North Baton Rouge Takes Center Stage in New Blight Cleanup Initiative
The first cleanup event under Keep Jaguar Nation Beautiful is set for January 18, signaling a united push toward a more vibrant and litter-free Baton Rouge.
BATON ROUGE, La. – Baton Rouge’s ongoing battle against blight is expanding with a fresh focus on North Baton Rouge. A new initiative, Keep Jaguar Nation Beautiful, aims to build on existing efforts to combat litter and restore pride in the area.
Pat McCallister-LeDuff, president of the Scotlandville Community Development Corporation, has spent decades addressing the issue and sees this program as a pivotal step forward.
“At one point, it was really a dump,” said LeDuff. “It’s not where it needs to be, but it’s not where it used to be.”
The initiative draws inspiration from the success of Keep Tiger Town Beautiful, a volunteer-led organization in South Baton Rouge that organizes weekly cleanups. Jennifer Richardson, the group’s founder, is collaborating with North Baton Rouge leaders to expand these efforts citywide.
“Jennifer and her team have done an amazing job in the south, and now those efforts are coming north to enhance what’s already in place,” said LeDuff. “This isn’t about reinventing the wheel. It’s about providing the resources we need—picking up trash and ensuring the city follows through to collect it before it scatters again.”
The collaboration marks a shared dream for both Richardson and LeDuff.
“This is like a dream come true for both of us because now we can serve all of Baton Rouge,” said Richardson. “Nobody will be left out.”
While the initiative promises a significant impact, both leaders stress that a cleaner city requires collective responsibility.
“This isn’t a once-or-twice-a-year thing,” Richardson explained. “We need to stay consistent—every day, everywhere.”
LeDuff echoed the sentiment, emphasizing education and inclusivity as key to long-term success.
“We need to teach our children, starting in elementary school, not to litter. Everyone must take part in this effort,” she said. “A clean city is a shared goal, and keeping it clean has to become second nature.”
The first cleanup event under Keep Jaguar Nation Beautiful is set for January 18, signaling a united push toward a more vibrant and litter-free Baton Rouge.
