Posted on Oct 02, 2025 | News,Press Releases
Keep Louisiana Beautiful Awards $105,318 in Greener Grounds Grants to 16 Organizations in 13 Parishes to Prevent Litter and Reduce Waste at Outdoor Events
BATON ROUGE, La. – Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser and Keep Louisiana Beautiful (KLB) are pleased to award $105,318 in Greener Grounds Grants to 16 organizations in 13 parishes. The Greener Grounds Grant supports organizations in implementing best practices for litter prevention and waste reduction at large outdoor events in Louisiana.
“These Louisiana outdoor events are just some of the more than 400 festivals and events happening in our state each year, drawing visitors from around the world to experience our food, music, and culture. The Greener Grounds Grant helps ensure these events are not only fun and memorable, but also clean and sustainable. By reducing litter and improving waste management, we protect our environment, enhance the visitor experience, and strengthen Louisiana’s reputation as a world-class destination,” said Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser. “A cleaner Louisiana means more people will want to visit, return, and share in the culture that makes our state so special.”
“We all love to laissez les bons temps rouler, but we must ensure the waste inevitably created by outdoor events does not threaten our environment,” says Susan Russell, KLB Executive Director. “Keeping event sites clean enhances the attendee experience and stops mismanaged waste from becoming litter. Litter ultimately harms Louisiana wildlife, clogs storm drains, pollutes our waterways, hurts economic development, and impacts our quality of life.”
The Greener Grounds Grant, a reimbursement grant for up to $10,000, supports large outdoor events such as festivals, fairs, concerts, and parades. To be eligible, events must host more than 1,000 attendees and take place between September 2025 and May 2026. Other requirements and restrictions apply.
In 2023, KLB partnered with French Quarter Festivals, Inc. to create the Greener Grounds Guidebook and Workbook to provide practical ways event organizers can plan to manage and reduce waste, increase recycling, and prevent litter at their events. The Greener Grounds Grant supports the implementation of the best practices outlined in the guidebook and workbook, and both publications will be utilized by grant recipients.
KLB encourages all event organizers in Louisiana to use the free guidebook and workbook when planning events. Download the guidebook, workbook, and find more information about the grant program at KeepLouisianaBeautiful.org.
In 2025, KLB awarded $1.12 million in grant funding. Grant opportunities include the Greener Grounds Grant, Healthy Communities Grant, Community Affiliate Grant, University Affiliate Grant, Trash Receptacle Grant, Beautification Grant, Sheriff’s Grant, and the Surveillance Camera Grant. Information on these grants can be found at KeepLouisianaBeautiful.org.
2025-2026 Greener Grounds grantees include:
East Baton Rouge Parish
Event: Louisiana Red Beans and Rice Heritage and Music Festival
Date of Event: March 20-22, 2026
Organization: Louisiana Red Beans and Rice Heritage and Music Festival
Franklin Parish
Event: Crowville Fall Festival
Date of Event: October 18, 2025
Organization: Friends of Crowville
Grant Parish
Event: Louisiana Pecan Festival
Date of Event: November 7-9, 2025
Organization: Louisiana Pecan Festival, Inc.
Iberville Parish
Event: International Acadian Festival
Date of Event: October 24- 26, 2025
Organization: Iberville Parish Government
Jefferson Parish
Event: Gretna Fest
Date of Event: October 3-5, 2025
Organization: City of Gretna
Lafayette Parish
Event: Christmas in the Park
Date of Event: December 12-14, 2025
Organization: Lafayette Moncus Park
Lafourche Parish
Event: French Food Festival
Date of Event: October 24-26, 2025
Organization: Bayou Civic Club, Inc.
Orleans Parish
Event: Lights on the Lake
Date of Event: December 13, 2025
Organization: Pontchartrain Conservancy
Event: Recycle Dat!
Date of Event: February 7-17, 2026
Organization: Grounds Krewe
Event: French Quarter Fest
Date of Event: April 16-19, 2026
Organization: French Quarter Festivals, Inc.
Pointe Coupee Parish
Event: Harvest Festival on False River
Date of Event: October 31-November 2, 2025
Organization: City of New Roads
Rapides Parish
Event: Alex Winter Fête
Date of Event: December 4-6, 2025
Organization: City of Alexandria
St. Bernard Parish
Event: Louisiana Crawfish Festival
Date of Event: March 22-29, 2026
Organization: Louisiana Crawfish Fest Foundation
Tangipahoa Parish
Event: Tangipahoa Parish Fair
Date of Event: October 1-5, 2025
Organization: Tangipahoa Parish Government
Event: Ponchatoula Antique Trade Days
Date of Event: November 7-9, 2025
Organization: Ponchatoula Chamber of Commerce
Terrebonne Parish
Event: Terrebonne Parish Mardi Gras
Date of Event: January 6-February 17, 2026
Organization: Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government
About Keep Louisiana Beautiful
Keep Louisiana Beautiful (KLB) is a state program under the Office of the Lieutenant Governor 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.
Contact Information:
| Melissa Kenyon Keep Louisiana Beautiful 985-778-0067 | Barry Landry Office of the Lieutenant Governor 225-342-7009 |
