Runnin’ Roos’ Help for 'Restore America's Estuaries Week'

Photo By Cliff Williams | Construction Electrician 1st Class Aaron Hutnick and Utilitiesman 2nd Class Dylan Reboulet use an auger to drill holes in the ground for trees to be planted for the Restore America's Estuaries Week at Henderson Point in Pass Christian, Miss. Hutnick and Reboulet were two of the 12 Seabees to volunteer for the two-day event where almost 600 trees were planted over seven acres.  

PASS CHRISTIAN, MS, UNITED STATES

09.20.2015

Story by Cliff Williams 

Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 133

PASS CHRISTIAN, Miss. – Over the weekend, 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, Miss. Twelve Seabee 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."

Seabees were not the only ones who volunteered for the two day event. Even some of the local children came out to assist in the day of service.

"It's kind of different to do something like this because it's something that's going to carry on and move up with the different generations," said Gunner’s Mate 2nd Class Gary Shulmire, who brought his son and daughter to teach them a lesson on giving back. "It just gives them an opportunity to learn. I did a lot of volunteering when I was growing up back in Texas. We had the opportunity to do a lot of service projects through church and school, so I thought it would be good to help them learn and understand what it is to be in a community and help out."

Restore America’s Estuaries is a national alliance of 11 coastal conservation groups that stretch from Maine to Washington State. Local projects restore coastal wetlands, improve water quality, open fish passages, build living shorelines, re-plant salt marshes and restore shellfish habitat. They provide a united voice for coastal conservation in the nation’s capital and advance the science and practice of protecting and restoring estuaries through on-the ground projects, ground breaking science, high-level meetings, and the power of convening people.

• Date Taken: 09.20.2015
• Date Posted: 09.29.2015 22:04
• Story ID: 177548
• Location: PASS CHRISTIAN, MS, US