In a powerful display of community spirit and environmental stewardship, Keep Bossier Beautiful (KBB) led its first-ever large-scale water-based cleanup this past Saturday along the scenic shores and inlets of Lake Bistineau.
Partnering with nearly 35 volunteers and several local organizations, KBB launched an ambitious effort to remove debris from the lake’s ecosystem. The event marked a significant milestone for the group, which has traditionally focused on land-based beautification projects.
“This is the first water cleanup of this scale for Keep Bossier Beautiful, and we are delighted with the outcome,” said Lynn Bryan, Executive Director of KBB. “The success of today’s event proves just how much can be accomplished when people come together with a shared purpose.”
Volunteers from the Bayou Chapter of the Ozark Society (BCOS) played a central role in the initiative, co-hosting the event alongside KBB. They were joined by conservation-minded members from Sisters on the Fly, Sister Corps, and community supporters from Advanced Air Conditioning & Heating.
Armed with kayaks, boats, and determination, volunteers scoured the lake’s inlets and shallows for discarded items, retrieving everything from tires and buckets to fast food containers and other debris. The waste was ferried back to shore using a custom-designed 24-foot by 8-foot trash-hauling boat, where it was loaded into roll-off dumpsters.
District 1 Police Jury representative Kim Gaspard supported the cleanup by sponsoring two dumpsters to manage the waste haul-off. The Bossier Parish Police Jury also played a vital role, hosting the event at the Parish Road campground and boat launch in Elm Grove, providing an ideal base for the day’s operations.
Following the cleanup, volunteers gathered to enjoy a well-earned lunch, generously provided by Advanced Air Conditioning & Heating, and to reflect on the success of the day.
With this inaugural aquatic cleanup declared a success, KBB leaders say the Lake Bistineau event is just the beginning of a broader effort to expand water-based environmental initiatives across the parish.
“This lake is a treasure,” said Bryan. “We’re proud to be part of protecting it—and we’re excited to see where this momentum will take us next.”
For more information on future cleanup events or to get involved, visit keepbossierbeautiful.com.