The Gulf's endangered cypress swamps are being clear-cut to feed an unsustainable and unnecessary mulch industry. Major retailers have an ideal opportunity to live up to their policies of sustainability by ending needless cypress deforestation and helping to restore balance to our coast. Wal-Mart, Home Depot, and Lowe's must immediately stop selling all cypress mulch products in favor of sustainable alternatives.

Cypress swamps are valuable natural protection for coastal communities from storm surge and flooding. After the devastation of Hurricanes Rita and Katrina, destruction of this coastal ecosystem is unacceptable. Threatened and endangered wildlife, such as the Louisiana black bear and the recently re-discovered ivory-billed woodpecker, also rely on these magnificent trees as important habitat.

The cypress mulch industry has become an imminent threat to the Gulf's swamps, and much of Florida's pristine cypress habitat has already fallen victim to demand for a product fueled by myth. Cypress mulch does not provide a product with any superior attributes, and sustainable alternatives, like pine straw and pine bark nuggets, are just as effective. 

Whole cypress trees being ground into mulch outside of Baton Rouge, LA. Photo credit: Atchafalaya Basinkeeper, courtesy of Southwings.

In Louisiana, the Governor's Science Working Group report has concluded that many cypress swamps will not regenerate once cut. Sadly, logging companies and mulch distributors continue grinding away our natural storm protection.

Join the Save Our Cypress Coalition in calling on Wal-Mart, Home Depot, and Lowe's to stop selling cypress mulch. Louisiana's future depends on it. 

The aftermath of logging for cypress mulch. Photo credit: Atchafalaya Basinkeeper.

Please visit our Take Action page to learn about the easy things you can do to put an end to this destructive and unnecessary product.