New Greenways Plan to Be in Place by End of April in Bay St. Louis & Waveland

400 Trees Will Be Planted by the End of April Along Business Corridors

During the February meeting of the Hancock Chamber Board, a design plan was reviewed to plant 400 trees along Highway 90 and Highway 603 by the end of April. This project is a great example of a public / private partnership, said Chamber President Guy Johnson. Working together with governmental officials at the state and local level, our community leaders developed an idea, obtained grant funding and put the plan in action in a timely fashion to achieve the goals for our county.

This project is made possible through a $100,000 grant from the Mississippi Forestry Commission with support by the City of Waveland, the City of Bay St. Louis, and Hancock County Board of Supervisors and Replant South Mississippi and is being managed by the Hancock Chamber of Commerce Greenways Committee, chaired by Margaret Taylor.

The project consists of four planting sites in Bay St Louis and Waveland: 1. Bay St. Louis Bridge to Main Street along Highway 90; 2. Highway 90 at 603 in Waveland; 3. Bayou LaCroix Bridge & Highway 603; 4. Waveland Avenue & Highway 90.

Native species will be used, with the bulk of trees being Live Oaks. These trees will be substantial in size when planted ranging up to 15 feet in height. Trees include: Southern Live Oak; Willow Oak; Common Bald Cypress; Southern Magnolia; and, Red Maple.

This effort is a result of the work of many, including volunteer technical advisors Russell and Mary Williams and Elizabeth Register. This is a culmination of efforts that began prior to Katrina with the completion of the Hancock County Greenways plan spear-headed by the Hancock County Board of Supervisors with support from the Chambers Community Development Committee, chaired by Ron Magee and coordinated by Allison Anderson and Sue Chamberlain. The Forestry Commission grant was written by Ellis Anderson and was first awarded in January of 2007. A request for qualifications was submitted in September of 2007 to the Hancock Chamber. Applications were received in October and following a committee review process, RCI Landscape, Maintenance and Construction, with an office in Bay St. Louis, was selected in December. Final review of the plans will be complete March 10^th.

1,000 Trees Will Be Given Away to Local Residents & Businesses in March

During March, through the Hancock Chamber Greenways Committee, the community will also have the opportunity to give away more than 1,000 trees to area residents and business owners through Replant Hancock County, the local initiative of Replant South Mississippi.

This is made possible through a grant that the Mississippi Land Trust of the Coastal Plains has received enabling the forestation of the coastal areas following the loss of trees from Katrina. This three year program will provide trees for private land owners and businesses in the spring and fall.

More than 250 local residents and businesses attended community tree planting meetings during February to register for the first round of free trees to be given away on Saturday, March 15^th from 9am 12noon at the Bay St. Louis Branch of the Hancock Library. (You must register in advance and all trees are already reserved for the first giveaway. More information will follow later on how you can register for the tree giveaway this fall.)

Trees available for the spring planting include three gallon trees that have been grown with a special Root Production Method that causes the trees to grow faster. Red Maples, Shumard Oak, Bald Cypress, Pecan, and Sycamore. During the Fall, it is anticipated that southern live oaks and southern magnolias will be available.

We owe special thanks to the Library Foundation of Hancock County for sponsoring the tree distribution portion of this project and to the Hancock Library for serving as our distribution site, said Guy Johnson, president of the Hancock Chamber.

Trees are a significant economic asset to a community, building a positive image, which is a key factor in attracting residents, businesses and visitors alike, said Johnson. Trees also have a positive impact on the value of commercial property. Well-landscaped businesses project an image of quality and service that entices customers. Increased spending with local businesses translates into increased sales tax revenues collected by the cities. Everyone profits.

For more information, contact the Hancock Chamber at 228-467-9048.