Over the weekend, U.S. Navy Seabees assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 133 volunteered their free time to support the beginning of Restore America’s Estuaries Week at Henderson Point in Pass Christian, Mississippi.
Twelve Seabees came out to show off their green thumbs and support the project which helped plant almost 600 trees on over seven acres.
“We are planting maples, live oaks, and cypress trees,” explained Judy Steckler, executive director for the Land Trust for the Mississippi Coastal Plain. Steckler says trees are an important part of the coast’s eco-system, so restoring what Katrina destroyed years ago is still very relevant. “The trees will help in the filtration of the water going in to the estuaries which is real important. It will bring birds back to the neighborhood because they’ll have food and safe shelter. So it’s really going to improve this area.”
That’s why volunteers like Electronics Technician 2nd Class Tia White say they’re happy to help. “The fact that we’re planting trees and making things more beautiful is what makes me feel good about what we are doing.”