News release Public Information Office  SLU 10880   Hammond, LA 70402   phone: 985-549-2341   fax: 985-549-2061 publicinfo@selu.edu Spring 2004 news releases Public Information home News archive Contact: Christina Chapple Date: 12/16/04   LEAVE YOUR TREE ON THE CURB TO BENEFIT SOUTHEASTERN MARSH RESTORATION PROJECT       HAMMOND -- Southeastern Louisiana University’s Christmas tree recycling program now comes with curb service.       “No more hauling trees to collection sites,” said Fred Stouder, a research associate who heads marsh restoration programs at the university’s Turtle Cove Environmental Research Station at Pass Manchac.        Stouder said curbside collection, compliments of Waste Management, is scheduled for Saturday,  Jan. 8, in Hammond and Ponchatoula and Saturday, Jan. 15, in rural areas.       “You can help protect our coast and marsh islands from disappearing by donating your discarded Christmas trees to the project, “ Stouder said.        Southeastern has been participating in a Louisiana Department of Natural Resources Christmas tree marsh restoration project since 1992. Stouder said the program uses the “recycled” holiday trees to construct sediment-collecting brush fences. Approximately 4,000 trees annually are  placed in the Pass Manchac area.        “Every year thousands of Christmas trees are discarded in the landfill where they take up valuable space and serve no purpose,” Stouder said. “If these trees are donated to our project, they will be of great service to us all.”       “We can only accept real trees without tinsel, flocking, plastic wrapping or ornaments,” he added.       Questions about the project should be directed to Stouder at  549-5355.