Another protester occupied a tree in City Park on Saturday (March 28) in an attempt to block construction of a $24.5 million golf complex, including a new course that opponents say will illegally trample 5.5 acres of protected wetlands and forest.

"Beaux" climbed the largest remaining oak tree within the construction site Saturday, according to the Facebook page for the City Park for Everyone Coalition, a newly formed nonprofit organization. The latest occupation came four days after the end of Jonathan "Lloyd" Boover's 12-day occupation of a different tree within the construction zone. Boover fell from the tree Tuesday and was booked on charges of criminal trespassing and resisting an officer.

The coalition filed a lawsuit Thursday claiming City Park officials had failed to comply with the National Environmental Policy Acts, and sought an immediate halt construction. On Saturday afternoon, however, heavy machinery was visible behind the construction fence whacking at brush and trees near Beaux's perch.

"The judge didn't put through the injunction, so they are cutting down trees right now," said Ashley Beach, identifying herself as affiliated with the coalition.

Beach spoke from the park entrance about a mile and a half from the Couturie Forest, where Beaux staged his protest. Beach and other supporters were gathering to march up Wisner Boulevard to Beaux's location.

Beaux was not visible from behind the construction fence, but a man responded when a reporter yelled "hello" during a break in the clearing activity. The man did not respond when asked to speak for a media interview.

The latest protest comes as two distinct groups are forming in opposition to the project. The coalition is an incorporated nonprofit, according to its lawsuit, and will soon elect officers, Beach said. Another group, called Wild is Free, appears to be a looser collective of individuals.

"The coalition will never do something against the law," said Tony Sce, an opponent of the golf project who gathered with Beach to march to the construction site. Sce identified himself as part of the Wild is Free group, which he and Beach said is more radical than the coalition.

"We're not responsible for each other's actions legally, but we will definitely do whatever it takes within certain boundaries," Sce said, describing members of Wild is Free.

Beach said the coalition is "not associated at all" with Wild is Free, but is sympathetic to its cause and probably shares some members.

"There's some cross pollination, but that's up to individuals," Beach said.

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