About
The WV Make It Shine Program is a comprehensive program aimed at making WV the cleanest state in the nation. Throughout the state, groups of
volunteers, businesses, community organizations, and local governments are working to accomplish this goal. It is the responsibility of the
WV Make It Shine Program to coordinate the effort of these people to make our state shine.
Contact Us
West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection
REAP - Make It Shine Program
601 57th Street SE
Charleston, WV 25304
Phone: (304) 926-0499
Fax: (304) 926-0446
Email: depwvMIS@wv.gov
Contact REAP
Volunteers Needed for Great Kanawha River Cleanup
When: Saturday, September 7, 2024
Where: Cleanup sites located in Fayette, Kanawha, and Putnam Counties
The annual Great Kanawha River Cleanup, sponsored by the West Virginia
Department of Environmental Protection’s WV Make It Shine Program, is set for Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024
from 9:00 AM to noon. Cleanup sites include Winfield Beach, St. Albans Roadside Park, the South
Charleston boat ramp, and Kanawha Falls at Glen Ferris. Other clean-up sites could be added as the day
of the event nears. This event brings together local volunteers to remove litter from the banks of the
Kanawha River. Each year, tons of trash are collected and disposed of properly. Those wishing to
volunteer for this year’s cleanup are urged to register with the WVDEP so enough supplies can be
obtained for each cleanup location. The WVDEP’s Rehabilitation Environmental Action Plan (REAP) will
supply bags and gloves for volunteers and will arrange for trash to be hauled away. All volunteers will
receive a T-shirt.
To volunteer, or suggest a clean-up location, contact the WVDEP’s Chris Cartwright at
(304) 389-8389 or by email at Christopher.J.Cartwright@wv.gov.
Make It Shine Projects
The WV Make It Shine Program is involved in several events each year. The annual events are listed below.
WV Make It Shine Statewide Cleanup
The statewide cleanup is held during the first two weeks of April each year. During this time, volunteers can receive assistance in conducting cleanups on public lands.
The resources available include gloves, bags, hauling (in conjunction with the DOH), and landfill fees.
2024 Spring Cleanup
Applicants may apply online using the link below. Once your project is approved, REAP staff will coordinate delivery of cleanup supplies, waste hauling and disposal.
For more information, contact Chris Cartwright at DEPwvmis@wv.gov or by phone at 1-800-322-5530.
Applications for the 2024 Spring Cleanup (April 1 through 14) are now available. Applications are due March 8, 2024.
WV Make It Shine Earth Day Celebration
Each year, the Make It Shine Program sponsors an Earth Day celebration at the Clay Center for the Arts & Sciences of West Virginia, in Charleston. During this event,
school children are exposed to various displays regarding environmental protection, resource conservation, and energy efficiency. Many of these displays are "hands-on"
for the students.
Great Kanawha River Cleanup
The WV Make It Shine program sponsors the Great Kanawha River Cleanup. Volunteers can participate at sites in all counties bordering the Kanawha River from Gauley Bridge to Pt. Pleasant.
For more information about participating in the Great Kanawha River Cleanup, call 1-800-322-5530 or contact Chris Cartwright at
depwvMIS@wv.gov.
All locations are scheduled from 9:00-Noon. All volunteers will receive a free t-shirt for participating. This is a great opportunity to earn community service hours or just to show your support for your community. Please call 1-800-322-5530 to register your group. Your registration helps ensure that enough supplies are available at each site.
2023 Cleanup Results
Ohio River Sweep
The West Virginia Make It Shine Program is happy to be a co-sponsor of the largest cleanup of its kind in the United States. Historically, on the third Saturday of every June, this year communities along the Ohio River pitch in to clean the river and its banks of litter. For more information on participating in the Ohio River Sweep, call 1-800-322-5530.
WV Make It Shine 2023 Award Winners Announced
Each year, to encourage environmental stewardship throughout West Virginia, the WV Make It Shine Program sponsors its Clean County and Community Awards.
These awards recognize county solid waste authorities and municipalities for implementing REAP programs as well as other environmental initiatives.
Clean County Award
The Clean County award recipients receive a stipend provided by the program to fund current and future environmental projects within their county or
within other areas of the state as they see fit.
This year's WV Make It Shine Clean County Award winners were:
First Place
Greenbrier County Solid Waste Authority
Runner-Up
Berkeley County Solid Waste Authority
Community Award
The top Community award recipient receives a stipend to help fund environmental projects within their municipality as well as WV Make It Shine Community road signs designating them as such.
Other municipalities receiving recognition also receive WV Make It Shine Community road signs.
This year’s WV Make It Shine Community Award winners were:
Grand Prize
City of Williamstown
Honorable Mention
City of Belmont
WV Make It Shine Teacher of the Year Award
About
To promote environmental stewardship and education in West Virginia, the WV Department of Environmental Protection is proud to sponsor the Environmental Teacher of the Year Award. Winners will be chosen in the Elementary, Middle, and High School levels.
This award is given to educators that have gone above and beyond to promote environmental awareness and stewardship in their classrooms and communities. Each Teacher of the year receives a $500 personal award and a $1000 award to promote Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education in their school. To nominate yourself or another, please submit an application packet.
2024 Recipients
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Tracy Arnold: Leading Creek Elementary School, Lewis County
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Cindy Booth: Kermit PK-8 School, Mingo County
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Melody Hubbard: Clay County High School, Clay County