MARIANNA, Fla. — Editor's note: Video above is from a previous story.
Florida Caverns State Park in Marianna got some help on Wednesday from First Lady Casey DeSantis and two of her children.
"Junior Rangers" Madison and Mason DeSantis and the first lady joined Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Shawn Hamilton to plant longleaf pine seedlings as part of continued hurricane recovery efforts.
During Hurricane Michael, a category five storm, the park lost more than 90 percent of its forest, the governor's office said.
"Planting these pines will restore healthy ecosystems," said First Lady Casey DeSantis.
The Florida State Parks Foundation created the Plant A Pine initiative in which 100,000 longleaf pine seedlings were planted at state parks across Florida. They recently announced another goal to plant an additional 100,000 longleaf pine trees by Earth Day next year.
Hamilton says the event highlights the importance of protecting Florida's state parks, but also the significance of hurricane recovery through environmental restoration helping both the environment and locals.
Governor Ron DeSantis said in a statement, "This is another way to revitalize a stunning, historical part of Florida’s history.”
The longleaf pine seedlings were planted by volunteers and park staff. They said mature pine trees are more resistant to high winds and live longer than other southern pines.
In November, DeSantis said the upcoming state budget will have more than $1.5 billion in environmental funding.
This upcoming proposed budget will include more than $660 million for Everglades restoration projects and $300 million for the protection of water resources.
DeSantis says the state budget will also include support money for targeted water quality improvements, $40 million for alternative water supply grants, $50 million to help restore Florida's springs.