FAYETTEVILLE -- The City of Fayetteville has been named a 2024 Volunteer Community of the Year.
The award is co-sponsored by the Governor's Office, Arkansas Municipal League and EngageAR, according to a release from the city.
Mayor Molly Rawn will accept the award Thursday, Jan. 16, during the Arkansas Municipal League's 2025 Winter Conference in Little Rock.
Fayetteville was recognized for its dedication to environmental protection and conservation, both in the City's sustainability efforts as an organization and its residents' year-round engagement, the release states.
"Our residents, volunteers and City staff work hard year-round to keep Fayetteville a clean, beautiful and healthy community. Being recognized as a Volunteer Community of the Year is an honor and a testament to the dedication of everyone involved." Rawn said in the release.
"We are truly grateful for this recognition and proud for visitors to see it displayed as they enter our city."
Fayetteville was recognized for the following civic engagement services and programs:
- Waste-diversion services, including the City's recycling program and its food waste and composting programs.
- Native ecology protection and restoration, including invasive species removals and the annual Celebration of Trees giveaway.
- Environmental-cleanup events, such as parks and waterway cleanups, the annual Earth Day community wide cleanups and the City's Adopt Your Outdoors program.