Posted on Sep 23, 2024 | News,Press Releases
Keep Louisiana Beautiful Graduates Two Universities Into the University Affiliate Program
BATON ROUGE, La. – Keep Louisiana Beautiful (KLB) has graduated its third class of University Affiliates which includes Dillard University in New Orleans and Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond. The KLB University Affiliate program, engaging college students in environmental stewardship and sustainability practices, is the largest and most successful program of its kind in the U.S. with 12 Affiliates.
“Litter removal in our state is just one step in the process. It’s going to take all Louisianans working together to solve this problem. One piece of the puzzle is waste reduction and reaching our young adults and youth to create a significant culture shift, changing habits in Louisiana so we can let our light shine for all to see the beauty we have to offer. I am excited to welcome these two new University Affiliates to our growing team of organizations and volunteers committed to cleaning up our state,” said Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser.
New Affiliates, Dillard University and Southeastern Louisiana University, join Grambling State University, Louisiana State University, Loyola University New Orleans, Nicholls State University, Northwestern State University, Tulane University, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, University of Louisiana Monroe, University of New Orleans, and Xavier University of Louisiana.
“Dillard University is proud to be selected to join the KLB University Affiliate Program,” said Kem Opperman-Torres, Director of Sustainability at Dillard University. “Our students have been engaging in all KLB’s training activities and are eager to officially collaborate to Keep Dillard Beautiful. The support from colleagues in KLB’s University Sustainability Coalition has been invaluable in the growth of sustainability at Dillard.”
“Southeastern Louisiana University is proud to announce its affiliation with KLB as one of the newest members of the University Affiliate program,” said Dr. Robert Moreau, Professor and Manager of Turtle Cove Environmental Research Station. “This partnership underscores Southeastern’s dedication to sustainability and environmental stewardship, bringing with it a range of impactful initiatives aimed at reducing waste and fostering a cleaner, greener campus.
Chris Asprion, Physical Plant Director, a key contact for this initiative at SLU, emphasized the university’s excitement, “Partnering with Keep Louisiana Beautiful aligns perfectly with our mission to engage students in sustainable practices benefitting not only our campus but our surrounding community. We are thrilled to be part of this innovative network.”
“Louisiana’s universities are leading the way in sustainability and waste reduction in higher education,” said Cabell Mouton, Community Engagement and Affiliate Services Director. “Together, these 12 institutions have developed a collaborative forum for learning from one another. There is no other statewide group like this in the country, and I’m just so proud to be a part of their journey.”
The universities have been working together and exchanging ideas in monthly meetings throughout the school year. To become a University Affiliate, the applicants were required to conduct a waste audit, litter survey and assessment, participate in Love the Boot Week, form an Affiliate leadership committee, design an Affiliate logo, and create a work plan.
A new class of University Affiliates will begin in the fall of 2024. Invited to apply are two- and four-year colleges committed to continual improvement in sustainability and environmental issues, the promotion of student environmental stewardship and engagement, and strategic outcome measurement.
More information about the application process can be found on the University Affiliates webpage.
KLB’s University Affiliate program was developed in 2021 in response to a growing interest in sustainability, waste reduction, and litter prevention at the university level. The University of Louisiana at Lafayette, with KLB as a sub-recipient, secured a $500,000 five-year EPA Gulf of Mexico Trash-Free Waters Grant to create and launch the program, develop a litter assessment app, develop educational training videos for campus communities, and fund grant opportunities for University Affiliates.
As Affiliates, universities benefit from KLB staff support, access to KLB tools and resources, use of data collection processes, educational training, and membership in the KLB University Sustainability Coalition. University Affiliates also have the option to apply for grants to support sustainability practices, the reduction of single-use disposables, and litter prevention initiatives.
In two years, the University Affiliate grant program has distributed over $65,000.
“The University Affiliate program engages college students to think critically about non-point sources of pollution while gaining skills in ArcGIS, policy analysis, strategic planning, and community service,” said Susan Russell, Executive Director of KLB. “It’s important we empower our future leaders and help equip them with the resources they need to take action.”
Contact Melissa Kenyon at [email protected] for more information on the KLB University Affiliate program.
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.
