The Plum Creek Foundation awarded a $3,500 grant to the Caldwell Parish Assessor's Office to assist in the funding of a Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping program. The new mapping program will provide updated aerial photography base maps for Caldwell Parish that will include overlapping layers that show section lines, property boundaries, parcel identification/ownership, topography, drainage and structures.

Tom Shay, Senior Resource Manager for Plum Creek, stated that "The mapping program is fantastic - I wish all parishes would work toward getting this system as Caldwell has. This mapping system is an invaluable tool. It will also not only cut our work load down, but every person who uses a map locally." Scott Meredith, Assessor, in thanking Plum Creek for the contribution, said "We cannot thank Plum Creek enough for these funds. We are working toward our funding goal, and, along with contributions from Homeland Federal Savings Bank and Black Bayou Enterprises, we hope to reach our goal in the near future. When the system is in place, the entire community will benefit from it."

"We currently have no computerized mapping program and use paper aerial maps from 1978 that have limited current ownership information," said Joyce Copeland, a mapping technician with the Caldwell Parish Assessor's Office. "Thanks to the Plum Creek Foundation's support, this new GIS program will provide a comprehensive system of maps and other information that will allow users quick access and an easy-to-use format."

Plum Creek is one of the largest private timberland owners in the nation, with more than 8 million acres of timberlands in major timber production regions of the United States and ten wood products manufacturing facilities in the Northwest.

The mission of the Plum Creek Foundation is to provide philanthropic contributions to support and improve the general welfare of life in the communities that Plum Creek serves. The Foundation Board meets quarterly to review applications submitted from organizations in the company's operating communities. Visit the Community Involvement page on Plum Creek's website at w to download an application.

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