The Replant Biloxi Committee, a group whose goal is to help replace thousands of trees lost in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, will have its first public meeting Nov. 14 at 5:30 p.m. at the Donal M. Snyder Community Center.
Biloxi residents will learn more about the program, see sample trees, learn about the care of trees, and sign up for their choice of free trees, which will be distributed at a later date.
“In order for people to be able to get trees, they have to attend the Nov. 14 meeting,” said organizer Arlene Canaan, a former Biloxi councilwoman. “The trees offered will be three-gallon size and between 3 to 5 feet, and grown from acorn and seeds collected in Mississippi.”
City arborist Eric Nolan will be at the Snyder center meeting to answer questions that residents may have about the care of existing or new trees.
The Biloxi program is part of Replant South Mississipppi, an initiative to replace 300,000 native trees lost in the wake of Katrina.
The overall program is being organized by the Land Trust for the Mississippi Coastal Plain and the Sun Herald, with funding assistance from the Mississippi Forestry Commission and the Home Depot Foundation.
Replant Biloxi will be sponsoring public plantings of trees at the Town Green and the Bond House on Nov, 17. A ceremonial planting at the Town Green will begin at 10 am and conclude at the Bond House.
The trees are grown by RPM Ecosystems using a patented process that results in a growth rate three to six times faster and a higher survivability rate than regular trees.
