The Delta Chapter of the Sierra Club maintains efforts throughout Louisiana on many environmental fronts to preserve and protect our environment and natural resources, for our families, for our future.

http://www.lapurchasecypresslegacy.net

The Louisiana Purchase Legacy Campaign announces the discovery and location of several outstanding examples of one of Louisiana's most precious assets-cypress trees that were alive at the time of the Louisiana Purchase.

The year 2003, in addition being the bicentennial of the Louisiana Purchase, also marked the 40th anniversary of the designation of the bald cypress as the state tree of Louisiana. The Louisiana Purchase Cypress Legacy commemorates one of the most visible and enduring symbols of Louisiana's natural heritage - the bald cypress. Specifically, the Cypress Legacy campaign intends to landmark those trees that have been certified, through circumference measurement and selective coring, to be at least two hundred years old-alive at the time of the Louisiana Purchase. We hope to have these land marked trees included on an official State registry of "Louisiana Purchase Trees".

"The Louisiana Purchase Cypress Legacy campaign is a bona fide treasure hunt for one of Louisiana's most precious valuables-the remaining old growth cypress that are still to be found in all corners of our state-- from front yards to backwater sloughs. Our old cypress deserve recognition and protection, particularly those hardy survivors that were alive at the time of the Louisiana Purchase" said Harvey Stern, coordinator of the campaign.

August, 2003 was declared Louisiana Purchase Cypress Legacy Month by both the Louisiana legislature and the Louisiana State Senate. The organizations listed below are sponsoring or endorsing this campaign in recognition that the Bicentennial of the Louisiana Purchase presents an ideal opportunity to promote awareness, conservation and stewardship of cypress that were alive at the time of the Louisiana Purchase.

• Better Swamps and Gardens Org, Lafitte
• Gulf Restoration Network
• Jean Lafitte National Park
• Jefferson Parish Beautification Inc
• Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation
• Louisiana Audubon Council
• Louisiana Urban Forestry Council (sponsor)
• Louisiana Audubon Council (sponsor)
• Louisiana Nature Conservancy
• Louisiana Wildlife Federation
• New Orleans Citizens for Urban Trees
• Sierra Club, Delta (LA.) Chapter (sponsor)

1. 1664 Robert Street at Baronne, Uptown New Orleans , Orleans Parish **FOUNDER'S TREE** (plaque)
2. Sargent Lake Vicinity, Catahoula Parish **FOUNDER'S TREE** (plaque)
3. Cat Island National Wildlife Refuge, **FOUNDER'S TREE** (plaque)
4. Tickfaw State Park vicinity , Livingston Parish
5. Jean Lafitte National Park, Jefferson Parish
6. Saline Bayou, Big Cypress Preserve, Bienville Parish
7. Black Bayou Area, Joyce Wildlife Management Area, Tangipahoa Parish
8. (a) Ernest Slough (b) Goat/Porter's Island, West Pearl River area, St. Tammany Parish
9. Bear Bayou area, Atchafalaya Basin, St. Martin Parish
10. Bayou Boeuf, Kisatchie National Forest, Rapides Parish
11. Bayou Loutre-Phillips Lake, Union Parish

• This is a PDF file
(92K) of the Louisiana Purchase Cypress Legacy's comments to the Coastal Forest Science Working Group regarding wetland forest conservation and use.
• This is a PDF file (75K) of the Mississippi River Basin Alliance's comments to the Coastal Forest Science Working Group regarding wetland forest conservation and use.
• This is a PDF file (98K) of a press release calling for expanded protection of the State's Cypress Forests by major Louisiana Conservation Groups.

FOR OUR FAMILIES, FOR OUR FUTURE!

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