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Rhode Island: Christmas Trees Boost Fish Habitat
1 Jan
Summary
- Christmas trees are collected to build riverbank revetments.
- Revetments help create deeper water habitats for wild brook trout.
- The 'Trees for Trout' event is on Saturday, Jan. 10, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
State environmental officials in Rhode Island are encouraging residents to recycle their Christmas trees through a unique conservation program. The "Trees for Trout" initiative, a collaboration between the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management and Trout Unlimited, aims to restore freshwater habitats.
Since 2018, this program has collected used Christmas trees to construct conifer revetments along state rivers. These structures are vital for rebuilding eroding stream banks, which often become too shallow for fish spawning and living. The revetments help narrow river channels, ensuring deeper water during low-flow periods.
The "Trees for Trout" collection event is scheduled for Saturday, January 10th, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Arcadia Check Station in Exeter. Residents can drop off trees that meet specific criteria to contribute to the conservation efforts.
