Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser and Keep Louisiana Beautiful (KLB) today announced the outstanding results of the inaugural Love Our Waterways month, Louisiana’s first statewide coordinated cleanup dedicated to protecting local water resources. Throughout September, residents in every corner of the state rolled up their sleeves to clean and preserve Louisiana’s vital rivers, lakes, bayous, and shorelines.
The month-long push mobilized more than 4,300 volunteers across 51 parishes. Working at 327 individual cleanup events, these volunteers put in hours valued at nearly $1.8 million in community labor. Together, they successfully hauled away 68 tons of trash and debris, along with 177 discarded tires, from state waters and banks.
Among the most common items collected were plastic beverage bottles, metal cans, and plastic snack packaging. The strong turnout reflects a growing statewide momentum to preserve the natural resources that fuel Louisiana’s culture, economy, cuisine, and quality of life.
“Sportsman’s Paradise is defined by our water, and the incredible response to our very first Love Our Waterways month shows just how deep our Louisiana pride runs,” said Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser. “When we stand up to take care of our own backyards, there is absolutely nothing we cannot accomplish. I want to offer my sincere thanks to every single volunteer, local business, and community leader who got their hands dirty to help keep Louisiana beautiful.”
“Every cleanup begins with someone deciding to make a difference,” said Keep Louisiana Beautiful Executive Director Susan Russell. “The cleanup events demonstrate how individual actions add up. We encourage residents to keep that effort going year-round by volunteering in their community, picking up litter when they see it, and disposing of waste properly.”
Volunteers tackled the litter from all angles, participating in shoreline sweeps, storm drain cleanouts, and waterway cleanups by boat. KLB supported these local efforts by distributing more than 200 supply kits containing trash bags, gloves, and event t-shirts.
The campaign brought together a diverse coalition of participants, including local nonprofits, civic groups, state and local government agencies, schools, universities, businesses, families, and Keep Louisiana Beautiful Affiliate organizations.
Love Our Waterways also secured $205,000 in private sponsorships, proving the state’s business community is deeply invested in environmental stewardship.
Special thanks go to the generous sponsors who made this initiative possible: Dow Chemical, The Alta and John Franks Foundation, Keep America Beautiful, Niagara Cares, Airboat Adventures, Livingston Parish Tourism, Pinnacle Polymers, Waldemar S. Nelson, Roy O. Martin, Crescent River Port Pilots’ Association, Port of Krotz Springs, Couvillion Gulf Coast Marine Solutions, Cleco, Daybrook, Five‑S Group, The Kearny Companies, Port NOLA, Premier Plaza, South Tangipahoa Parish Port Commission, Creole Queen, Lowe’s, Stine, Councilwoman Jennifer VanVracken, and Pigeon Catering.
To learn more about the initiative, visit LoveLaWaterways.org. To find year-round volunteer opportunities and resources to fight litter, visit KeepLouisianaBeautiful.org.