FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 12, 2024
Texas A&M Forest Service aids in
East Texas community reforestation project
COLLEGE STATION, Texas—On Saturday,
Nov. 9, Texas A&M Forest Service planted over 150 trees at Morris Frank Park Wetlands
in Lufkin. During the event, 280 saplings were also distributed to community members.
This tree planting event
was in collaboration with ReForest Lufkin, a community tree planting
initiative co-led by Texas A&M Forest Service Green Futures, a corporate
sustainability partnership initiative. This event marks a significant milestone
for the city of Lufkin as it celebrates its 35th year attaining Tree
City USA recognition and its first Growth Award for urban forestry developments.
The location of the tree
planting was specifically designed to help reforest the wetland area of the
park to aid in stormwater runoff, build resiliency in community tree canopy
through highlighting biodiversity, increase percolation of water into the soil,
improve wildlife habitat and offer a relaxing greenspace for community members
to enjoy.
“We couldn’t have
accomplished this historic event without the leadership and support of the
community,” said Morgan Abbott, Texas A&M Forest Service Partnership
Coordinator. “By organizing, planting and caring for these trees, Lufkin has
made a multigenerational promise to bring the economic, environmental, social
and spiritual benefits of trees to the community.”
Local organizations and individuals have
donated to this initiative and helped plant trees at this event, including Angelina
Beautiful Clean, Caddo Sustainable Timberlands, City of Lufkin, Texas Conservation
Alliance, Texas Forestry Association, Rayonier, RoyOMartin, TC Energy, TTG
Forestry Services, CoBank and community volunteers.
“Green Futures provides an innovative and
collaborative opportunity for funders to give back to their communities by
addressing global issues through local solutions,” said Abbott. “Large
organizations are seeking to accomplish their environmental,
social and governance (ESG) goals, but reach a barrier to enact meaningful,
mutually beneficial long-term solutions. Texas A&M Forest Service Green Futures connects funders to local non-profits and local
governments to seek the most impactful tree planting
sites.”
Upcoming Green Futures Plantings are
scheduled in the Houston area. A tree planting will be held on Saturday, Nov.
16, 2024, from 9 a.m. to noon, at Jane Long Academy Spark Park (6501 Bellaire
Blvd, Houston, Texas 77074). Those interested in volunteering can sign up here:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C44AEAA2BA5FBC07-52665285-tree#/
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Photos: https://agrilife.photoshelter.com/galleries/C00006WcTbDJEOZQ/G0000zQ1liPFLZGc/20241109-Lufkin-Tree-Planting
Texas A&M Forest Service Contacts:
Morgan Abbott, Partnership Coordinator, morgan.abbott@tfs.tamu.edu, 979-969-4274
Communications Office, newsmedia@tfs.tamu.edu, 979-458-6606