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 Resource Environmental Solutions (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 says.

Woodside, a global energy company, is exclusively funding the project, committing its investment 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 VP and international COO Daniel Kalms emphasises 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 honoured 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 liquefied natural gas project in Calcasieu Parish.

By restoring more than 800 acres of native habitat, Woodside is helping to enhance the visitor experience of the area while protecting the natural beauty that makes Louisiana's State Parks special. 

RES, a nationally acclaimed ecological restoration organisation 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 programme 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,” says RES Gulf Coast GM Frank Cuccio, adding that 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.

In turn, MSU comments that the restoration project offers significant research opportunities for the university. “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," concludes MSU interim president Dr Kedrick Nicholas.