Christmas for the Fishes program recycles your old tree for helpful habitat

 

An example of a fish habitat made from discarded Christmas trees.
An example of a fish habitat made from discarded Christmas trees.

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Help create habitat for fish while disposing of your old Christmas tree this season with Kentucky Fish and Wildlife’s Christmas for the Fishes program.

The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources is accepting natural Christmas trees through Jan. 15 at 33 locations in 26 counties across the state. Trees must be free of lights, ornaments, tinsel, garland and any other decorations.

To find the location nearest you, visit the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife website at fw.ky.gov and type in the keyword, “Christmas.”

Fisheries personnel collect the donated trees and bundle them to create fish attractors that will be submerged in lakes across the state. These brush reefs provide new cover for all fish and nursery habitat for young fish. They also attract baitfish and algae, providing food for young fish and other aquatic organisms.

New habitat is placed in lakes year-round by fisheries personnel. The Global Position System (GPS) coordinates of these features are plotted on lake maps available on the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife website.

CLICK HERE to view drop off locations.