Posted on Sep 17, 2024 | News,Press Releases
Keep Louisiana Beautiful Awards $65,070 in Greener Grounds Grants
BATON ROUGE, La. – The Office of the Lieutenant Governor and Keep Louisiana Beautiful (KLB) are pleased to award $65,070 in Greener Grounds Grants to ten organizations in seven 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 stepping up and taking steps to protect our beautiful state from litter and divert unnecessary waste from the landfill,” said Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser. “Less litter results in a cleaner and healthier environment and an improved event goer experience.”
“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,” said 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 2024 and May 2025. 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.
Download the guidebook, workbook, and find more information about the grant program at KeepLouisianaBeautiful.org. KLB encourages all event organizers in Louisiana to use the guidebook and workbook when planning events.
2024-2025 Greener Grounds grantees include:
Jefferson Parish
Event: Gretna Fest
Organization: City of Gretna
Lafayette Parish
Event: Festivals Acadiens et Créoles
Organization: Festivals Acadiens et Créoles, Inc.
Event: Festival International de Louisiane
Organization: Festival International de Louisiane
Orleans Parish
Event: Bayou Boogaloo
Organization: Friends of Bayou St. John
Event: Recycle Dat!
Organization: Grounds Krewe
Event: NOLA Zydeco Fest
Organization: New Orleans Zydeco Foundation
Ouachita Parish
Event: Northeast Louisiana Celtic Fest
Organization: City of West Monroe
St. John Parish
Event: St. John the Baptist Parish Andouille Festival
Organization: St John the Baptist Parish Government
St. Landry Parish
Event: Eunice Cajun Mardi Gras Festival
Organization: City of Eunice Main Street
Tangipahoa Parish
Event: Italian Festival
Organization: Tangipahoa Parish Government
Keep Louisiana Beautiful (KLB) is the state’s leading anti‐litter and community improvement organization focused on achieving a cleaner, greener Louisiana through education, enforcement, public awareness, and community engagement. 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.
