In 2019, SOUL partnered with the City Park of New Orleans to plant 65 native, water-loving trees along the banks of Bayou St. John, between Esplanade Avenue and Florida Avenue.

With the kind support of the J.M. Smuckers/Folgers Company, and with the help of volunteers from Smuckers/Folgers, this planting will impact not only the immediate flood-prone neighborhood, but will be beneficial for the city at large. New Orleanians will be able to picnic in the shade of a tree, take a rest from the hot sun, enjoy the biodiversity of birds and other animals that will surely follow with the planting and growth of these large, water-loving native trees.

Below is a diagram of our proposed planting site.