Woodside Energy has announced a $5 million investment in a comprehensive, multi-year initiative to restore biodiversity and strengthen the environmental resilience of Sam Houston Jones State Park in Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana. The project will be delivered in partnership with the Louisiana Office of State Parks under the leadership of Lieutenant Governor Bill Nungesser along with RES and McNeese State University (MSU).
This unique partnership brings together expertise in conservation, habitat restoration and environmental research to support the long-term recovery of the park’s native ecosystems.
Woodside, a global energy company, is exclusively funding the project, committing $5 million over six years to restore more than 800 acres of forest habitat within the park. This contribution marks the largest corporate donation ever received by a state park in Louisiana and will facilitate the development of sustainable future conditions for the park’s distinctive longleaf pine, cypress tupelo swamps and hardwood forests.
Woodside Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer International Daniel Kalms emphasized the importance of the investment in Southwest Louisiana and its relevance to the company’s longstanding presence in the state.
“With more than 17 years of operations in Louisiana, Woodside is honored to participate in this collaborative public-private partnership, investing in the preservation of Louisiana’s valuable natural legacy. The initiative is another significant step forward for our ongoing investment in Southwest Louisiana, where Woodside and its partners are committing $17.5 billion to the Louisiana LNG Project in Calcasieu Parish.
“I’ve always said some of Louisiana’s greatest treasures are not found inside four walls, they are found in places like Sam Houston Jones State Park. This historic investment will help ensure it remains a place families can enjoy for generations to come,” said Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser.
“By restoring more than 800 acres of native habitat, we are enhancing the visitor experience while protecting the natural beauty that makes Louisiana’s State Parks so special. We are grateful to Woodside Energy and our partners for helping us create a healthier, more resilient landscape, improve access for visitors, and make the park an even greater destination for campers, hikers, birdwatchers, and outdoor enthusiasts from across Louisiana and beyond.”
RES, a nationally acclaimed ecological restoration organization originating in Louisiana, is responsible for designing and implementing the project. Activities will include site preparation, extensive tree planting, eradication of invasive plant species and prescribed burns vital for longleaf pine regeneration. Restoration efforts are supported by a robust research and monitoring program focused on forest habitats and keystone wildlife, conducted by RES ecologists in collaboration with MSU.
“Sam Houston Jones State Park is one of Southwest Louisiana’s most treasured natural and recreational resources, and RES is honored to help restore its forests and wetlands for future generations,” said Frank Cuccio, General Manager, Gulf Coast for RES. “This project represents the best of what ecological restoration can achieve – bringing together public agencies, private investment, academic research and local communities to create lasting environmental benefits.”
“This project offers significant research opportunities for McNeese State University,” commented Dr. Kedrick Nicholas, Interim President of MSU. “The restoration not only enhances the Park’s value as a community asset but also establishes a living laboratory for university-led research and ongoing ecological stewardship.”
About Woodside Energy
Woodside is a global energy company. Driven by a spirit of innovation and determination, we established the liquefied natural gas industry in Australia in the 1980s. We provide the energy the world needs to heat homes, keep the lights on and support industry. Today, our strategy is to thrive through the energy transition with a resilient and diversified portfolio of oil, gas and new energy projects in Australia, North America and Africa.
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