Lena, Ill (WTVO) — Lake Le Aqua Na State Park in Stephenson County, Ill. is utilizing a creative method for disposing of Christmas trees, where they are tied to cinderblocks and sunk in the lake to create fish habitats. This initiative has been organized by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (DNR) since 2021.
The initiative not only provides a sustainable way to dispose of Christmas trees but also contributes to the lake’s ecosystem. Brad Brown, the site superintendent at Lake Le Aqua Na, explained how the trees create vital cover for fish, enhancing their survival. “Without any structure or any place to hide all the small fish get eaten up by the bigger ones,” Brown said.
Brown elaborated on the ecological benefits of sinking Christmas trees in the lake. He noted that these structures promote algae growth, which supports insects that serve as a major food source for fish. He stated, “Some will still survive. I mean it would probably hurt the population; we’d have a few big predators, not as many smaller fish. But, you know, you gotta have them all if you’re going to have a healthy lake.”…