500+ Volunteers to Remove 12+ Tons of Bayou Trash in Louisiana

More than 500 volunteers are gearing up to give Louisiana's bayous a major spring cleaning this Saturday, and this year's event is bigger than ever.

The 15th annual Bayou Lafourche cleanup is expanding for the first time to include Bayous Terrebonne, Petit Caillou, and Grand Caillou in Terrebonne Parish. The April 18 event welcomes all ages to help remove trash from waterways that provide drinking water to over 300,000 residents.

Last year's cleanup removed more than 12 tons of debris from the bayous. This year, organizers have added four new cleanup sites in Terrebonne Parish to the existing 14 sites along Bayou Lafourche.

The event runs from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. and provides everything volunteers need, including gloves, trash bags, grabbers, and refreshments. Participants can clean on land or take to the water by boat, canoe, or kayak.

"BTNEP's Cleanups have evolved over the years, but one of the things that has remained constant is the drive and commitment of our volunteers," said BTNEP Director Bren Haase. "With their help, we're able to remove tens of thousands of pounds of trash from our waterways every year."

The Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program partnered with Keep Terrebonne Beautiful to make the expansion possible. Together, they're raising awareness about protecting waterways that do far more than provide recreation.

These bayous support the region's fisheries and industry while delivering fresh water and sediment that sustain coastal wetlands. They form the backbone of South Louisiana's environment, economy, and culture.

The Ripple Effect

What started as a single cleanup event 15 years ago has grown into a movement that educates thousands about waterway protection. Volunteer and Marine Debris Coordinator Emily Braud hopes the expansion will inspire residents to keep their bayous clean year-round, not just during organized events.

The celebration doesn't end when the trash bags are full. From 1 to 3 p.m., volunteers can enjoy an afterparty in Downtown Thibodaux featuring live Cajun music by Chubby Carrier and The Bayou Swamp Band.

Children under 18 can participate with adult supervision, and motorized boat launches are available at four locations for those bringing watercraft. Non-motorized vessels can launch at all 18 cleanup sites.

Community partners including Friends of Bayou Lafourche, the Center for Bayou Studies, the Barataria-Terrebonne Estuary Foundation, and the City of Thibodaux are supporting the afterparty celebration.

When hundreds of neighbors unite to protect the waterways that sustain their communities, they're not just removing trash—they're building a cleaner, healthier future for everyone downstream.

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