Though gulf coast wetlands face serious threats from coastal land loss and development, widespread clear cutting of cypress forests is also a very imminent danger.
In the past cypress mulch used to be a by-product of lumber mills. This is no longer true. The mulch purchased today comes from wide spread clear cutting of entire eco systems.
Loggers are operating with little to no oversight. No state laws exist to protect Louisiana’s state tree; some that are more than 1,000 years old.
A mixed message: State and Federal Officials are asking our nation for billions of dollars to restore Louisiana’s coast. However, it’s not clear whether our cypress forests, which help to combat coastal erosion, are adequately protected from logging under current state and federal laws.
So people, don’t buy the cypress mulch. Buy pine bark nuggets instead or use pine straw. Really. Do this please.
Find out more @ saveourcypress.org
