Posted on Jun 12, 2024 | Blog,News
Congratulations to the 2024 Love the Boot Award Winners
Keep Louisiana Beautiful (KLB) and the Office of the Lieutenant Governor are pleased to announce the 2024 Love the Boot award winners – all of which demonstrated a commitment to the well-being of their communities through litter removal, beautification, and education during Love the Boot Week in April.
“These organizations stepped up and showed what it means to Love the Boot,” said Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser. “I commend them for their efforts to clean up and beautify Louisiana. Let’s all keep working together to put the paradise back in our Sportsman’s Paradise.”
“Congratulations to the 2024 Love the Boot Award winners,” said Susan Russell, Executive Director of KLB. “Your energy and enthusiasm were like nothing we’ve ever seen. Thank you for promoting environmental stewardship in your communities.”
Outstanding State Agency: LA Department of Transportation and Development
LDOTD picked up an incredible 152,475 pounds of litter at more than 10 different cleanups along Louisiana roadways. This is the largest Love the Boot effort, with LDOTD removing more litter than any other group.
Outstanding Nonprofit Organization: Shreveport Green
Shreveport Green’s Love the Boot Week efforts shined with over 500 volunteers collecting 27,242 pounds of litter during a city-wide cleanup event. They also hosted an Earth Day celebration at their Urban Farm featuring beautification projects, educational stations, plantings, and a community mural painting.
Outstanding Parish: St. Charles Parish Government
St. Charles Parish Government mobilized 1,195 volunteers to pick up 26,285 pounds of litter, dedicating an impressive 3,585 volunteer hours in the process. This was the parish’s largest Trash Bash event yet, showcasing a widespread community effort and excellent leadership.
Outstanding City: City of Winnfield
The City of Winnfield made a substantial impact by collecting 13,460 pounds of litter. Their combined cleanup efforts with the Winn Parish Police Jury demonstrated strong community unity and a collective commitment to maintaining a clean environment and a thriving hometown.
Outstanding University: Xavier University of Louisiana
A dedicated KLB University Affiliate, Xavier held both beautification and cleanup projects during Love the Boot Week. Students and staff cared for their campus community by cleaning up 675 pounds of litter and planting 27 trees and 125 plants.
Outstanding K-12 School: Pierre Part Elementary
Pierre Part Elementary’s 110 volunteers picked up 9,850 pounds of litter and refurbished two gardens with 40 new plants. Collaborating with Keep Assumption Beautiful, the school’s young volunteers demonstrated exceptional environmental leadership.
Outstanding Recycling Award: Keep Bossier Beautiful
Keep Bossier Beautiful collected 667 aluminum cans and 661 plastic bottles with the help of 707 volunteers across four projects. Working together with Operation Clean Sweep, they showcased their dedication to recycling, community cleanliness, and collaboration. Recycling was made possible by Coca-Cola and Osprey Initiative.
During Love the Boot Week 2024, 19,441 individuals volunteered a total of 100,712 hours at over 760 events, removing a record 347 tons of litter in all 64 parishes. Diverted from the landfill and recycled were 7,044 aluminum cans (293 lbs.) and 6,847 plastic bottles (330 lbs.). In addition to litter removal, volunteers focused on community beautification, planting 921 trees and 4,408 plants, and refurbishing 366 gardens.
“There are 143.8 million pieces of litter on Louisiana roadways, and litter costs taxpayers $91.4 million each year,” said Russell. “Litter removal is just one piece of the puzzle to cleaning up Louisiana. We must Love the Boot 365 days a year by picking up litter when we see it, bagging our trash and covering our cans, cleaning out our truck beds, and securing our loads.”
Learn more about Love Boot Week at www.lovetheboot.org and find litter prevention tips at www.letlouisianashine.org.
