|
||
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
December 25, 2002
Used Christmas trees can give all year By Blake M. Petit Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree, how lovely are your branches and how useful too, declares coastal officials heading the Christmas Tree Fence program at the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR). DNR officials report that $315,000 will be used this holiday season to promote the recycling of Christmas trees and its program that allows citizens to take part in efforts to protect the state’s coastal wetlands. This year, there will be 16 parishes involved in the Christmas tree project that is considered a small part of the state’s fight to combat coastal erosion. DNR Project Manager Kenneth Bahlinger pointed out that since the trees are large yet lightweight, they are easy to move. “When placed inside the brush fences that have been constructed in the marsh areas, they allow movement of water and sediment without being a barrier,” Bahlinger said. “The loss of 25 to 35 square miles of coastline each year is a matter of serious concern to our population. Individuals, school groups and environmental groups that volunteer with this project are eager and willing to be a part of saving the wetlands. It’s the hands-on help that is so rewarding for them,” Bahlinger said. In Jefferson parish, where the trees are used in the Barataria Basin, volunteers are now being sought to help bundle trees that will later be air-lifted by the Louisiana Army National Guard into the marsh. The parish’s Department of Environmental Affairs invites interested citizens to call (504) 736-6440 to participate. Scheduled work dates will be in January and February, according to a news release from the parish. Participating parishes will have information on Christmas tree collection dates, where to place trees after the holidays, and other recycling information. Local newspapers are expected to publish scheduled pick-up dates. Trees will also be accepted for the St. Charles Parish Christmas Tree Recycling Program at the East and West Bank Bridge Parks from now until January 15, with curbside pickup scheduled for Jan. 8 and 9. Only non-flocked trees can be used. All decorations and tree stands should be removed and the trees should not be wrapped in plastic. For more information on tree recycling in St. Charles Parish, call (985) 783-5060. Blake M. Petit can be reached at BlakeP@heraldguide.com or at 758-2795, ext. 215.
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
