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Jefferson Parish Christmas Tree
Marsh Restoration Project 2010
Don't flock that tree!!!
From Jefferson Parish,
Jefferson Parish is preparing for its 20th Annual
Christmas Tree Marsh Restoration Project. All residents of
unincorporated Jefferson Parish and Lafitte are asked to place their
tree curbside on the evening of January 6th for collection on
January 7, 8, and 9, 2010.
Garbage trucks will make one pass through each
neighborhood, typically on the second scheduled collection day.
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Trees should be stripped of all tinsel, garland,
lights, ornamentation,
plastic bags and tree stands.
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Flocked or painted trees cannot be used in this
project.
 Volunteers
with shallow draft boats are needed to place Christmas trees into
pre-constructed shoreline fences in Goose Bayou, near the town of
Jean Lafitte on the following Saturdays:
January 9, 2010*
January 16, 2010*
January 23, 2010*
January 30, 2010*
*If inclement weather
(rain or high winds), please call 731-4612 to check if a scheduled
event has been cancelled. Volunteers will meet at 8:00 a.m. at
Cochiara’s Marina, 4477 Jean Lafitte Blvd., Lafitte.
Volunteers must be 17 years of age or older. Recommended: layered
clothing including
long pants, long sleeved shirt and closed toe, sturdy shoes, hats
and sunscreen.
Lunch and refreshments will be provided.
Please contact the following for more information or to volunteer:
Jefferson Parish Department of Environmental Affairs
4901 Jefferson Highway, Suite E
Jefferson, LA 70121
Phone: (504) 731-4612 Fax: (504) 731-4607 email:
jpenvironmental@jeffparish.net
Volunteer Form
A
little history
Louisiana is losing 25 -
35 square miles of coastal wetlands each year. The Barataria Basin
is the fastest-eroding area of Louisiana's coast. Jefferson Parish
once had 50 miles of near-solid healthy wetlands between it and the
Gulf of Mexico. The wetlands protect developed areas against
hurricane surges, provide natural treatment for storm water, and
provide a rich nursery ground for fisheries. Now, a large percentage
of these wetlands have been converted to open water, significantly
reducing storm protection.
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Since 1991, over
750,000 Christmas trees have been recycled by using them to
rebuild wetlands rather than taking up valuable landfill space.
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Tree fences slow wave
action, trap sediments, and combat erosion.
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Wetlands will be
created and protected behind shoreline cribs and by filling in
dead-end, abandoned, oil-access canals.
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Project increases
public awareness of wetland losses, solid waste issues, and
conservation of natural resources.
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Project received
national attention in 1997 when we received seventy Christmas
trees from the White House.
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Project is funded by
Jefferson Parish and the Louisiana Department of Natural
Resources Coastal Restoration Division.
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Project is largely
dependent on community volunteers and assistance from other
government agencies such as the Louisiana Army Air Guard and LA
Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries.
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Project relies
heavily on cash and in-kind contributions from corporations,
such as past support from Chevron, Texaco, Shell, Exxon,
Entergy, and Home Depot.
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1994 - National
Association of Counties Environmental Achievement Award.
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1995 - Bureau of
Governmental Research Excellence in Government Keller Award.
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1996 - Renew America
National Award for Environmental Sustainability.
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1999 - U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency Region 6 Regional
Administrator's Environmental Excellence Award for Environmental
Education.
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2000 - SWANA/NCTA
Christmas Tree Recycling Excellence Award.
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2001 - Coalition to
Restore Coastal Louisiana s Coastal Stewardship Award.
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2001 - Walter B.
Jones Memorial Award: Excellence in Local Government for Coastal
and Ocean Resource Management.
VOLUNTEER FOR THIS "HANDS
ON" ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECT
RECYCLE YOUR CHRISTMAS TREE
Projects like this would not be possible without you.
For more information please contact:
Jefferson Parish Department of Environmental Affairs
4901 Jefferson Hwy., Suite E
Jefferson, LA 70121
(504) 731-4612
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