NEW ORLEANS – Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser and Keep Louisiana Beautiful officially kicked off Love Our Waterways September 1, 2026 aboard the Creole Queen in New Orleans, launching a month-long statewide effort to bring Louisianans together to protect the rivers, lakes, bayous, beaches, canals and waterways that are central to the state’s way of life.
The September initiative builds on the success of Love the Boot Week and encourages residents, businesses, schools, civic organizations, outdoor groups and families to take an active role in removing litter and protecting Louisiana’s waterways. More than 260 cleanup events have now been registered statewide, demonstrating the growing momentum behind the inaugural effort.
Following remarks and presentations aboard the Creole Queen, participants enjoyed brunch before the paddle wheeler departed for a 40-minute cruise, providing an opportunity to highlight the importance of Louisiana’s waterways and the communities, industries, and wildlife that depend on them.
The Love Our Waterways initiative is designed to reduce litter before it reaches the Gulf, protect fish and wildlife habitat, improve water quality and preserve the natural beauty of Louisiana.
“Louisiana has thousands of miles of waterways, and protecting them takes all of us,” said Susan Russell, Executive Director of Keep Louisiana Beautiful. “Love Our Waterways gives people an opportunity to take action where they live, work and play while becoming more aware of how everyday litter can impact our waterways and ultimately the Gulf of Mexico.”
Volunteers can participate throughout September by:
- Organizing or joining a shoreline cleanup;
- Cleaning waterways by kayak, canoe, paddleboard or motorized boat;
- Removing litter from neighborhood storm drains and roadside ditches before it reaches local waterways;
- Volunteering with an existing registered cleanup event; and
- Sharing cleanup efforts on social media to encourage others to participate.
Participants are also encouraged to document the types of litter collected and report larger debris, including abandoned vessels, derelict crab traps and other oversized items requiring specialized removal. The information will help identify areas of concern and assist partner agencies in planning future cleanup and restoration efforts.
LOOKING AHEAD: LAFOURCHE PARISH
The statewide effort will continue to gain momentum with a Love Our Waterways event in Lafourche Parish, bringing together public and private partners for a day focused on education, conservation, and community involvement.
The Lafourche Parish event will be held from 8 a.m. to noon on Wednesday, September 2, at the Nicholls State University Coastal Center and will feature a vendor and exhibitor showcase for students, giving young people an opportunity to learn directly from organizations and agencies working to protect Louisiana's coast and waterways. Those in attendance will hear from local and state leaders on coastal protection, litter enforcement, recycling, cleanup efforts and partnerships.
The program will highlight the collaborative work underway in Lafourche Parish, including litter enforcement and the use of cameras and hotline signage, parish recycling and cleanup efforts, and partnerships among government agencies and nonprofit organizations. Lieutenant Governor Nungesser will discuss how those local efforts contribute to the larger statewide Love Our Waterways movement.
“Protecting our waterways isn't something one organization or one level of government can do alone,” said Lt. Governor Nungesser. “It's going to take all of us, our parishes, businesses, schools, nonprofits, families, and volunteers, working together. That's what Love Our Waterways is all about.”
Individuals and organizations can register a cleanup event, volunteer for an existing event or learn more about Love Our Waterways at LoveLAWaterways.org. Learn more about Keel Louisiana Beautiful at KeepLouisianaBeautiful.org.