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Leading the Charge for a Cleaner Louisiana

On Friday, March 18th, Keep Louisiana Beautiful (KLB) will call on hundreds of our state’s finest public servants, business and political leaders to stand in unity for a cleaner tomorrow at its third annual Leaders Against Litter event.

Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser leads the way by personally inviting more than 1,500 state leaders to volunteer for a morning litter cleanup in 28 local communities followed by a public pledge declaring that they will Speak Up, Pick Up and Stand Up for a litter-free Louisiana. Armed with trash grabbers and matching event t-shirts, groups of local leaders will pick up trash before pledging their commitment to a cleaner state by supporting the efforts of KLB and its network of 39 affiliates.

The day will conclude on the steps of the state capitol in Baton Rouge, where the Lieutenant Governor will take his own personal pledge against litter and hold a press conference to bring public awareness to the enormous toll litter takes on our environment, economy, and public health and safety. It also serves as the kick off to the Great American Cleanup season, a time when all Louisianans are asked to join the pledge and put on their work gloves to go out to clean up their their local communities.

Executive Director Susan Russell introduced the event two years ago when she decided that one of the best ways leaders can affect change is by setting a good example. “Litter in Louisiana is a problem for everyone and we need for everyone to make cleaning up our state a priority. Louisiana’s litter problem deserves the attention and resource of our state that will bring about attitudinal, behavioral, and cultural change.”

Leaders Against Litter is sponsored by Volunteer Louisiana, the service organization established by the Office of the Lieutenant Governor to promote service and volunteerism. Volunteer Louisiana generously provided a Generation Fund grant to fund the Leaders Against Litter event.

Judd Jeansonne, Executive Director of Volunteer Louisiana, is enthusiastic about the leaders taking part in this event. “Keeping our state clean requires all citizens to roll up our sleeves and take action. Leaders Against Litter is about Louisiana’s leaders showing up to walk the walk and encouraging others to do the same. Together, we can work towards a stronger, healthier, more beautiful Louisiana.”

Over the past two years, Leaders Against Litter has garnered the support of over one thousand of our state’s leaders and together they have removed 12,160 pounds of trash from our roadways and green spaces. Ms. Russell is expecting the largest turnout yet this year, with over six hundred local leaders expected to attend.