Where can you drop off Christmas trees for fish habitat projects

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources wants your old Christmas tree to make new fish friends, collecting bare trees to sink in local lakes as natural habitats for anglers' favorite catches.

IDNR fisheries biologists are collecting live Christmas trees to be used as fish habitat in local lakes after the holidays, according to a community announcement. The collected trees will be bundled together, weighted, and submerged at lakes, providing critical habitat for multiple fish species and promoting algae growth for insects that attract fish for anglers. The trees will naturally decompose over time.

Maps and coordinates of the tree habitat locations are available online or from each lake's biologist. Visit the IDNR Office of Fisheries website for drop-off location information and instructions. Trees should be placed only in the designated area for each site and only during the designated drop-off dates. Trees must be free of stands, lights, ornaments, and tinsel. Wreaths and garlands will not be accepted.

Drop-off locations and dates include the following:

• Clinton County

  • Spillway Recreation Area: Dec. 26 to March 1. Place trees in the area designated by signage near Little Prairie Nature Trail.

  • Plant Land Garden Center: Dec. 26 to March 1. Place trees in the area designated by signage.

• Fayette County

  • Ramsey Lake State Recreation Area: Dec. 27 to Jan. 18. Place trees at the designated area near the boat ramp.

• Jasper County

  • Newton State Fish and Wildlife Area: Dec. 27 to Jan. 18. Place trees at the designated area on the northwest side of the parking lot near the boat ramp.

  • Sam Parr State Fish and Wildlife Area: Dec. 27 to Jan. 18. Place trees in the designated area near the southwest boat ramp.

• Lawrence County

  • Red Hills State Park: Dec. 27 to Jan. 18. Place trees in the designated area near the boat ramp.

• Macon County

  • Nelson Park: Dec. 27 to Jan. 16. Place trees in the designated area near the old Paul's Puttin' Place.

• Marion County

  • City of Centralia, Public Works Building: Dec. 27 to Jan. 18. Place trees near the south gate at 114 E. Fifth St.

  • Stephen A. Forbes State Recreation Area: Dec. 27 to Jan. 18. Place trees in the designated area near the boat ramp.

• Moultrie County

  • Howy's Lakeside Gas Station: Dec. 27 to March 1. Place trees in the designated area at the northwest corner of the parking lot.

• Richland County

  • Olney Municipal Parking Lot: Dec. 27 to Jan. 18. Place trees in the designated area at the northeast corner of the parking lot.

• Shelby County

  • Johnstowne Mall: Dec. 27 to March 1. Place trees in the designated area at the northwest corner of the parking lot.

• Stephenson County

  • Lake Le-Aqua-Na State Park: Dec. 27 to Jan. 11. Follow signage to the drop-off location.

• Wabash County

  • Beall Woods State Park: Dec. 27 to Jan. 18. Place trees in the designated area near the boat ramp.

• Wayne County

  • Sam Dale State Fish and Wildlife Area: Dec. 27 to Jan. 18. Place trees in the designated area near the boat ramp.

For more information and to find the nearest drop-off location, visit dnr.illinois.gov .

This story was created by Dave DeMille,  ddemille@gannett.com , with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at  cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct .

This article originally appeared on Journal Standard: Drop-off sites open for tree recycling in Illinois lakes