Louisiana's Coastal Restoration Efforts: 30,000 Trees to Combat Storms and Erosion
In an effort to protect New Orleans from worsening storms and rising sea levels, environmental groups in Louisiana are undertaking a large-scale tree planting initiative. The project aims to plant 30,000 trees, including bald cypress and water tupelo, to restore the natural wetland barriers that were lost after Hurricane Katrina in 2005. This initiative is part of a broader movement to rebuild the region's ecosystem, which has been severely degraded by past engineering decisions such as the construction of the Mississippi River-Gulf Outlet Canal (MRGO). The canal, which was closed in 2009, allowed saltwater to intrude into freshwater ecosystems, damaging the natural defenses against hurricanes. The restoration project is a collaborative effort involving several organizations, including the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana and the Meraux Foundation, and is supported by federal and state funding. 
