NEW ORLEANSĀ – District “C” Councilmember Kristin Gisleson Palmer is partnering with Sustaining Our Urban Landscape (SOUL) and the Department of Parks and Parkways to plant 300 trees in Old Algiers. The planting is the largest to-date for SOUL and is funded by $50,000 dollars in grants and donations from the Preserving Historic Algiers Community Corporation and Entergy Cooperation. On Friday, Dec. 6, Councilmember Palmer will join SOUL volunteers toĀ kick-offĀ the first of three tree plantings in Old Algiers at 10 a.m. at 1039 Teche St.“Planting 300 trees in Old Algiers is a vital step towards ensuring health equity across the City. Increasing the inventory of trees will also enhance the community’s aesthetics, provide shade, and improve both mental and physical health. IĀ amĀ excited to partner with SOUL to provide trees in a part of our City that needs it the most, and here to remind residents that everyone can be involved inĀ the planting process,” said Councilmember Palmer.
Employees from the Sewerage and Water Board (S&WB) and Hilton New Orleans, as well as Warren Easton Charter High School students, will volunteer during the first planting. SOUL is still in need of volunteers for two additional planting days on Saturday, Dec. 7, and Saturday, Dec. 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. To learn more about volunteer opportunities, please visitĀ www.soulnola.orgĀ or call (504) 264-2443.
Since 2016, SOUL has planted more than 3,300 trees in Treme, Mid-City, Algiers, Freret, and Broadmoor neighborhoods. SOUL plants large, native trees like Bald Cypress and Live Oak, which can absorb up to 880 gallons of water a day per tree. In addition to preventing flooding, healthy, mature trees can increase property values by up to 20 percent and reduce household energy usage by 35 percent. SOUL also maps and tracks every tree they plant to ensure their survival and measure their impact over the years.
