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Thibodeaux discusses ‘Acorns of Hope’

By: Jeannine LeJeune
CROWLEY – Joe Freeland helped welcome Bob Thibodeaux from Acorns of Hope to the Crowley Rotary Club's weekly meeting Tuesday.

Acorns of Hope is a local tree planting initiative dedicated to restoring South Louisiana’s eroding coastline. The project consists of certified arborists and tree advocates from across the country who donate their time and efforts to annually ride bicycles and plant live oaks along the coast.

Thibodeaux is a nationally recognized arobrist that will also be on hand for Crowley’s observance of Arbor Day next Wednesday, January 19, at the Wells Fargo depot yard with a brief program following in the building, Charlotte Jeffers, city tourism coordinator, was on hand to announce. Crowley's program is one of many that will help celebrate Arbor Day across the U.S. Crowley is also one of the oldest Tree City USA cities in the state. Crowley has been a Tree City USA city for 24 years, second only to New Orleans' 28 years.

Thibodeaux opened his program talking about what led to the creation of Acorns of Hope. He used to participate in Tours Des Trees, but in 2007, had the first Acorns of Hope event to put more emphasis on Louisiana’s coastal erosion problems.

“We’re excited about Acorns of Hope, but it needs to grow,” he said.

Thibodeaux added that the program needs organizations like the Rotary Club and cities like Crowley to be host city and organizations to be involved in the program for it to continue to grow and be successful.

In its first year, Acorns of Hope focused solely on quantity, not quality of trees. Now, however, they are learning as they go and are now focusing on acorns from sturdy trees that have stood the test of time and are dubbed the best of the best. Now they replant trees after two years that are at least three feet tall. Thibodeaux monitors selected trees and their acorns to get the best of the best.

“I think bigger trees are the answer,” said Thibodeaux. “They can withstand more weather conditions and other things like that.”

He also stated that he sees Acorns of Hope as a small town project that works best within smaller towns.

Prior to Thibodeaux’s program, President Isabella delaHoussaye reminded club members of the District 6200 mid-year assembly that will be held Saturday in Welsh and that the club will hold its assembly next week during its normal meeting time.

Thibodeaux and the Rotary Club are also planting a tree at the Eighth Street Park in Crowley in honor of the late Jack Omohundro.

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