(WTVF) — Starting today, you can recycle your natural Christmas tree and help out Kentucky's fish and wildlife.
The "Christmas for the Fishes" program starts today in the state. The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife is collecting natural Christmas Trees at 39 drop-off locations across the state. The full list of locations is below.
“Christmas for the Fishes gives people the opportunity to participate in our year-round conservation efforts,” Joseph Zimmerman, the habitat program coordinator for Kentucky Fish and Wildlife, said. “Instead of your tree going to a landfill, it can be recycled into something that directly helps our fish and wildlife.”
Donated trees must be free of all lights, tinsel, ornaments or any other decorations.
Drop-off sites are generally open during daylight hours and are not staffed.
Kentucky Fish and Wildlife staff will bundle trees to place in lakes throughout the state to provide fish attractors. This practice not only gives use to discarded Christmas trees, but it also adds food sources and protective cover for Kentucky’s aquatic species.
Kentucky Fish and Wildlife receives around 3,000 donated trees each year. Thanks to these habitat supplements, anglers have reported higher catch rates for crappie and bass.
Kentucky Fish and Wildlife have posted a video with more information about how the trees help.
