Village of Parks latest to receive donated trash can

Mayor Kevin Katley accepts a new trashcan, sponsored by Kenny and JoAnne LeCompte, donated to the Villiage of Parks, through the efforts of Kris and Johnny Deviller of Nature’s Link and The TECHE Project.

The Village of Parks is the latest Trail Town community to receive a donated trash can to increase awareness of the importance to protect the Bayou Teche National Water Trail. This initiative is part of the TECHE Project’s community-driven vision to embrace the Teche and restore it to its natural beauty, while building a nature-based economy.  Kris and Johnny Devillier, of Nature’s Link in Breaux Bridge, have partnered with the TECHE Project to install trash cans throughout the 15 trail communities located on the Bayou Teche. “We started in Breaux Bridge to help build awareness to keep our town and water way clean, now we hope to expand to all communities along the Teche,” says Kris Devillier of Nature’s Link. This past spring, the TECHE Project partnered with Project Front Yard-St. Martin, Keep Louisiana Beautiful, and The Villiage of Parks to host a beautification project of the Cecile Rousseau Poche Memorial Park. During that event volunteers were able to paint and repair playground equipment and remove 1.2 tons of garbage from the Bayou Teche. This new trash can, sponsored by Kenny and JoAnne LeCompte, will serve as a reminder to visitors to leave no trace when enjoying the park. Mayor Kevin Kately was there to accept the newest addition to the Parks boat launch;  “We appreciate Nature’s Link and the TECHE Project for their efforts to keep our park and bayou clean.” Mayor Kately says, “now our boaters have a proper place to throw away their trash, instead of maybe throwing it on the ground.”   Over the past 8 years the TECHE Project has been able to remove over 50 tons of garbage from the Bayou Teche through volunteer efforts. Dane Thibodeaux Bayou Operations Coordinator of the TECHE project says to, “stash your trash.” “Simple things like the placement of a trashcan in high traffic areas will have a positive impact and reduce damaging our most precious resource,” Thibodeaux says. Nature’s Link and the TECHE Project are urging community members and businesses to “leave their mark” by sponsoring one of these trash cans. “The trash cans are $350 and will have a plaque with your name or in memory of a loved one.” Devillier says. If you are interested in being a sponsor, you can contact the TECHE Project at techeproject@gmail.com or Nature’s Link at natureslink@cox.net To keep up with all things Bayou Teche please follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @techeproject.