To repurpose holiday remnants, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is inviting residents to gift their once-adorned Christmas trees to finned dwellers of the state's lakes. According to a recent announcement, IDNR fisheries biologists are orchestrating a collection of live Christmas trees intended to serve as aquatic habitats post-Yuletide celebrations. Residents eager to contribute to this environmental cause can be assured that their trees will find a second life beneath the waves, offering shelter and sustenance to lake-dwelling fish species.
The initiative is not just about sinking trees and watching them disappear, the submerged trees form a complex environment where fish can thrive, algae can grow, and it all becomes a hub for insects that fish feed on, which, in turn, attracts the anglers who are looking for their next big catch. The merry evergreens will eventually break down naturally, but until then, they’re aquatic condos for a slew of species, and maps plus coordinates, of where these trees will be sitting at the bottom of lakes, are available on the IDNR Office of Fisheries website.
For those ready to donate their trees, several drop-off locations are at their disposal from Thursday to varying dates in January and even March, for the extremely late tree disposers. Locations span across counties ranging from the Carlyle Lake Dam East boat ramp in Clinton County to the northwest corner parking lot of Howy’s Lakeside Gas Station in Moultrie County. It's crucial to note that trees should be stripped of all decor, which includes stands, lights, ornaments, and especially tinsel.
Residents interested in this post-Christmas conservation plea should visit the Illinois.gov website for detailed instructions on drop-off locations, dates for each donation site, and any additional requirements to ensure that each tree is ready for its underwater debut.
