📸 Pictured: William Daniel, President of the Friends of Cat Island, teaching Troop 61 how to identify tree species.
Saint Francisville Boy Scout Troop 61 recently joined forces with the Friends of Cat Island for a hands-on environmental project at West Feliciana Middle School. Their mission? To give some TLC to the potted trees that are part of a long-running reforestation effort for Cat Island National Wildlife Refuge.
This unique partnership between Troop 61, the West Feliciana school system, the Friends of Cat Island, and Louisiana Sea Grant teaches local students about the refuge’s rich environment while connecting them to a special place they might not otherwise explore. Each year, elementary, middle, and high school students help restore the tree canopy at the refuge by planting species native to the area, helping to replace trees lost to flooding, storms, and natural aging.
During their visit, the Scouts rolled up their sleeves and got to work! They pulled weeds from the pots and surrounding gravel beds, removed dead trees, and cleared out any species not suitable for the refuge. They also took on the important task of grouping the trees by species, preparing them for future planting days.
William Daniel, President of the Friends of Cat Island, guided the Scouts through the process of identifying different tree species which turned the morning into a valuable outdoor classroom experience.
Thanks to the hard work and enthusiasm of Troop 61, the project is ready for its next step: getting those trees into the ground where they belong, helping the refuge thrive for generations to come!