Approximately 550 Texas A&M University students, who are part of Aggie Replant, will converge at the state park for a third year, with the goal of planting 15,000 Bastrop Loblolly Pines.
“It is very exciting for us to partner in this recovery effort in Bastrop. It's an amazing feeling to know that our actions are making an impact that will continue to have lasting effects in the forest for generations to come,” Aggie Replant Director Olivia Olvera said. “We are leaving a positive legacy there, and that is what Aggie Replant is all about.”
Aggie Replant, a student-led organization, strives to improve communities, bring students together through tradition and provide an avenue for environmental service in action.
“Texas A&M students are excited to plant thousands of loblolly pine tree saplings,” Olvera said. “They know that they can look back on this experience in 20 to 50 years with their children and grandchildren and say that they were a part of this incredible regrowth campaign.”
The students will partner with Texas A&M Forest Service, Texas Parks and Wildlife and the Arbor Day Foundation as part of a larger effort, the Bastrop Lost Pines Recovery Campaign—a group of local, state and federal agencies led by Bastrop County.
The five-year campaign is on track to plant 4 million trees by 2017. Since the campaign’s inception in 2013, Aggie Replant has helped plant over 21,000 seedlings at the state park.
“I am incredibly gratified to have witnessed the level of pride, resourcefulness and hard work that this community and its program partners have put forth to make this forest recovery a reality,” Jim Rooni, TFS chief regional forester said. “Our agency is honored to be associated with such an extraordinary community effort.”
Although Texas continues to experience drought conditions, recent rains and cooler weather across the state show promise for the seedlings’ survival. With the current survival rate of planted seedlings holding at 50 percent, volunteers will focus their efforts on planting in the same location as those seedlings that did not survive from last year.
The Aggie Replant event takes place this weekend Feb. 28 – March 1, 2014. Student buses are expected to arrive at the park around 10 a.m. each planting day.
###
Note: Media are invited to attend the event. Photo and interview opportunities are available throughout the day. Those wishing to access the planting areas are advised that field-working conditions apply to all visitors, including media. Long pants and sturdy hard-toe shoes are required. Hard hats are provided on site.
Contacts:
Jim Rooni, Chief Regional Forester
512-339-6548, jrooni@tfs.tamu.edu
Jessica Jackson, Communications Specialist
979-458-6619, jjackson@tfs.tamu.edu