December 7-9, Crowne Plaza Executive Center Baton Rouge
State Conference Schedule
Join us for the 2026 KLB State Conference!
Keep Louisiana Beautiful’s State Conference is an annual educational training and networking forum welcoming all individuals, Keep America Beautiful Affiliates, universities, state and local governmental agencies, community and business partners, and non-profit organizations. Attendees can look forward to learning about proven practices and innovative programs designed to achieve a cleaner, greener, and more resilient Louisiana.
2026 Conference Agenda
Monday, December 7
1:00-3:00 P.M.
Crowne Plaza Executive Center, Baton Rouge
Meetings & Trainings by Invitation
3:00-5:00 P.M.
7923 Tom Dr., 70806
Field Trip: Republic Services MRF
Ever wonder what happens to your recycling after it leaves the curb? Take a guided tour of Republic Services’ Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) to see and learn about the recycling process. This field trip requires closed-toe shoes and involves climbing stairs.
3:00-5:00 P.M.
1001 Capitol Access Rd, Baton Rouge, LA 70802
Field Trip: Capitol Lakes Litter Capture Tour
Join the Louisiana Stormwater Coalition (LSC), Osprey Initiative and TriCoeur for an exclusive tour of litter catchment devices installed and maintained at Capitol Lakes.
- See the Tech: Site specific litter catchment devices installed at stormwater outfalls along the lake.
- Expert Q&A: Connect directly with conservation leaders to ask your questions.
- Community Action: Learn actionable steps for installation of devices in your own community.
This field trip requires closed-toe shoes and involves walking on unpaved ground.
3:00-5:00 P.M.
7711 Goodwood Blvd, Baton Rouge, LA 70806
Field Trip: Library Sustainability Tour and Litter Cleanup
Tour the East Baton Rouge Parish Library’s Main Branch at Goodwood. Highlights will include LEED silver certified architectural design, the recently installed native plant garden, and the library’s sustainability-related programming and initiatives including electronic recycling with CACRC, and a new glass recycling program. Then, checkout KLB’s own Get Down & Clean Up litter supply kits for a neighborhood litter cleanup!
Tuesday, December 8
8:00 A.M. – 9:00 A.M.
Crowne Plaza Executive Center, Baton Rouge
Conference Check-In & Networking
Check-in, grab a coffee, and visit the exhibit hall.
9:00 A.M. - 10:15 A.M.
Onsite
Welcome & Opening Session
- Keynote Speaker: Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser
- State of Keep Louisiana Beautiful, Susan Russell, Executive Director, KLB
10:15 A.M. - 11:15 A.M.
Onsite
General Session: Mississippi River 100 Panel
- Moderator: Beaux Jones, President and CEO of The Water Institute
11:30 A.M. – 12:15 P.M.
Onsite
Breakout Sessions Block 1
- A | RecycleDAT: Five Years of Lessons from New Orleans’ Mardi Gras Recycling Program
- Caroline Vanchiere, Program Manager, RecycleDAT
- B | Clean Waterways Panel
- Matt Hough, Coastal Conservation Association of Louisiana
- Emily Braud, Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program
- Edward Pung, Keep Austin Beautiful
- C | Urban Forestry Programs
- Billie Richard, Keep Terrebonne Beautiful
- Jenee Dansdill, Parish Proud
12:30 P.M. – 1:45 P.M.
Onsite
Circle of Excellence Awards Luncheon
- Recognition of newly formed KLB Affiliates
- Circle of Excellence awards presented to KLB Community Affiliates
2:00 P.M.– 2:45 P.M.
Onsite
Breakout Sessions Block 2
- A | Environmental Centers and Recycling Drop-off Models
- Michael DeSoto, Jefferson Parish Environmental Affairs
- Bess Foret, Environmental Quality Manager, Lafayette Consolidate Government
- B | Education Programs for Young Environmental Stewards
- Katie Felberg, Keep America Beautiful
- Eva Delatte, Keep Louisiana Beautiful
- C | Campaign Sign Recycling
- Susan Russell, Executive Director, Keep Louisiana Beautiful
3:00 P.M. - 3:45 P.M.
Onsite
Steal This
Rapid-Fire Learning and Ideas to Take Home
- Cajun Coast: Trash Couture Fashion Show
- Keep St. James Beautiful: Tour of Clean Biz Restaurants
- Ouachita Green: Fire Hydrant Mini Murals
- Clean Pelican: Government Street Revitalization
3:45 P.M. - 4:45 P.M.
Onsite
Roundtable Discussion Session & Exhibitor Networking
4:45 P.M. - 6:00 P.M.
Onsite
Poolside Happy Hour
Wednesday, December 9
7:00 A.M.-8:00 A.M.
Crowne Plaza Executive Center, Baton Rouge
Exhibitor Hall & Light Breakfast
8:00 A.M.-9:00 A.M.
Onsite
General Session: Findings from the Keep America Beautiful 2026 Litter Study
- David Scott, Keep America Beautiful
9:00 A.M.-9:45 A.M.
Onsite
General Session: Updates from Louisiana State Agencies
- LA Dept. of Transportation and Development
- LA Dept. of Environmental Quality
- LA Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries
10:00 A.M.-10:45 A.M.
Onsite
Breakout Sessions Block 3
- A | Litter Law Enforcement and Illegal Dumping Updates
- Travis Huval, Enforcement Specialist, Keep Louisiana Beautiful
- Kevin Scott, LA Dept. of Environmental Quality
- B | Waterway Litter Catchment Devices with Louisiana Stormwater Coalition
- Jeff Kuehny
- Kelly Hurtado
- Renee Verma
- C | Collaborating for Clean Campuses
- Steven Gergen, Sustainability Manager, Tulane University
- Mark Tobler, Research Ecologist, Loyola University
11:00 A.M.-11:45 A.M.
Onsite
Steal This
Rapid-Fire Learning and Ideas to Take Home
- Keep West Monroe Beautiful: Storm Drain Murals
- Keep Bossier Beautiful: Time Capsule
- Keep Calcasieu Beautiful: Litter Prevention Park Games
- Shreveport Green: Tree Education
12:00 P.M.-2:00 P.M.
Onsite