BATON ROUGE, La. — Keep Louisiana Beautiful is accepting nominations through Sept. 30 for its 2026 Everyday Hero Awards, which recognize individuals, organizations, businesses and public agencies involved in litter prevention, beautification and environmental stewardship across Louisiana.
Award recipients will be recognized Dec. 9 during a luncheon at the Crowne Plaza in Baton Rouge. The event will be held in conjunction with the annual Keep Louisiana Beautiful State Conference.
“Our state is blessed with incredible natural beauty, but it takes dedicated citizens to keep it that way,” said Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser. “The Everyday Hero Awards provide an opportunity to shine a spotlight the outstanding people and organizations who work tirelessly to keep our Sportsman’s Paradise beautiful. If you know someone making a real difference in your community, please do not let this deadline pass without nominating them.”
Eligible nominees include nonprofits, Keep Louisiana Beautiful affiliates, businesses, professional groups, government agencies, civic and community organizations, schools, churches, public servants and individual residents.
The awards include 10 categories covering community improvement, volunteer service, public service, student leadership, university programs, business practices and litter enforcement.
The Alice Foster Award, named for former Louisiana first lady Alice Foster, recognizes an individual whose advocacy, leadership and long-term work support Keep Louisiana Beautiful’s mission.
Other categories include the Community Improvement Award, Let Louisiana Shine Volunteer Award, Leaders Against Litter Award, Rocksey’s Young Leadership Award for students in kindergarten through 12th grade, Collegiate Environmental Steward Award, Outstanding Community Affiliate Award and Outstanding University Affiliate Award.
The Clean Biz Leadership Award recognizes a for-profit or nonprofit organization that has adopted practices supporting litter prevention, recycling, waste reduction or other community improvement efforts. Participation in Keep Louisiana Beautiful’s Clean Biz Partnership is encouraged but is not required.
The Litter Enforcement Award is open to law enforcement and other eligible public officials who work to prevent littering and illegal dumping. Eligible nominees include police officers, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries agents, justices of the peace, constables, judges, park rangers and code enforcement officers.
Anyone may submit nominations, and individuals may nominate more than one person or organization. A separate nomination form is required for each nominee.
Keep Louisiana Beautiful operates under the Louisiana Office of the Lieutenant Governor and the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism. The program supports litter education, prevention and removal, beautification, recycling, waste reduction and sustainability initiatives across the state.