(04/22/25) BATON ROUGE, La. — Keep Louisiana Beautiful, the state’s premier anti-litter and community improvement organization, has chosen the LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens at Burden to receive a 2024-2025 Beautification Grant to support community improvement efforts.

This $10,000 grant will be used for priority planting projects, which include improving and beautifying entry points to cities, highway corridors and medians, downtown roadways and intersections, and other visible and well-used public spaces.

“This grant award represents an active partnership with KLB that will help us uphold our responsibility to do the right thing for the environment and community regarding the natural and designed landscape of the LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens entrance,” said Jeff Kuehny, director of the Botanic Gardens. “This project, which is in a highly visible location, will include the plantings of deciduous and evergreen trees predominantly native to this region.”

Susan Russell, executive director of Keep Louisiana Beautiful, said the Beautification Grant is designed to provide funding for local projects and programs bringing about behavioral changes needed to improve the appearance of communities in Louisiana.

“People are less likely to litter in areas that display community pride and that are well maintained and beautiful, so reducing litter in highly visible areas is an additional key driver of this grant,” Russell said. “KLB seeks projects that have diverse community support, volunteer involvement, collaboration with stakeholders and benefit the community at large.”

Made possible with funding from the State of Louisiana and the Office of the Lieutenant Governor, Beautification Grants totaling more than $7.7 million have been awarded since 2004 to eligible organizations — including Louisiana parishes, municipalities, state agencies, governmental entities, and community and university affiliates.

Keep Louisiana Beautiful’s mission is to promote personal, corporate and community responsibility for a clean and beautiful Louisiana. Through its programs and statewide network of affiliates and partners, the organization provides the tools and resources to prevent litter, reduce waste, increase recycling and beautify spaces. It is a non-profit organization dedicated to achieving a cleaner, greener Louisiana through litter reduction and beautification initiatives.

For those who want to get involved, visit keeplouisianabeautiful.org.

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The LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens has received a Keep Louisiana Beautiful Beautification Grant to enhance the highly visible corner of Essen Lane and Interstate 10. The project will feature the planting of native deciduous and evergreen trees to beautify the space, promote community pride and reduce litter. Pictured is the area prior to improvements. Photo by Malorey Uzee/LSU AgCenter

The LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens has received a Keep Louisiana Beautiful Beautification Grant to enhance the highly visible corner of Essen Lane and Interstate 10. The project will feature the planting of native deciduous and evergreen trees to beautify the space, promote community pride and reduce litter. Pictured is the area prior to improvements. Photo by Malorey Uzee/LSU AgCenter