BLM and WGFD create fish habitat with recycled Christmas trees
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CODY, Wyo. – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Cody Field Office and Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) partnered in February to improve fish habitat at a local reservoir. Projects like this are an essential component of the BLM’s mission to practice shared conservation stewardship on public land.
The partners came together on a sunny February morning at Mayland Reservoir, located on public land south of Emblem. With temperatures hovering near zero, the group hauled dozens of Christmas trees across the frozen surface, placing them in strategic locations. Groups of trees were then tethered to concrete blocks which will sink, with the trees in tow, once the ice melts this spring.
Christmas trees have long been recycled in water bodies that lack structure and depth changes. These sunken trees will provide important cover for fish and much-needed nutrition as the plant tissue decomposes, spurring the growth of algae which forms the foundation for the food chain.
“It’s good to get some complexity to the habitat and it also helps attract fish,” said Joe Skorupski, WGFD fisheries biologist. “That’s really the goal—to bring fish to these areas so people have good opportunities to find fish close to shore.”
The fish species present in Mayland Reservoir are largemouth bass, green sunfish/bluegill hybrid, yellow perch and tiger muskie. All these species are attracted to submerged trees which concentrate them for angling.
Both the BLM and WGFD hope to continue this project for years to come. “We’re happy to partner with Wyoming Game and Fish to provide value back to Bighorn Basin anglers through the use of these trees,” said Brad Tribby, BLM fish biologist.
The BLM acknowledges the contributions of the City of Cody and Cody Rotary Club for sponsoring the Christmas tree recycling program, where the trees for this project were collected.
For more information, please contact Tribby at 307-578-5930.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.