Non-profit organization Keep Texas Beautiful (KTB) honored four Dallas-area towns with its 2024 Governor’s Community Achievement Awards for outstanding community improvement: Argyle, Anna, Little Elm and Garland.

These winning communities, along with six other communities across the state, will share $2 million in landscape funding for projects to be completed by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). Funding will be awarded based on population. All 10 winners will also receive a commemorative metal plaque.

“The Governor’s Community Achievement awards received over 50 applications from around the state,” KTP Program Director Sara Walters said in a press release. “We are so proud of every community’s efforts. These 10 winning communities represent the hard work and dedication of volunteers around the state to create a better place to live, work and play for all Texans.”

Argyle will receive $90,000 in funding. The community’s local chapter, Keep Argyle Beautiful, participated in a number of recycling and beautification efforts this past year, including Bags to Benches, a project that collects plastic film to be repurposed into benches, and Rewilding Station 511, a native plant pollinator habitat garden project.

Anna will receive $180,000 in funding. Keep Anna Beautiful’s projects included the city’s annual Earth Day celebration and a prairie restoration garden that had its first fully-blooming season in 2023. The city is also recognized as a Tree City USA.

Little Elm will receive $250,000 in funding. Keep Little Elm Beautiful’s projects included its Cease the Grease initiative, which educates citizens on keeping fats, oils and grease out of the wastewater system, and the monthly Solid Waste newsletter.

Finally, Garland will receive $310,000 in funding. Keep Garland Beautiful’s projects included Go Green Garland, a conservation and environmental protection initiative, and Skatepark Respect, a monthly cleanup at the local skate park.