The city of Athens donated about 50 used Christmas trees to Lake Snowden to help with structure and spawning in two fish hatchery ponds.
During the past several years, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources has asked Athens Yard Waste Program to collect any residents' unwanted Christmas trees, Director of Engineering and Public Works Andy Stone said.
The trees are then donated from the city to Lake Snowden to improve wildlife habitat, Stone said.
It's great to take something that is waste and improve the environment locally
said city Councilman Elahu Gosney, D-at Large.
This year, about 25 trees will be swapped for older trees in two of the five man-made fish hatchery ponds at the recreational park, said Levi Lackey, graduate intern at Lake Snowden Hocking College fish hatchery.
The trees are used for helping aquatic wildlife prosper, Lackey said. He added that the artificial ponds do not recreate the natural environment that the wildlife requires.
There are some species who put their eggs in (the trees) which is good cover during spawning Lackey said.
Other wildlife, including shrimp and small fish, use the structures for hiding, Lackey said.
Lackey said the trees will not be swapped until the harsh winter weather has subsided.
Hocking College students will replace the trees once the ponds become unfrozen, Lackey said. He added that they would drain the ponds and selectively place the trees.
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Emily Bowman
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A blanket of snow covers Lake Snowden Wednesday. Christmas trees will be set adrift in the lake to assist aquatic wildlife. (Meg Roussos | PICTURE EDITOR)
