You may have noticed that The Waterkeeper Alliance is running a big ad campaign against the use of cypress mulch. Cypress cutting is apparently contributing to the loss of wetlands in Louisiana and causing serious environmental problems.
Here's what they have to say:
"Say NO to Cypress Mulch
The
cutting of cypress forests for garden mulch is destroying vital
wetlands that stabilize Louisiana's coast against hurricanes and provide vital migratory bird habitat. We believe that gardeners must know the truth about cypress mulch, and will stop using cypress mulch when presented with the facts:
Much of Louisiana's cypress mulch comes from illegal logging.
Louisiana
Regulators turn a blind eye towards these activities, allowing loggers to
continue destroying these forests without penalty. Yet 70-80% of the cypress
wetland forests of Louisiana will never regnerate if cut, even if they are artificially replanted.
The cypress
mulch industry destroys wetlands that protect coastal LousianaAt a time when the nation must
invest billions to restore Louisiana's wetlands for hurricane protection, cypress forests are being ground into mulch. Cypress wetlands prevent flooding by absorbing excess water like a sponge, controlling flood height and speed. These wetlands save lives and prevent the destruction of coastal cities."
I try to use leaf mulch whenever possible, but there's plenty of other material on the market aside from cypress. Take heed and let's all lend a hand to the restoration of those vital wetlands.
Thanks everyone who has used their power as concerned citizens to put an end to the mulching of our coastal wetlands, by not using cypress mulch!
For more information on alternative mulches, check out the University of Florida study:
http://pasco.ifas.ufl.edu/hort/mulches.htm
EPA has not gotten off its seat with this issue, but we're making progress with the big cypress mulch retailers who are starting to hear concern from gardeners like you.
Bana Malik
Waterkeeper Alliance
Posted by: Bana Malik | June 01, 2006 at 04:30 PM