As the festive season draws to a close in Central Illinois, the question of what to do with your now bare Christmas tree arises. Fortunately, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) has a solution that not only clears out your household but also benefits the environment. This year, IDNR is facilitating the collection of live Christmas trees to repurpose them as fish habitats in local lakes.

Under the guidance of IDNR fisheries biologists, these trees will be bound together, weighted down, and submerged in lakes. According to IDNR officials, these natural structures will provide essential habitats for various fish species, foster algae growth which supports insects, and in turn, attract fish that anglers seek. Over time, these trees will naturally decompose, leaving no trace behind.