Organ Mountain News report

LAS CRUCES - Youth groups in Las Cruces with members 24 years old and younger can apply for a $150 stipend to participate in a Keep Las Cruces Beautiful cleanup project. The opportunity is available through May 1, 2025, with funding provided by the New Mexico Tourism Department’s Clean and Beautiful program.

The program has allocated a limited number of stipends for youth groups that meet eligibility requirements. To receive funding, groups must complete a vendor packet and commit to a cleanup project. Keep Las Cruces Beautiful will provide gloves, bags and grabbers. After the cleanup, participants must return the grabbers and any unused items, along with a cleanup report, to the program’s office before the stipend is issued.

Eligible groups can choose cleanup locations, including neighborhood streets, parks, trails or other areas in need. Keep Las Cruces Beautiful can also recommend locations that require attention.

Interested groups can register online by visiting the Cleanup Opportunities tab on the Keep Las Cruces Beautiful website. Stipends are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Once a group submits its registration, a program coordinator will reach out with further instructions. After notification, the group coordinator will have one week to submit the vendor packet, which is required to receive funding. The stipend will be issued after the project is completed and may take up to 30 days to process.

For more information, contact Keep Las Cruces Beautiful at 575-528-4506, TTY 711, or email KLCB@lascruces.gov.