Maria Immacolata Catholic Church and School has been awarded the Tree-Mendous Tree Award for the first quarter of 2018. Retired Chancellor of L.E. Fletcher Community College Travis Lavigne accepted the award for the school. Lavigne is the volunteer caretaker for the property behind the school on Estate Drive. The church pastor Fr. Joseph Pilola and principal Prissy Davis were present at the posting of the award yard sign presented by Trudy V. Hebert, Terrebonne Parish Tree Board chairman.

In April 1965, Maria Immacolata Catholic Church was built on Estate Drive. The property included some wetland forest remnants. The Church built on the highland and allowed nature to take its course in the lowland.

Historic trees on the property include cypress, gum, red oaks, and water oaks. The trees offer a home to wildlife such as squirrels, raccoons, opossum, and birds of all varieties, including a couple of owls. The property is truly a beauty of nature.

While viewing this lovely parcel of land, you may want to sit and pray at the outdoor altar. The property absolutely depicts the school and church's mission of love and caring. 

Davis gives tribute to Lavigne for keeping the property beautiful. Lavigne not only mows the grass on a regular basis, but he picks up fallen limbs, trims the trees, clears the leaves, kills ants, trims around the drainage ditch, and even feeds some of the four-legged visitors on the property. 

“Trees on the property today in that area are original to when the property was purchased,” Lavigne said. “I feel close to God and nature, and I just love to be amongst the trees." Lavigne acknowledged Councilwoman Christa Duplantis Prather for asking him to assist her with the maintenance of the property. “I don’t think Christa meant for me to actually do it. She wanted me to work with the church to see if something could be done to keep the grass cut,” Lavigne said to the Council at the presentation of the award. “I loved the property, and I love doing this”. 

Lavigne has adopted the property as his commitment. This is a great example of what can be done in our Parish if more concerned citizens would volunteer to adopt an area to keep maintained, litter-free, and beautiful.

The Tree-Mendous Tree Award was created to make residents and businesses aware of the companies, organizations, governments, and private citizens who take the time and energy to protect, preserve and enhance our lives with trees. The Terrebonne Parish Tree Board’s mission includes creating awareness of the importance of trees in our environment both public and private. The aesthetics of green space allows the beauty of nature to enhance our lives both physically and mentally.

If you would like to nominate a property for the Tree-Mendous Tree Award contact the Terrebonne Tree Board Chair Trudy Hebert at (985) 858-2897 or submit the nomination online here. 

Additional Information

• Original Press Release