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Gov Shutdown Impacts Volunteer Efforts For National Parks

Courtesy: Big Thicket National Park Facebook

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.”      

Credit Courtesy: National Parks Conservation Association
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Courtesy: National Parks Conservation Association

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.

Chuck Smith brings more than 30 years' broadcast and media experience to Red River Radio. He began his career as a radio news reporter and transitioned to television journalism and newsmagazine production. Chuck studied mass communications at Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia and motion picture / television production at the University of California at Los Angeles. He has also taught writing for television at York Technical College in Rock Hill, South Carolina and video / film production at Centenary College of Louisiana, Shreveport.