ABOUT US
Since 1979, Keep Golden Isles Beautiful has been a leader in helping keep the Golden Isles of Georgia clean, green and beautiful.
A volunteer and community based educational organization, volunteers contribute 9,000+ hours annually in Keep Golden Isles Beautiful efforts, programs and initiatives.
Keep Golden Isles Beautiful is a Keep America Beautiful and Keep Georgia Beautiful Foundation affiliate.
A public/private partnership, Keep Golden Isles Beautiful depends on monetary, in-kind and volunteer support from individuals, businesses, local governments, civic/community organizations and schools to provide litter prevention, waste reduction, recycling, community greening, water resource and educational programming and activities to Brunswick and Glynn County citizens.
A 501(C)(3) non-profit organization, Keep Golden Isles Beautiful functions under the leadership of a volunteer Board of Directors and Advisory Board and a two-person paid staff.
History
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1979 - Brunswick-Glynn County Clean Community Commission established
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1987 - renamed Glynn Clean and Beautiful
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1997 - re-organization as Keep Brunswick-Golden Isles Beautiful
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2015 - renamed Keep Golden Isles Beautiful
Recent Awards & Recognition
Keep Golden Isles Beautiful programs and projects have garnered both State and National awards thanks to strong community partnerships and massive volunteer effort.
KEEP AMERICA BEAUTIFUL
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Top Cigarette Litter Prevention Program in the Nation / 2017, 2019
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Top three national Cigarette Litter Prevention Programs / 2014, 2015, 2016
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Affiliate Award of Excellence / 2016, 2019
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President’s Circle Recognition Award / 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026
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Communicating Beautifully National Award / 2025
KEEP GEORGIA BEAUTIFUL FOUNDATION
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Affiliate of the Year / 2016, 2018, 2019
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Executive Director of the Year / 2016
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Affiliate Award, 2nd place / 2014, 2015, 2017
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Waste Reduction & Recycling Award / 2018
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Innovative Partnership Award / 2018
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Greenspace Guardian Award / 2024
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Community Catalyst / 2025
STATE OF GEORGIA
The Governor’s Circle Award / 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026
RIVERS ALIVE
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Coastal Cleanup Award / 2015
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Coastal Cleanup Award / 2021
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Keep Georgia Beautiful Award / 2024
SAVANNAH SUSTAINABILITY COUNCIL
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Coastal Sustainability Award / 2025
UGA MARINE EXTENSION AND GEORGIA SEA GRANT
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Outstanding Partner Award / 2025
BRUNSWICK-GOLDEN ISLES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
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Small Business of the Month / July 2026
Mission Statement
to preserve and enhance the beauty of Glynn County through community stewardship
Vision Statement
to be recognized as a beautiful, clean and sustainable community
Shared Vision Statement
working together to make Brunswick and the Golden Isles an exceptional place in Georgia to live, work and visit, by strengthening our communities and enhancing the quality of life
Staff
Lea King-Badyna
Executive Director
Lea’s love and enthusiasm for coastal Georgia is contagious. With over 30 years of experience in public/community/media relations, volunteer management and event planning/organization in the Golden Isles, she actively promotes the organization, its programs and volunteers to galvanize community support and participation in helping keep the Golden Isles clean, green and beautiful. Her understanding of the importance of coastal natural resources stems from a decade of work with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources/Coastal Resources Division and tenure with the University of Georgia Marine Extension Service and Georgia Sea Grant. During her time at GADNR/CRD, Lea organized “CoastFest” – Georgia’s largest outdoor celebration of the state’s coastal, natural, historical and cultural resources which draws over 9,000 visitors annually. An avid recycler, litter picker-upper and community volunteer, Lea understands the power of volunteerism and its crucial role in community betterment.
Lahra Meusel
Executive Assistant
A professional organizer, former teacher and business director, Lahra brings a wealth of skills and experience to support and elevate KGIB clean and beautiful processes, programs and efforts - AND she’s volunteered with KGIB serving as a litter cleanup Site Leader, cleanup volunteer and education volunteer. Lahra is involved in KGIB donor management and finances, administer of the Adopt-A Program, runs the School Recycling Challenge and Non-Traditional Recycling Program, councils the public on proper recycling and waste disposal practices and local options, and joins in education and outreach efforts (among other things). A big fan of dogs, Lahra's side gig is as a dog sitter, and she is eager to make friends with every pooch crossing her path!
Board of Directors
Ben Brewton
Associate
Drew/Eckl Farnham
Attorneys at Law
CHAIRMAN
Tammy Fluech
Owner
Typebird Creative
VICE CHAIRMAN
Dawn Franco
Marine Biologist
Georgia DNR, Coastal Resources Division
SECRETARY / TREASURER
Cheston Broomell
Owner
Broomelli Boys Pizzeria
Rob Brown, PhD., P.E.
Senior Water Resources Engineer & Brunswick Office Manager
GMC Environmental
Student Engagement Manager
Partnership for Inclusive Innovation
Cody Cocchi, M.ED.
Brian Corry, Esquire
Attorney
McQuigg, Smith & Corry, LLC
Clement Cullens
Attorney
McQuigg, Smith & Corry, LLC
Zack Gowen
Proprietor
Georgia Sea Grill
Jim Jacobs, CMFC
Financial Professional
Jacobs, Coolidge & Co., LLC
Jesse LeGrand
Credit Analyst
South Coast Bank & Trust
Sabrina J. Nixon, EDD
Psychologist
Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools
Dale Provenzano
Retired
Tom Reagan
Owner
Coastal Can Cleaners
Sadye Souther, DMD
Dentist
Marshview Dental
Sam Tostensen
SE GA Field Director for
Senator David Perdue
United States Senate
Spud Woodward
Retired
Jennifer Zamudio
Owner
Dot & Army
Advisory Board
Karen Bass
General Manager
Embassy Suites Golden Isles
EX OFFICIO
Scott McQuade
President & CEO
Golden Isles Convention & Visitors Bureau
EX OFFICIO
Kelly Ross
Real Estate Assistant
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Hodnett Cooper Real Estate
EX OFFICIO
Kevin Runner
General Manager
Westin Jekyll Island
EX OFFICIO
Greer Anderson
Jim Broadwell
Lisa Gurganus
Duane Harris
Mathew Hill
Jeffrey Johns
Teresa Mason
Ron Maulden
Rosemary Maulden
Regina McDuffie
Dale McNabb
Ralph Staffins III
Joel Willis