Keep Texas Beautiful (KTB), a statewide nonprofit dedicated to environmental sustainability and community improvement, has recognized Cuero as a Gold Star Affiliate— its highest honor for community affiliates.
Gold Star status is awarded to affiliates that demonstrate exceptional commitment to keeping their communities clean, green, and beautiful through education, volunteer engagement, and impactful programs.
'Keep Texas Beautiful affiliates are the heart of our mission, and we are proud to recognize those that go above and beyond,' said Suzanne Kho, Executive Director of Keep Texas Beautiful. 'Our Gold Star Affiliates lead by example—recruiting and managing volunteers, hosting cleanup and beautification projects, and inspiring positive change in their communities.'
In 2024, KTB affiliates engaged over 60,000 volunteers who contributed to collecting 1 million pounds of waste and recyclables from Texas roadways, trails, and waterways. Cuero played a key role in this effort, implementing programs that reduce litter, promote recycling, and enhance the local environment.
Keep Cuero Beautiful members and community members participated in Don’t Mess with Texas highway cleanup, in the KTB Waterway Cleanup at Cuero Lake, in the Annual Plant Swap, hosted Earth Day coloring contest and the “Make Something from Nothing’ holiday ornament contest both encouraging students to reduce, reuse, and recycle. KCB also partnered with the City of Cuero and O&A Rocks to renovate the US Post Office landscaping after several citizens expressed their concern on FaceBook.
To encourage citizens to plant native plants and to use them, KCB hosted Denise Goebel, County Extension Agent, speaking on a variety of uses of herbs. KCB members decorated a commercial window in the Downtown Historic District to participate in America Recycles Day Nov 15 explaining proper methods of recycling. In March 2024 KCB dedicated the GCAA landscaping grant project on 183 N & S with representatives of TXDOT and the City present.
Angie Cuellar, Executive Director of Cuero Chamber of Commerce, stated “KCB is an invaluable asset to our community. The members’ dedication to enhancing the beauty and sustainability of Cuero has made a lasting impact. The Cuero Chamber of Commerce is proud to collaborate with KCB on many meaningful projects. KCB’s success in being awarded the Governor’s Community Achievement Award (GCAA) multiple times allowed for the completion of several outstanding landscaping initiatives that have truly elevated the charm and appeal of our City.”
Affiliates earning Gold Star status must demonstrate strong organizational leadership and community engagement. They share their mission and goals, report on economic development and diversity initiatives, and participate in statewide recognition programs such as the Beautify Texas Awards and Governor’s Community Achievement Awards. Affiliates also provide a letter of support from their local community.
KTB will honor all 2025 Gold Star Affiliates during the Keep Texas Beautiful Conference in Austin on May 6, 2025.3
