Eleven coastal parishes participated in the 1992-1993 program, with approximately 180,000 trees utilized. Jefferson Parish alone collected more than 130,000 trees and was assisted by the Louisiana National Guard in placing the trees into their fences, which were located in remote marsh areas. Nine coastal parishes are participating in the 1993-94 Christmas Tree Fence Program. Most parishes are restocking or rebuilding existing fences. Participanting parishes are Calcasieu, Cameron, Iberia, Jefferson, Lafourche, St. Charles, St. Martin, Terrebonne, and Vermilion.
Some parishes utilize volunteers to assist in placing trees.
As with any volunteer effort, strict safety precautions should be followed. Volunteers are not utilized in the fence construction process, however, because of the inherent dangers associated with construction in a marsh environment. Before any work can begin, all appropriate permits must be obtaines, such as DNR's Coastal Use Permit, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Section 404 and Section 10 Permit, and landowner permission. Copyright 1990-2001 Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality. All Rights Reserved.