Shared from the 10/22/2017 American Press eEdition

Bring back the trees

Project to restore 70 acres of forest at Sam Houston Park

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Special to the American Press

A group of longleaf pine trees.

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Sasol will partner with Sam Houston Jones State Park to restore over 70 acres of longleaf pine forest over the next three years as part of the company’s environmental outreach program, state officials announced this week.

The longleaf pine, the longest-living Southern pine species, were once the most abundant trees in the U.S. before urban encroachment diminished their numbers across the country, leaving only 10 percent in Louisiana.

Sam Houston Jones State Park is home to many of these endangered trees, but ecosystems there have significantly diminished, according to state parks spokeswoman Sharon Broussard.

Over the last few years, Broussard said, the state parks department has partnered with the Coastal Plains Conservancy on controlled burns and reforestation efforts at Sam Houston and recently reached out to Sasol to move the project forward.

Through contributions to its fund at the Southwest Louisiana Community Foundation, Sasol will help fund underbrush removal, prescribed fires, and seeding at the park, allowing depleted plant and animal life to return to the area while reducing the risk of wildfires.

“These efforts by Sasol offset the costs of maintenance and of the trees’ purchase,” Broussard said. “The preservation and restoration of this habitat provides a better experience for those guests who enjoy natural scenery.”

Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser called the Longleaf Legacy Project “a great example of Louisiana’s strong publicprivate partnerships.”

“This project demonstrates Sasol’s commitment to environmental restoration and education, as well as the company’s efforts in making sure that the needs of their communities are addressed,” Nungesser said.

Sasol spokeswoman Kim Cusimano said the project fits in with Sasol’s commitment to “develop and promote people-centered, communityidentified projects.”

“The project is aligned with our social investment environmental focus to restore, preserve and enhance local ecosystems,” Cusimano said. “Further, Sam Houston Jones Park is just outside of Sasol’s facility near Westlake and is frequented by our employees and local community members.”

She said the first two phases — underbrush removal and burning — are underway across 50 acres of the park. Later, work will begin in a 20-acre section. Handouts with a project timeline and map are available at the park’s entrance.

Cusimano encouraged residents to visit the park, ask a park ranger for directions, and then ride or walk through the area under restoration.

Sasol is also continuing efforts on another conservation project that began last year: its 1,000 Trees in 1,000 Days, made possible through a partnership with McNeese State University and 11 community groups.

Cusimano said volunteers have planted 500 trees during two planting days.

“While the Longleaf Legacy Project is separate from our 1,000 Trees effort, they both contribute to Sasol’s overall goals to restore, preserve and enhance local ecosystems,” she said.

The next planting is set for 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 18., at W.W. Lewis Middle School, 1752 Cypress Drive, in Sulphur.

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Online: www.longleaflegacy.com.

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