APTC to observe La. Arbor Day by planting live oak

A live oak will be planted in observance of Louisiana Arbor Day at 10 a.m. on Jan. 21 at the Acadia Parish Tourist Information Center.
The public is invited to attend the tree-planting ceremony to learn more about the live oak species and its importance to soil and air quality, storm protection, and erosion prevention.
“We take our live oaks for granted in Louisiana,” said Bob Thibodeaux, environmentalist and owner of Bob’s Tree Preservation. “Our Acadian ancestors were stewards of the environment, and we need to learn from them.”
Thibodeaux, who will be a guest speaker at the ceremony, has grown thousands of live oaks by collecting acorns from the highest quality and longest living live oaks in Louisiana. Of the thousands of these saplings, one is to be donated to the Acadia Parish Tourist Commission for the Louisiana Arbor Day ceremony.
Thibodeaux hopes to plant other trees in Lake Charles to replace those that were destroyed by Hurricane Laura.
The Acadia Parish Tourist Commission has partnered with Thibodeaux to host the ceremony and raise awareness to the public about the value of trees.
“The live oak is a powerful symbol of South Louisiana and its resilience,” said Nancy Loewer, executive director of the Acadia Parish Tourist Commission. “We are grateful that this iconic tree will provide shade and beauty for tourists who visit our center for years to come.”