EAST TEXAS PINETREES - In East Texas, the government shutdown is stalling progress on habitat restoration at Big Thicket National Preserve. The National Parks Conservation Association says thousands of special “longleaf pine” trees the park service has already purchased need to be planted before late February, but that can’t happen with the park service shut down. Speaking for the group is Cary Dupuy.
“The tree seedlings need to be put into ground for maximum viability in the cold weather months," explained Dupuy. "So once you get into March it is not cold enough to plant those trees where they will be viable and be successful to grow into the mature trees that we need.”
The group had to cancel an annual tree planting event that usually happens on MLK Day because they couldn’t get access to the trees. They’re hoping to reschedule the event, but if the shutdown goes on too long, the trees could go to waste.