Donated Christmas trees to become underwater habitat for local wildlife
Kentucky Fish and Wildlife’s “Christmas for the Fishes” program is in its ninth year
CINCINNATI (WXIX) - For the ninth year, Kentucky Fish and Wildlife is asking the public to donate their real Christmas trees.
They take donated Christmas trees and turn them into habitat for local fish and wildlife.
The program collects around 5,200 trees a year.
Each tree is dropped into different lakes and reservoirs around Kentucky, creating places that help fish thrive.
Spencer Phillips, a fish habitat biologist for Kentucky Fish and Wildlife, says these trees are important to Kentucky lakes in particular. This is because Kentucky does not have any natural lakes.
“You almost end up with what is essentially an empty room rather than it being filled with furniture that we like to sit around on,” said Phillips. “So adding these trees replaces what has been lost over time and essentially creates nice, safe spaces for these fish to go to.”
Crews take the trees and anchor them with environmentally-friendly weights. They are then placed in the lakes to provide places for fish to shelter, feed, and spawn.
There are 37 drop-off locations around Kentucky.
Kentucky Fish and Wildlife is accepting your donated Christmas trees through Jan. 16.
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