March 27, 2025 | From City of New Orleans
City of New Orleans Conducts Annual Christmas Tree Drop to Support Wetland Restoration
The City of New Orleans' Office of Resilience and Sustainability (ORS), in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the Louisiana Army National Guard, conducted its annual Christmas Tree Drop on Tuesday at Bayou Sauvage Urban National Wildlife Refuge — an effort that transforms discarded holiday trees into vital marshland protection.
This year, nearly 9,000 trees—an increase from 8,000 in 2023—were collected from residents, bundled, and airlifted by the Louisiana National Guard. The trees are strategically placed to slow erosion, build new marsh habitat, and create natural storm surge barriers.
"Our annual Christmas Tree Recycling Program is a shining example of how small actions by our residents can make a big impact on the health and resilience of our city,” said Mayor LaToya Cantrell. “Every tree collected helps restore critical wetlands that protect New Orleans, support wildlife, and strengthen our natural defenses. I am proud of the collaboration between our City departments, state and federal partners, and our community to make this effort a success year after year.”
The trees were collected throughout January by the City’s Department of Sanitation and its contractors—Waste Pro, IV Waste, and Ramelli Waste—with additional drop-off sites and extended pickup dates to improve accessibility for residents.
“The community understands that these trees help restore the wetlands that protect us from storm surge and provide habitat for wildlife, all while keeping material out of the landfill,” said Greg Nichols, Deputy Chief Resilience Officer and Director of the Office of Resilience and Sustainability. “We are grateful to everyone who took part in this program and helped us grow its impact.”
After the trees were collected and bundled, helicopters from the Louisiana National Guard’s 1-244th Assault Helicopter Battalion airlifted them into the marsh, where USFWS staff repositioned them by boat. The drop also serves as a valuable training exercise for the Guard’s pilots and crews.
“We are excited to partner with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to serve the City of New Orleans and the surrounding coastal environment,” said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Kayla Meadors of the Louisiana National Guard. “This annual event helps preserve our marshlands and provides excellent training opportunities for our pilots and crew members.”
Over the program’s lifespan, recycled Christmas trees have helped rebuild marshland equal in size to approximately 330 football fields. The restored marsh provides crucial habitat for birds, fish, crabs, crawfish, and shrimp while protecting the city’s natural defenses against flooding and coastal erosion.
“The recycled trees placed in the wetlands at Bayou Sauvage will create habitat for a variety of fish, birds, and other wildlife,” said Samantha Carter, Outreach Manager for the Gulf Program at the National Wildlife Federation. “They also help trap sediment and eventually build more permanent ridges that protect the shoreline and inner marsh.”
USFWS staff emphasized that these projects wouldn’t be possible without local participation. “We are grateful to the residents of New Orleans and surrounding areas who take part in this project,” said Shelley Stiaes, USFWS Refuge Manager at Bayou Sauvage Urban National Wildlife Refuge. “These recycled trees help combat subsidence and coastal flooding, while supporting future enjoyment for all who visit the refuge.”
The City’s Office of Resilience and Sustainability coordinates the effort, highlighting the City’s commitment to long-term coastal protection and environmental stewardship. For more information about the Christmas Tree Recycling Program or about the Office of Resilience and Sustainability, visit https://nola.gov/resilience-sustainability.