To those who live there, Norfolk is more than just a city. It’s a place where children are raised, inspiration manifests, drinks are shared, and people call home.

Did you know that last year Keep Norfolk Beautiful (KNB) collected more than 172,000 pounds of litter and debris from Norfolk streets, waterways, shorelines, and green spaces? That’s like 17 Mac Trucks worth of trash. But what is the KNB exactly?

Keep Norfolk Beautiful is a program of the Norfolk Environmental Commission, whose mission is to lead citizens toward environmental stewardship. Each year, KNB coordinates over 8,000 volunteers in various cleanup, education, and beautification projects throughout the city. As a local affiliate of the national organization, Keep America Beautiful, KNB works with 5,000 of those volunteers each spring during the Great American Cleanup to remove litter, fix up, and beautify public spaces.

But that’s not all they do. Raising environmental awareness is another aspect of the KNB. Last year, they provided environmental education to 14,000 students in Norfolk.

So what can you do to help keep Norfolk beautiful?

1. Kick off the weekend and celebrate our favorite planet by partaking in the Earth Day Happy Hour at the Belmont House of Smoke (co-sponsored by AltDaily!). From 5-9, indulge in “earthy” drink and appetizer specials, DJ, trivia games, and door prizes. Click here to check out the Facebook event page.

Added bonus: Just up the street is GreenBuildIt’s Home Tour in Park Place–they’re celebrating the completion of their second (absolutely stunning) LEED-certified house in the neighborhood. Click to find out more and make it a two-for-one night in celebration of all things green.

2. VOLUNTEER. At the heart of “I Keep Norfolk Beautiful Day” (Saturday, April 23) is the Great American Cleanup, from 9 am to noon. As well, events are planned through spring and are open to groups, individuals, and organizations of all sizes and ages. For more details go to www.norfolkbeautiful.com or call (757) 441-1347.

3. Participate in the “I Keep Norfolk Beautiful” Scavenger Hunt, also on Saturday, April 23, from 10 am to 2 pm. It’s a day of discovery as you explore Norfolk’s beautiful secrets in a hunt around the city for eclectic and natural wonders. There will be prizes for best costume, highest score, and more. Click here to check out the Facebook event page. Or just register online by clicking here.

4. Remember that change starts in your own backyard. You don’t have to do something really extravagant to make a big impact. Like the saying, A little can go a long way, even picking up trash you see on the walk to work helps keep Norfolk Beautiful.

Disclosure: AltDaily is helping to sponsor and organize the Earth Day Happy Hour, and is also an advertising avenue to help promote I Keep Norfolk Beautiful Day.