Posted on Feb 13, 2026 | January,News,Press Releases
New Orleans to Host the 2026 Keep America Beautiful National Summit
BATON ROUGE, La. – Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser and Keep Louisiana Beautiful (KLB) are pleased to welcome the Keep America Beautiful National Summit to New Orleans from February 26-28 at the Marriott New Orleans. This event will bring a record attendance of 500 leaders against litter from across the U.S. to discuss best practices and innovative strategies for litter reduction, beautification, and community stewardship. Among the leaders attending are 83 individuals representing KLB affiliates and partners.
“Since bringing Keep Louisiana Beautiful under the Office of the Lieutenant Governor, we’ve made it a top priority to clean up our state and truly put the paradise back in Sportsman’s Paradise,” said Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser. “Hosting the Keep America Beautiful National Summit in New Orleans is an incredible opportunity to showcase the progress Louisiana has made while learning from innovative leaders across the country. From the growth of Love the Boot Week – our largest statewide litter removal effort – which is now in its fifth year to stronger partnerships, youth education, and enforcement, we are building real momentum. I’m proud of how far we’ve come and excited to continue raising the bar for a cleaner Louisiana.”
Lieutenant Governor Nungesser will open the summit alongside Keep America Beautiful President and CEO Jennifer Lawson. Kicking off the event is a carnival-themed procession, featuring the Mardi Gras Indians, followed by KLB affiliates from across Louisiana. The affiliates represent communities dedicated to achieving a cleaner, greener Louisiana.
Susan Russell, KLB Executive Director, will later lead a panel on litter enforcement and accountability, featuring Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser, Rep. John Illg, Jr. and Travis Huval, Litter Enforcement Specialist. Russell will also speak in the sessions, Protecting Our Waters: Partnership in Action to Reduce Litter and Pollution and From Crews to Campaigns: Creative Approaches to Litter Removal. Cabell Mouton, KLB Community Engagement and Affiliate Services Director, will speak about the KLB University Affiliate network, the largest group of its kind in the country.
Additionally, Louisiana will be receiving recognition during the Keep America Beautiful awards luncheon. Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LA DOTD) and the Department of Culture, Recreation, and Tourism will receive Outstanding State Agency Partnership Awards. Lieutenant Governor Nungesser and LA DOTD Secretary Glenn Ledet will accept the award. Keep Tangipahoa Beautiful will receive an Innovation Program Award for their work in youth litter education. Susan Russell, KLB Executive Director, will receive the Sue Smith Award, Keep America Beautiful’s highest award recognizing dedication and a legacy of work.
On Friday evening, February 27, the Lieutenant Governor will host the Louisiana Loves You reception at the Cabildo on Jackson Square, welcoming summit attendees to learn about and enjoy Louisiana culture and history.
Summit highlights include:
- Discussion on the impact of litter on tourism and economic development
- Emerging technologies for recycling, beautification, and community revitalization
- Insights into how litter prevention and cleanup efforts support public health, safety, and community pride
- Opportunities for participants to exchange ideas, learn from proven models, build partnerships, and celebrate local successes
Registration for the Keep America Beautiful National Summit is now closed.
About Keep Louisiana Beautiful
Keep Louisiana Beautiful (KLB) is a state program under the Office of Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser and the Department of Culture, Recreation, & Tourism promoting personal, corporate, and community responsibility for a clean and beautiful Louisiana. KLB supports local communities through programs and resources for litter education, prevention, removal, enforcement, beautification, recycling, waste reduction, and sustainability initiatives. KLB is affiliated with the national organization, Keep America Beautiful, and is supported by a robust statewide network of Community Affiliates and University Affiliates. Learn more at KeepLouisianaBeautiful.org.
