In one of the most blatant displays of corporate greed taking precedence over common sense, Wal-Mart, Home Depot and Lowe’s have been supporting the destruction of cypress forests that serve as some of the Gulf Coast’s best natural storm and flooding protection – to grind up for garden mulch!

Happily, our friends at the Save Our Cypress Coalition (with support from RAN activists and other concerned allies) had a major victory yesterday when Wal-Mart announced that, effective January 1, 2008, it will no longer buy and sell cypress mulch that is harvested, bagged, or manufactured in the state of Louisiana.

Wal-Mart’s decision comes on the heels of Lowe’s stating that it has implemented a moratorium on mulch from cypress harvested south of I-10/I-12 in Louisiana, excluding the Pearl River Basin. Home Depot and Lowe’s have claimed in the past that their suppliers do not source from coastal Louisiana, but the Atchafalaya Basinkeeper has gathered evidence proving this isn’t true.

What’s wrong with cypress mulch? Scientists say cypress forests are some of the Gulf’s best natural storm and flooding protection – and we all know how important that is! The swamps also support a wide array of wildlife including fish and crustaceans, migratory birds, and threatened and endangered species like the bald eagle and Florida panther. The swamps are of national importance to protect the economy, the unique environment of the Gulf Coast, and people.

Find out more, and take action to urge Home Depot and Lowe’s to follow Wal-Mart’s lead at www.saveourcypress.org