The Collegiate Environmental Steward Award is presented to a college student or student group going above and beyond to make their campus community clean, sustainable, and beautiful. Their campus involvement and leadership have led to measurable change and inspired others to volunteer. The recipient embodies vision, leadership, determination, and collaboration.
As an undergraduate at the University of New Orleans, Emma Bourgeois played a pivotal role in activating the Keep UNO Beautiful affiliate and inspiring student participation in campus sustainability efforts. An earth and environmental sciences major, she organized monthly litter cleanups, placed recycling bins across campus, and created innovative upcycling opportunities for Mardi Gras beads, Halloween costumes, and clothing. When UNO’s recycling contract was canceled, Emma stepped in to collect and transport recyclables off-campus herself. She also led waste audits, student sustainability surveys, and community outreach, ensuring that her peers were engaged in solutions. Through her leadership, creativity, and persistence, Emma helped lay the foundation for a lasting culture of environmental stewardship at UNO and in her broader community.
