WV Make It Shine Program

​​​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


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

Lick Creek Make It Shine Cleanup 2010

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

Kirby the Trash Can at 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.

2024 Earth Day Celebration

The Earth Day celebration for 2024 is scheduled for Tuesday, April 23 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm at the Clay Center. Register at GroupReservations@theclaycenter.org or by calling the box office at (304) 561-3570

Great Kanawha River Cleanup

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

Ohio River Sweep Cleanup

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.

2023 Recipients

  • Tiffany Pace: Cross Lanes Elementary, Kanawha County
  • Amelia Mullens: Barrackville Middle School, Marion County
  • Renee Haines: Martinsburg High School, Berkeley County

Application and Related Documents

Contact Us

Annette Hoskins
601 57th Street SE
Charleston, WV 25304
Phone: (304) 926-0499 x49759
Toll Free: (800) 322-5530
Fax: (304) 957-0338
Email: Annette.L.Hoskins@wv.gov