CRCL is excited to have you join us as we plant trees in the Central Wetlands!

CRCL is proud to be a partner organization of the Central Wetlands Reforestation Collective (CWRC). This group is collaborating to re-establish a bald cypress and water tupelo bottomland hardwood forest in New Orleans and St. Bernard Parish. The other organizations in the collective are Pontchartrain Conservancy, Common Ground Relief, CSED of the Lower 9th Ward and the Arlene & Joseph Meraux Foundation.

The Central Wetlands Unit was heavily impacted by historic logging and saltwater intrusion from the Mississippi River-Gulf Outlet (MR-GO). What once was a thick and healthy swamp is now mostly marsh and open water. Following the closure of the MR-GO, the salinity in this area has dropped to where it can once again support cypress trees. Restoring the swamp forest will result in higher quality wildlife habitat, storm surge/wind attenuation and healthier ecosystems.

With your help, CRCL and other CWRC organizations will plant more than 30,000 trees in the Central Wetlands Unit over four years.

Not sure what to expect? Watch this short video

Volunteers must complete registration to attend.

A short boat ride will be taken during this event.

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• Minimum age: 16. Everyone must sign our release and waiver of rights upon registration. Volunteers 17 years old and younger must have a parent or guardian complete the registration on their behalf and be accompanied by an adult.

• This event will include a boat ride of about 20 minutes. Volunteers are required to wear life jackets (provided by CRCL) and follow the directions of the boat captains.

• If you have a severe allergy or dietary restriction, we will do our best to accommodate you. Please email sofia.giordano@crcl.org. We are unable to accommodate gluten-free volunteers. If you are gluten-free, please bring a lunch. If you have a severe allergy that requires an EpiPen, please be sure to bring it with you.

• CRCL staff members are Wilderness First Aid-trained. If you get injured during any activity, please report it to a CRCL staff member immediately.

• If you require verification of your service, please email volunteers@crcl.org following the event.

What you should bring:

• Reusable water bottle

• Boots

• Clothes you feel comfortable getting wet and dirty

What we provide:

• Water

• Snacks

• Lunch

• Bug Spray

• Sunscreen

• Gloves

• Boots, first-come, first-served

• All necessary project equipment