Venice Area Beautification, Inc.

09/04/2026

🌿 SAVE THE DATE! YOU’RE INVITED! 🌿

We are excited to invite our community to the Grand Opening of the Venice Urban Forest!

📅 Saturday, November 14, 2026
⏰ 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
📍 308 E Venice Ave, Venice, FL 34285

For eight years, volunteers, partners, and community supporters have worked to transform and restore this special natural corridor. Today, the Venice Urban Forest stretches nearly two miles and is home to 5,000+ trees, 20,000+ native plants, and more than 100 documented bird species.

On November 14, come walk beneath the trees, discover the wildlife, explore the Forest Walk, meet some of the people behind the project, and help us celebrate how far the forest has grown.

• Nearly 2 Miles of Restored Forest
• 5,000+ Trees
• 20,000+ Native Plants
• 100+ Bird Species
• 2020 Outstanding Urban Forestry Project
• Community-Powered

Mark your calendar and join us for this very special morning in the Venice Urban Forest!

For more information, visit:
vabi.org/Venice-Urban-Forest

08/25/2026

"Venice Area Beautification, Inc. would like to send a big shout out of thanks to our City Public Works guys, Parks, Facilities & Maintenance Specialist John Perkins and Tree Crew Leader Ace Hancock," said VABI's Linda Lewis, who sent us this photo. "We appreciate your work!"

We appreciate yours too, and the City's amazing partnership with VABI 🤝

08/24/2026

🌸 What a wonderful way to start the morning!

Members of VABI’s Bloom Team stopped by the new MRT Greenhouse Cafe in Venice, and we loved seeing this photo from their visit!

MRT is a wonderful community partner, and we are so grateful for their continued support and our shared commitment to making Venice an even more beautiful place to live, work, and visit.

Thank you to our friends at MRT for the warm welcome and for all you do for our community! 💙

Thanks Venice Area Beautification Inc for stopping by our North Venice MRT Greenhouse Cafe this morning! We appreciate all you do to keep the City of Venice so beautiful! 🌸

07/22/2026

💙 We are incredibly proud of our dedicated KVB volunteers for another amazing day of service!

A heartfelt thank you to our incredible Team KVB volunteers for once again rolling up their sleeves to care for the Venetian Waterway Park trail. Whether it's removing invasive plants, improving the trail for visitors, or tackling projects that often go unnoticed, every hour they volunteer helps preserve the natural beauty of Venice for our entire community.

We are also grateful to the City of Venice for recognizing the efforts of our volunteers. Partnerships like these demonstrate what can be accomplished when a community comes together with a shared commitment to keeping Venice beautiful.

Thank you to every VABI volunteer who continues to make a lasting difference. Your dedication, hard work, and love for our community never go unnoticed. 🌿

07/04/2026

🇺🇸 Happy Fourth of July!

As we celebrate our freedom this Independence Day, we honor the brave men and women who have served and sacrificed to protect it.

Their courage and commitment have helped preserve the liberties we enjoy today. Wishing you and your loved ones a safe, joyful, and meaningful Fourth of July! ❤️🤍💙

07/02/2026

💙 We are incredibly proud of our dedicated Keep Venice Beautiful (KVB) volunteers for another outstanding day of service at West Blalock Park!

A heartfelt thank you to our amazing volunteers, along with Monty Andrews, who generously donated their time and energy to help prepare the park for the upcoming July 4 Community Picnic. Their hard work included trimming, weeding, removing invasive plants, picking up litter, and hauling away three truckloads of debris to help keep this beautiful community space looking its very best.

We are also grateful to the City of Venice for recognizing the efforts of our volunteers. Partnerships like these help make Venice an even more beautiful place to live, work, and visit.

To everyone who continues to volunteer with VABI, thank you. Your dedication, passion, and commitment truly make a lasting difference in our community!

06/14/2026

📬 Stay Connected with VABI!

Want to see how volunteers, community partners, and supporters are helping make a difference throughout Venice each month?

Subscribe to the VABI Community Newsletter and receive updates on team projects, upcoming events, and community news.

Discover the people, projects, and partnerships helping keep Venice, Florida beautiful, vibrant, and thriving. 💙

Sign up today and stay connected with the work happening across our community!

🔗 Subscribe here: https://vabi.org/contactus/

05/25/2026

🇺🇸 Today, we honor and remember the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Their courage and service will never be forgotten. Wishing everyone a meaningful and reflective Memorial Day. 💙

05/19/2026

Venice Area Beautification, Inc. (VABI) was honored to recognize two outstanding City of Venice employees, Derek Self and Dustin Little, during yesterday’s VABI Board of Directors meeting with Certificates of Appreciation for their quick thinking and heroic actions during the April 7th fire at the VABI building.

Because the office was closed and the building unattended that day, the situation could have resulted in catastrophic damage. Thankfully, Derek and Dustin happened to arrive at just the right time, discovered the fire, and immediately took action by reporting the incident and summoning emergency services.

Their prompt response helped save a building that has long served not only as VABI’s home, but also as a valuable community asset supporting organizations such as the Venice Historical Society and Venice Theatre, while also serving the public along the Venetian Waterway Park and Legacy Trail.

VABI expressed its heartfelt gratitude to both gentlemen and shared how proud the organization and community are of their actions and dedication.

Thank you, Derek and Dustin, for helping protect an important part of our community. 💙

APPRECIATION POST 👏 On April 7, a fire occurred at the Venice Area Beautification, Inc. building on the 200 block of Tamiami Trl. N. while the office was closed and unattended. Fortunately, City of Venice Utilities employees Derek Self and Dustin Little happened to discover the fire and immediately contacted emergency services.

Their quick actions are credited with helping prevent potentially catastrophic damage to a building that serves not only as VABI’s longtime home, but also as an important community asset used by local organizations and visitors along the Venetian Waterway Park and Legacy Trail.

During Monday's VABI Board of Directors meeting, Derek and Dustin were recognized and presented with Certificates of Appreciation in recognition of their outstanding actions and dedication to the community. Their actions also serve as an important reminder: If you see something, say something!

📷 by Donna Martinek: City Manager James Clinch, Utilities Field Operations Specialists Derek Self and Dustin Little, and VABI Board President Bill Wilson

05/07/2026

💙 What a beautiful and well deserved honor for two people who have given so much to our community.

Bob and Sue Vedder’s dedication, leadership, and love for Venice has left a lasting impact that can be seen throughout our downtown and felt throughout our community. From the Bloom Team to countless organizations, projects, and volunteer efforts, their legacy continues to help make Venice such a special place.

Thank you, Bob and Sue, for your decades of dedication, passion, and commitment to making Venice more beautiful for everyone 🌺