Insights > Entergy Continues to Support Tree-Planting Efforts in New Orleans

Entergy Continues to Support Tree-Planting Efforts in New Orleans

By:

02/16/2016

On Saturday, you can help re-establish urban trees with NOLA Tree Project's Big Treesy Giveaway.

New Orleanians have often been described as resilient. And in the 10 years since Hurricane Katrina devastated the area, they have replaced more than half of the 100,000 trees that were destroyed by the major storm.

Feb. 20, Entergy will sponsor the fourth of five Big Treesy Giveaways in which an additional 4,000 trees will be distributed by NOLA Tree Project to further restore the city's urban canopy during this 2015-16 planting season. The event will take place in Algiers.

Trees will be available 9 a.m.-12 noon at Behrman Football Stadium, 2529 General Meyer Ave. in Algiers.

"The partnership between Entergy and NOLA Tree Project has been invaluable to the restoration and sustainability of the urban tree canopy in New Orleans," said Robin Young, program director for NOLA Tree Project. "Trees being planted as a result of our giveaways are producing many benefits for residents and the environment, such as providing shade to lower energy costs up to 50 percent, absorbing storm water and reducing carbon dioxide."

Entergy's grants to NOLA Tree Project have funded the distribution of 4,000 free trees to New Orleans residents during Big Treesy Giveaway events. The next giveaway on Feb. 20 will be held from 8 a.m. to 12 noon at Behrman Football Stadium in Algiers, where 300 free trees will be distributed, or one free tree per household.

Additional native, hurricane-resistant trees can be purchased for $15 each, with 30 types available, including cypress, magnolia, crape myrtle, Japanese maple, brown turkey fig and southern pecan. NOLA Tree Project also will provide educational workshops on the importance, care and maintenance of trees.

Information on how to plant trees to avoid utility lines and poles is also available through the Arbor Day Foundation.

Over the last decade, NOLA Tree Project (formerly Hike for KaTREEna) has planted more than 35,000 trees with the help of 65,000 volunteers. Along with Parkway Partners, another Entergy partner, the two organizations have planted more than 50,000 trees, boosting New Orleans to the halfway mark in its 100,000-tree goal.

Entergy's support of NOLA Tree Project supports the company's mission to create value for communities through environmental advocacy, volunteerism and philanthropy.

"Entergy's continued support of tree-planting initiatives is part of our commitment to help create a cleaner, greener and more resilient future for New Orleans," said Patty Riddlebarger, director of corporate social responsibility. "The trees of New Orleans are an important part of our city's natural beauty and character. Thanks to NOLA Tree Project and other local partners, we're reversing the tree deficit while beautifying neighborhoods, parks and public greenspaces."