On June 13, 1989, the Keep Arkansas Beautiful Commission was created by gubernatorial executive order to implement a statewide litter-prevention and recycling program. The Commission consisted of Jerry Atchley of Little Rock, Carl Garner of Tumbling Shoals and 28 other prominent Arkansans. Keep Arkansas Beautiful Inc. was established as a 501(c)(3) charitable and educational foundation to support the Commission. In 1997, the current KAB Commission was created as a result of Amendment 75 with the same mandate. The Commission operates as a division of the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism. It consists of nine commissioners appointed by the governor and a staff of three, with funding provided by 1 percent of the revenue from the eighth-cent Conservation Tax. The Commission is a certified state affiliate of Keep America Beautiful Inc., the nation’s premier community environmental improvement organization. In 2002, Keep Arkansas Beautiful Inc. was reorganized as the Keep Arkansas Beautiful Foundation and remains a 501(c)(3) organization for the exclusive purpose of supporting and benefiting the programs and activities of the KAB Commission. |
 |
|