.

Ginnings Elementary honored at KDB’s Grant Awards Reception.

Koan School receives grant check to fund their early childhood outdoor learning area.

Immaculate Conception Catholic School receives grant funding to sustain their existing campus vegetable garden.

Good Samaritan – Lake Forest Village receives grant check to build a healing garden for its residents.

KDB presents check to Serve Denton to partially fund landscaping at their new offices.

Ginnings Elementary presented with grant check at school campus visit.

2 months ago

Dallas Drive Mural

Mural Artscapes Project

Have you seen the mural that’s going up on the railroad bridge at Dallas Drive and Eagle Drive?! KDB’s long-time vision is finally becoming a reality! The work started late November, but it was all set in motion in late 2016 when the KDB Mural Artscapes Committee selected the site. After a blind review, the Committee and KDB Board selected Dallas-based artist Dan Colcer for the mural that serves as an entry into Denton.

The project really took off this past July when KDB received a $10,000 grant from Keep America Beautiful/Lowe’s Community Partners. The grant, along with an earlier $900 grant from the Greater Denton Arts Council and a sponsorship from Denton Municipal Electric, covers the artist fee and cost for the road closure.

The City’s Community Improvement Services department prepped the site by removing the existing, fading mural and graffiti, clearing brush from the site, and applying a base coat as part of their graffiti abatement program. With a clear canvas, Mr. Colcer began work on November 26.

The KDB Board of Directors wanted the mural to represent Denton and highlight landmarks and local plants found in our vibrant community. The mural includes the iconic Denton County Courthouse-on-the-Square, Denton Firefighters’ Museum, Little Chapel in-the-Woods, the Murchison Performing Arts Center, and various native plants and flowers.

A few days have been lost due to cold temperatures and wet weather, but the mural is expected to be completed just in time for the new year. If you drive by and see Mr. Colcer working, be sure to give him a honk to let him know how much you love the mural!