Cleaning up Big Lake

BLEDC now hosts an annual clean up campaign where citizens have the opportunity to discard junk and debris free of charge and make a difference in Big Lake. At each of these events, approximately 20 tons of junk, old appliances, and other debris is tossed and many yards, alleyways and empty lots around the city are cleaned and beautified. The initial event was so successful to our goal that we decided to make it reoccurring in the Spring of each year. Volunteers and BLEDC board members and Staff organize and commit to the challenge of providing opportunities to help clean up Big Lake of trash and debris. Volunteers are always welcome to provide assistance to the elderly and less able citizens in hauling away trash, debris and junk. If you would like to volunteer for this service, please contact the EDC for more information.

WE NEED YOU to make a difference!! Please help grow the pride in our town!! We can all make a BIG difference, a LITTLE at a time!!!

Become a VOLUNTEER

2026 - Spring Clean Fling/Tree Give-Away

Saturday - April 25, 2026

9:00 am - 12:00 n

HUGE SUCCESS!!

1200+ lbs of trash taken to landfill

~~~

More than 250 trees planted and distributed to Big Lake residents

REMINDER - It is a violation of City Ordinance to put any debris or trash in alleys! We are providing vouchers for free admittance to the landfill. We do not have the manpower or enough volunteers to cover the entire city to pick up alleys. You are responsible for hauling debris to landfill.
**You may receive a citation/fine for putting items in alley or street!**

Apache Corp. Grants Trees

Apache Corporation Tree Grant Program

"Trees are an invaluable natural resource. They beautify our neighborhoods, provide habitats for wildlife, and help to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. The Apache Corporation Tree Grant Program focuses on large-scale conservation, protection of habitats for wildlife and native species, as well as the restoration and enhancement of public greenspaces. This award-winning environmental stewardship initiative is helping Apache leave a lasting positive impact for current and future generations in the areas where we live and work.

Since 2005, the Apache Corporation Tree Grant Program has provided more than 5 million trees to over 1,000 nonprofit charitable partners and government agencies in the U.S. We donate trees to a wide variety of organizations, including cities, counties, schools, parks, universities, youth associations, wildlife refuges and charitable service groups. In addition to the development and improvement of public parks and greenspaces, community partners often request trees to support a broad range of conservation efforts, including preservation of natural habitats and reforestation." - Apache Corporation website

For the 4th year in a row, BLEDC was recipients of this grant. In 2026, we were awarded a variety of 250 trees to be planted and distributed within the City of Big Lake. Some trees were placed in vacant and open areas which will help birds, wildlife, insects and other living species as well as provide barriers for ground and wind erosion, as well as helping the overall look of our community. The remaining trees were provided to residents to be planted on their property to help beauty and enhance the property.

Once again, an overall success was proclaimed as many residents and community members gathered to pick their tree from a choice of Crape Myrtle, Magnolia, Mayhaw, Hackberry/Sugarberry, Water Oak, Red Cedar, or Mexican White Oak trees. Some residents provided pictures of the planted trees to proudly show their support for the program and their initiative for a cleaner environment.

The Big Lake EDC Advertising and Promotions' Beautification Committee wants to send a huge "THANK YOU" to @Apache Corporation and all of the volunteers that made this year's Spring Clean Fling/Tree Give-Away such a huge success.

Volunteers for this year's Spring Clean Fling/Tree Give-Away include:

Sandra Thompson * Amanda Esquivel * Mauro Ortiz * Connie Ortiz * Rosa Reyes * Cindy O'Bryan * Donna Holden * Eric Cervantes * Christy Cervantes * Anaeca Oropeza * Elias Perez * Erubiel Perez*

2024 - SPRING CLING FLING

Saturday, April 20, 2024

Due to much needed rain and cold temperatures, the 2024 Spring Clean Fling was not as successful as past years have been. The wet conditions required the city landfill to have to close earlier than expected so not as many people were allowed to take advantage of the free dumping. Volunteers were unable to pick up trash and debris from the alleys and vacant lots or other public spaces in the community.

However, volunteers helped until late afternoon to distribute trees to all that ventured out in the cold and wet weather. More than 200 flowering trees were distributed to families and citizens to be planted throughout our community. The only request....."Please take a picture after planting to show proof that the "life sustaining" trees were planted. Below are just a few of the pictures we received from the community. A special "THANKS" to all that obtained and planted the trees and forwarded their pics and stories after the planting! We also want to thank the volunteers that took the time to volunteer for the day and were able to brave the weather to distribute trees. Without volunteers like Melvin Davis, Jr; Nina Gonzales-Oropeza, and Amanda Esquivel and also staff members, Jimmy Barton, Christy Cervantes and Anaeca Oropeza, the annual Spring Clean Fling would not be successful at any time.

THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS!

A huge THANK YOU to the following volunteers that braved the cold and wet weather to help clean up Big Lake. Due to the weather conditions, we could only distribute the trees received from Apache Corporation, but we did it with smiles!

L - R = Anaeca Oropeza, Christy Cervantes, Amanda Esquivel, Nina Gonzales-Oropeza, and Melvin Davis, Jr.

Be the DIFFERENCE in YOUR community!

"Everyone loves to see positive change in the community but few want to help make the change. Be one of the few that actually makes change happen."

This was this year's slogan to help recruit volunteers to help the elderly and/or disabled participate in the 2024 Spring Clean Fling

Plant a tree, for LIFE!

"Every tree planted provides much needed oxygen into the air while absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and utilizes it to build leaves, branches, trunk and roots."

Thanks to a grant from Apache Corporation, the Big Lake EDC was able to give away more than 200 flowering trees to volunteers and citizens of Big Lake. The trees below are the varieties that were available.

Vitex

American Plum

Dogwood

Crape Myrtle

Big Lake EDC receives grant from Apache Corporation!

For the 2nd year in a row, the Big Lake EDC received a grant from Apache Corporation for trees. More than 200 trees, consisting of Crape Myrtle, American Plum, Vitex, and Dogwood varieties. The trees were distributed to volunteers and citizens during the 2024 Spring Clean Fling.

2023 - Spring Clean Fling

April 21 - 22, 2023

Another successful Spring Clean Fling was held April 21 - 22, 2023. To coincide with Earth Day and in partnership with Keep Texas Beautiful, Big Lake volunteers again took to streets, alleyways and vacant lots picking up trash and debris to make Big Lake a better place to live, work and play. Along with the litter and trash collected by the volunteers, many tons of trash and debris was taken to the city landfill and disposed of for free, thanks to the generosity of the City Council of Big Lake.

The success of our efforts depends on the volunteers. A special THANK YOU to the following organizations and people for donating their time to help our cause:

RCISD Elementary Student Council: Presley Lopez, Oliver Barrera, Brantley McKay, Daniel Yanez and their sponsors, Sharon Turnbow and Renea Hallmark. Also volunteering and helping these students were Faith Hallmark and Addison Hallmark.

We also want to thank BLEDC Board Members Delfina Romero and Lissa Cammack and Mayor Pro-Tem Cindy O'Bryan for donating their time to volunteer and picking up trash and litter.

As well, Assistant Director/Beautification Partnership Committee Leader Kayla Neatherlin and Committee Members Loretta Epperson, and Amanda Esquivel spent much of the day picking up trash and volunteering their time.

We also want to thank locally owned Dos Amigos T-Shirt Company for doing a great job of making sure our logo was put on the safety vests and completed in time for the event to keep everyone safe.

Board Members

Lissa Cammack and Delfina Romero volunteer their time to make the Spring Clean Fling successful

Volunteers

BLEDC Board Members and staff, RCES Student Council, and Beautification Partnership Committee Members volunteer to "Clean Up Big Lake"

RCES Student Council

Future leaders and their sponsors took the time to volunteer to pick up trash from roads, alleyways, and the RC Courthouse during the 2023 Spring Clean Fling

Free Voucher for residents

Thanks to the generosity of the Big Lake City Council, residents of Big Lake were provided vouchers which allowed them to clean up their property and take the trash and debris to the city landfill for free on April 21 - 22, 2023. Many residents took advantage of this opportunity and eliminated many tons of junk, trash and debris from Big Lake.

Apache Corp grants trees

To coincide with the 2023 "SPRING CLEAN FLING", Apache Corp., granted BLEDC a donation of 50 trees native to the West Texas region. Drought, deer, and wind tolerant varieties were donated to be used at project sites, parks, and distributed to the public.

A very special THANK YOU to Apache Corp. for helping Big Lake stay beautiful.

2021 - Spring Clean Fling

April 22 - 24, 2021

In conjunction with Earth Day, the BLEDC hosted another City Wide Clean-up allowing free dumping on April 22 & 23, and junk pick up as well on April 24, 2021. 20+ tons of junk and debris was removed from alleyways, vacant lots, yards, and the streets of Big Lake.

We would like to thank ALL of the volunteers that made this event so successful. Just another way of proving we're HOMETOWN PROUD and why LIVING IS GREAT IN BIG LAKE!

Volunteers and workers included:

City crew - Sheri Benson (City Administrator), Leo, Tyler Doege, Maria, Felipe, George Barrera, Josh Row, Justin Chavez, Elijah Reyes, Ysmeal Villareal, Alfonso Ybarra, and others; Lissa Cammack and Cindy O'Bryan (Big Lake City Council), Kim Sexton (BLEDC Board President), Miranda Davidson (BLEDC Board Secretary/Treasurer), Sylvia Campos, Haley Rich, Aaron Gunnels, Elder Murdock, Elder Hargraves, Desiree Romero, Loretta Epperson (Director, BL Chamber of Commerce), Kayla Neatherlin (BLEDC Assist. Director), Jimmy Barton (BLEDC Exec. Director), and all of the citizens of Big Lake that brought debris and garbage to be disposed of. THANK YOU Everyone!!

More than 24 volunteers and workers showed up to help! #AWESOME

Members of the Big Lake City Council as well as BLEDC Board Members volunteered their time!!

City workers made sure everything was done right!!

More than 20 tons of debris and garbage were removed from alleyways, vacant lots, private property and the streets of Big Lake

More than 24 volunteers and workers showed up to help! #AWESOME

Members of the Big Lake City Council as well as BLEDC Board Members volunteered their time!!

City workers made sure everything was done right!!

More than 20 tons of debris and garbage were removed from alleyways, vacant lots, private property and the streets of Big Lake

2020 - Fall Junk Haul

November 14, 2020

The first event was a very successful clean up initiative that rid many tons of junk, old appliances, discarded furniture, and other debris. Many yards, alleyways and empty lots around the city were cleaned and beautified with the help of volunteers, City of Big Lake personnel and EDC staff.

Volunteers include Jake and Kelly Ferguson and Larry and Nina Hallmark. City personnel were Mayor Phil Pool, City Administrator Sheri Benson, Josh Row, Karen Arnie, Ashley Rangel, Mario Botello, Justin Chavez, Tyler Doege, George Barrera and others. BLEDC Administrative Assistant Kayla Neatherlin kept things moving as well.

Volunteers were invaluable!!

Several tons of debris were cleared from our alleys, vacant lots, and yards!!

Another trailer load of "junk"

Hauling away the "Junk"

Friends helping Friends - Neighbors helping Neighbors

City Crew brought the "Big Guns"!!

A lot of work but a lot of fun!

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