City Partners with State, Federal Agencies on Annual Christmas Tree Drop to Restore Coastline
NEW ORLEANS — The City of New Orleans Office of Resilience and Sustainability, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFW) and the Louisiana Army National Guard, today conducted the City’s Annual Christmas Tree Drop.
Approximately 4,000 bundled trees were collected by Department of Sanitation contractors Waste Pro, IV Waste, Richard’s Disposal and Ramelli Waste and then sorted and airlifted by the Louisiana National Guard into the Bayou Sauvage Urban National Wildlife Refuge to create new marsh habitat.
After the trees were dropped by helicopter, USFW staff arrived by boat and placed the trees into their final position. For over 25 years, recycled Christmas trees have restored an area of marsh equal to approximately 200 football fields. The trees also create an important habitat for birds, fish, crabs, crawfish and shrimp.
In January, residents placed their trees curbside for collection to participate in the Christmas Tree Recycling Program. The Annual Christmas tree drop is funded through the Office of Resilience and Sustainability, in collaboration with the Department of Sanitation, and plays a vital role in the City’s coastal program. It is also provides the Louisiana Army National Guard a valuable training exercise.
“For over 25 years, the City’s Christmas Tree Recycling Program has contributed to the restoration of the Bayou Sauvage Urban National Wildlife Refuge. The program would not be successful without the participation of residents who chose to recycle their Christmas trees. The trees are put to good use protecting our wetlands while also keeping them out of landfills. We look forward to many more years of community involvement in coastal restoration efforts,” said Greg Nichols, Deputy Chief Resilience Officer, Office of Resilience and Sustainability.
“The annual Christmas Tree Drop represents a long-standing partnership between the Louisiana National Guard and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. It benefits the City of New Orleans and surrounding coastal environment while also providing valuable training hours for our pilots and crewmembers of the 1st Assault Helicopter Battalion, 244th Aviation Regiment,” said Gabriel Ruiz, Chief Warrant Officer 3, Louisiana National Guard.
“I’d like to thank the residents of New Orleans for sharing their Christmas Trees with us and making their contribution to coastal restoration. Their tradition of donating Christmas trees is helping to rebuild our coastline and build habitat for wildlife,” said Shelley Stiaes, Refuge Manager, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
"It is always great to see the recycled trees go out into the wetlands at Bayou Sauvage Urban National Wildlife Refuge. The trees will help protect the natural marsh and shoreline by reducing wave action and slowing erosion and will also create new habitat for the birds, fish and other wildlife that live in the refuge. While we are making great progress, protecting our natural resources and defenses remains more important than ever for places like New Orleans. The Christmas tree recycling program is a great way for residents to get involved in the fight to restore our coast,” said Samantha Carter, Outreach Manager, Gulf Program, National Wildlife Federation.
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