I’ve already seen some trees on the curb in front of the homes of those overachievers who are johnny on the spot with removing all traces of the holidays from their homes…even before the traditional end of Christmas on Twelfth Night. Not only are they not reveling in the season, they are missing out on the chance to help save our rapidly diminishing wetlands and coastline by recycling their tree.
Each year, the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources builds pens that are filled with discarded Christmas trees in an effort to slow the rate at which our land is being washed and eroded away. You can do your part by recycling your tree to be used in this valuable project.
Orleans Parish, Unincorporated Jefferson Parish and the Town of Lafitte
Place your tree curbside on January 5th, with pickups scheduled on January 6th, 7th and 8th, 2010. Remember that flocked or painted trees cannot be used in this project. Also, you must remove all decorations, tinsel, lights and stands.
Volunteer to Help with the Jefferson Parish Christmas Tree Marsh Restoration Project 2010
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 (504) 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
Let’s let the giving spirit of the Christmas season continue and help us help ourselves.
This is great! I'm a bit far away to help, but love the idea, good for you for posting.
What a wonderful project! It also shows the "green" aspect of having a real tree as opposed to an artificial one.
Great project! We definitely need to save the wetlands.
Lisa, That is great information for your community. And recycling makes you feel good about throwing out that tree!
Lisa, That's wonderful, I would have never known that. Hopefully the people in your area that already discarded their trees will see this and remember for next year. And I agree, they took them down so soon :)
Happy New Year!!
This project has been going on for 20 years now, so it's very disappointing to see trees by the curb before the pick up days!
We used to do that every year until we got the new one. It goes in the attic and does not shed. Miss the smell however. Hated shopping for trees however. Happy New Year!
Great idea and a great way for the tree that gave you pleasure to continue to make you happy!
Happy New Year, Eric!
Susan, it makes a LOT of people happy - our wetlands are shrinking at a disturbing rate. It's the least we can do.
Mine goes to the attic also. Lisa i sure hope they get the river diverted in a meaningful way before long or this Christmas tree program will be just a waste of time. i have fished the marshes since i was a kid and can really see the erosion. Your side of the river needs more help that we do at the moment. Happy New Year.