Keep Louisiana Beautiful (KLB) announces the launch of Love the Boot at Home and Love the Boot Week, April 20-26, a statewide media and social media campaign focused on eco-friendly activities that individuals and families can do while practicing social distancing. KLB, Visit Lake Charles, Phillips 66, Pick It Up Calcasieu and Team Green encourage Southwest Louisiana citizens to show their love for the community by cleaning and beautifying their personal spaces at home and posting videos or photographs using #LovetheBoot.

Keep Louisiana Beautiful created 21 activities to help everyone feel connected to one another, the community and environment. It takes 21 days to make or break a habit, so KLB is encouraging eco-friendly habits in our home and neighborhoods to continue to care for the environment in ways that reduce litter and waste while beautifying outdoor spaces. In addition, Calcasieu residents can participate in “Pick It Up” Calcasieu initiatives and get involved through Team Green with the City of Lake Charles in order to make a difference in keeping Southwest Louisiana litter free.

"There are simple things that people can do to help the environment in addition to creating teachable moments for kids to show them how to be good stewards for Louisiana's future. While taking a walk in your neighborhood, you can wear gloves and pick up litter, or you can plant a tree or vegetable garden. For parents looking for lessons and activities to do with their children, KLB offers eleven environmental education lessons, hands-on activities and worksheets to teach children about important environmental issues that face Louisiana such as litter, pollution, recycling, and protecting our waterways," said Angie Manning, communications director at Visit Lake Charles and KLB board member.

Local sponsor of the statewide initiative, Phillips 66, champions clean initiatives for Westlake, Southwest Louisiana and its employees.

“Keep Louisiana Beautiful’s mission falls right in line with our Phillips 66 commitment to environmental stewardship,” said Megan Hartman, Phillips 66 Lake Charles Manufacturing Complex public relations director. “We were happy to partner with them on this statewide campaign to encourage pride in Louisiana. We have employees who’ve adopted specific streets in the city of Westlake to pick up litter on an ongoing basis. Though several community, civic and Partner in Education events are being postponed amid the health pandemic, we plan to continue this partnership next year and reschedule our #LovetheBoot activities at a later date.”

In addition to Keep Louisiana Beautiful, the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury has a full-time effort to fight litter through its ongoing “Pick It Up!” initiative.

“Our utmost goal is the cleanliness of the parish, and that starts with you,” said Wyvette Pryor-Cousin, Calcasieu Parish litter manager. “Please help us in this cause. We want to continue to remind everyone in Calcasieu Parish to throw their trash where it belongs. Let's keep our parish clean and our residents healthy.” She added, “The basic rules for proper trash disposal are taking on greater importance, given the COVID-19 virus. These materials are being used to protect us from possible contamination from COVID-19. If they are not disposed of properly, we are risking the spread of this life-threatening virus.”

People can learn more at the Pick It Up Calcasieu pages on Facebook and Instagram. They also can visit pickitupcalcasieu.com to sign up for future Adopt A Spot cleanup efforts that will resume when the COVID-19 crisis ends.

Love the Boot is Louisiana’s unique way for residents, students, businesses, organizations, local governments and state agencies to band together to care for and show love for their personal space, community, and state. To view the full list of activities, educational ideas for kids or more information on litter prevention, visit www.keeplouisianabeautiful.org, or check out ideas for a social media challenge on www.lovetheboot.org.

Major sponsors of the 2020 Keep Louisiana Beautiful Love the Boot include the Alta and John Franks Foundation, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana, Dempsey Oil Co., Energy Transfer, Entergy, Keep America Beautiful, Lowes, Office of Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser, Phillips 66, Texas Petroleum Investment Company, and Vine Oil and Gas.