Statewide honor recognizes leadership in beautification, litter prevention, and community engagement
(San Saba, Texas) – Keep Texas Beautiful has named San Saba a recipient of the 2026 Governor’s Community Achievement Award (GCAA), one of Texas’ highest environmental honors. The award was announced May 14 during the 2026 Keep Texas Beautiful Conference and recognizes Texas communities that demonstrate outstanding leadership in beautification, litter prevention, waste reduction, and community engagement.
San Saba was recognized for its longstanding commitment to beautification, environmental education, recycling, and community partnerships. Known as the “Pecan Capital of the World,” the community has transformed public spaces through downtown revitalization, extensive landscaping efforts, historic preservation projects, and ongoing beautification along major TxDOT corridors. In 2025 alone, volunteers and partners planted more than 2,400 annuals, maintained over 52 planters and multiple public gardens, and distributed approximately 200 wildflower seed packets throughout the community.
San Saba also demonstrated exceptional impact through litter prevention and recycling initiatives. Community cleanups mobilized more than 100 volunteers and removed over 58,000 pounds of litter, recycled thousands of plastic bottles, and diverted more than 160 tires from landfills. Since 1999, the City’s recycling program has remained a cornerstone of the community’s environmental stewardship efforts, processing nearly 57 tons of recyclable materials in 2025 alone.
Environmental education and youth engagement continue to play a major role in the community’s success. Through programs such as Kids Nature Kamp, school recycling initiatives, pollinator gardens, educational field trips, and hands-on conservation lessons, San Saba reaches hundreds of students annually with environmental learning opportunities designed to create lasting stewardship for future generations.
“ Congratulations to San Saba for this hard-won award,” said Sara Walters, Executive Director of Keep Texas Beautiful. “This recognition reflects the community’s commitment to environmental stewardship, beautification, and volunteer-driven impact that makes Texas stronger and more vibrant for everyone.”
Since 1969, Keep Texas Beautiful has recognized communities making a lasting impact through environmental stewardship and community improvement. In 2026, the Governor’s Community Achievement Awards program also marks 40 years of partnership with Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), which has provided more than $54 million in landscaping grants to winning communities since 1986.
The 2026 winning communities are: Eden / San Saba / Argyle / Lago Vista / Ennis / Duncanville / Friendswood / Longview / Mesquite / Brownsville.
Communities are evaluated by an independent panel of judges across key areas, including public awareness, community leadership and coordination, beautification and community improvement, litter prevention and cleanup, solid waste management, and environmental education.
In addition to statewide recognition, San Saba will receive a commemorative cast-aluminum plaque honoring the achievement, along with a $110,000 landscaping project from Tx-DOT to support a future community improvement project along a state-maintained roadway in the community.
For more information about the Governor’s Community Achievement Awards and this year’s winners, visit Keep Texas Beautiful.
About San Saba
Known as the “Pecan Capital of the World,” San Saba is a historic Texas Hill Country community recognized for its scenic beauty, vibrant downtown, historic preservation efforts, and strong community spirit. Through partnerships, volunteerism, and environmental stewardship, San Saba continues to invest in projects that enhance quality of life for residents and visitors alike.
About Keep Texas Beautiful Keep Texas Beautiful is a nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring and empowering Texans to keep their communities clean and beautiful. Through programs focused on beautification, litter prevention, recycling, waste reduction, and community engagement, KTB supports a statewide network of affiliates, volunteers, and partners working to improve communities across Texas.
Founded in 1967, KTB reaches millions of Texans annually through grassroots programs, education, and volunteer action.
About Texas Department of Transportation Texas Department of Transportation is responsible for maintaining more than 80,000 miles of road and supporting aviation, maritime, rail, and public transportation across the state. Through collaboration and leadership, TxDOT delivers a safe, reliable, and integrated transportation system that enables the movement of people and goods.