SULPHUR – April 11, 2019 – The CITGO Lake Charles Refinery continues Caring for our Coast (CFOC) in Southwest Louisiana by co-hosting a conservation event with The Nature Conservancy on the Hollister Tract, an area known for its wetland characteristics located just west of the Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge. TeamCITGO and The Nature Conservancy volunteers worked to restore its natural habitat by clearing overgrown trails and planting trees.

“These coastal woodlands (cheniers) are essential to the success of migratory songbirds each year. The support provided by CITGO to restore and maintain this conservation easement is a positive force in the conservation of these species and the habitat they rely on,” said Director of Coastal and Marine Conservation at The Nature Conservancy of Louisiana Seth Blitch.

Originally intended as a year-long effort to preserve Southwest Louisiana’s coastline after Hurricane Rita inflicted major damage in 2005, CFOC has evolved into an ongoing, large-scale environmental restoration program that includes educational and volunteer efforts.

"Louisiana’s rich coastal environment is vital to the success of our communities, state and industries. Because of this, we must all do our part to work together to protect these resources by restoring natural habitats and protecting our coastlines," said CITGO Vice President and General Manager, Lake Charles Refinery Jerry Dunn. “We all take pride in contributing to Louisiana’s beautiful landscape, and it is important to CITGO to make a positive impact on our environment.” 

Through CFOC, 6,218 volunteers donated 25,287 hours in 250 restoration, conservation and education events in 2018. CITGO supported 11 non-profit organizations whose work resulted in 1,042 acres of land restored or enhanced; 106,282 trees, shrubs and grass plugs planted; 92,944 lbs. of trash collected; and 279 miles of shoreline cleaned. In total, since 2014 when the program began, more than 13,000 CITGO and community volunteers have helped restore nearly 6,200 acres, planted more than 536,000 plants and collected more than 103,800 lbs. of trash.

CITGO has a longstanding commitment to environmental stewardship and is dedicated to enhancing the communities it serves by conserving and protecting the natural habitats that are critical to our long-term prosperity. CITGO is proud to be recently named the 2018 Corporate Conservationist of the Year in the Annual Governor’s State Conservation Achievement Recognition Program conducted by the Louisiana Wildlife Federation.

About CITGO
Headquartered in Houston, Texas, CITGO Petroleum Corporation is a recognized leader in the refining industry with a well-known brand. CITGO operates three refineries located in Corpus Christi, Texas; Lake Charles, La.; and Lemont, Ill., and wholly and/or jointly owns 48 terminals, nine pipelines and three lubricants blending and packaging plants. With approximately 3,400 employees and a combined crude capacity of approximately 749,000 barrels-per-day (bpd), CITGO is ranked as the fifth-largest, and one of the most complex independent refiners in the United States. CITGO transports and markets transportation fuels, lubricants, petrochemicals and other industrial products and supplies a network of approximately 5,000 locally owned and operated branded retail outlets in 30 states and the District of Columbia. CITGO Petroleum Corporation is owned by CITGO Holding, Inc. For more information, visit www.CITGO.com