Jefferson Parish 24th annual Christmas Tree Marsh Restoration Project

[WestwegoMan]

From Jefferson Parish,

Christmas trees will be collected curbside throughout Jefferson Parish on January 9, 10, and 11, 2014. Trees will be recycled for a beneficial re-use – either marsh restoration or composting.



All Jefferson Parish residents, including the unincorporated areas of Jean Lafitte, Gretna, Harahan, Kenner, and Westwego are advised to place trees curbside on the evening of Wednesday, January 8, 2014. Garbage trucks will make one pass through each neighborhood to collect trees on January 9, 10, and 11, 2014. Trees are typically collected on the second scheduled garbage collection day, but it important that all trees be placed curbside on the evening of Wednesday, January 8, 2014, as the collection schedule may vary on the three (3) specified collection days.

Only clean, unpainted and non-flocked trees are acceptable for re-use. Prior to placing trees curbside, residents must remove all lights, tinsel, garland, ornaments, tree stands, and plastic bags from their Christmas trees. Artificial, flocked or painted trees are not eligible for the program.

This year’s project involves two (2) phases. Some of the trees will be placed in the marsh, refurbishing previously constructed shoreline fences in Goose Bayou near Lafitte to help protect Jefferson’s coastal wetlands; and others will be brought to Wood Materials, LLC to be chipped and used for composting.

Although the Louisiana Office of Coastal Management has discontinued funding Christmas tree marsh restoration projects throughout the state, Jefferson Parish is able to continue this popular project thanks to a generous donation of $25,000 from DynoNobel and the cooperative effort of Wood Materials, LLC.

Volunteers are needed, particularly those with shallow draft boats, to move trees from a Lafitte staging area to the pre-constructed shoreline fences in Goose Bayou. On Saturday, January 11 and Saturday, January 18, 2014, volunteers will meet at 8:00 a.m. at Cochiara’s Marina, 4477 Jean Lafitte Boulevard in Lafitte, to move trees to the pre-constructed shoreline fences in Goose Bayou, near the Town of Jean Lafitte. If volunteer turnout allows completion of the project on January 11th, a notification will be made announcing cancellation of the January 18th event.

Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age, wear layered clothing including long pants, long sleeved shirt, and closed-toe, sturdy shoes. Hats and sunscreen are recommended. Gloves, safety glasses, life vests, lunch and refreshments will be provided.

For more information or to volunteer, contact the Jefferson Parish Department of Environmental Affairs at (504) 731-4612.
More information on the history of this project can be found at the following link.
http://www.segnette.com/jefferson-parish-annual-christmas-tree-marsh-restoration-project/