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| Reedsport Community Charter School students and staff put Christmas trees in Buck Creek. ODFW photo. |
Christmas trees help native fish
February 11, 2016
ROSEBURG, Ore – The holiday season may be over, but Douglas County’s
fish are just getting their gifts. December’s used Christmas trees were
recently placed in East Fork Rock Creek and Buck Creek to enhance fish
habitat.
“We put the Christmas trees in streams...
that already have
large woody debris habitat restoration structures. The decomposing
needles put nutrients in the streams, providing food for micro-organisms
that in turn feed juvenile salmon,” said Evan Leonetti, Oregon
Department of Fish and Wildlife STEP biologist.
Leonetti worked with the Coastal Conservation
Association’s Steve Godin and Phoenix School’s Thomas McGregor to
coordinate the project. Students with Phoenix School in Roseburg placed trees in East Fork Rock Creek while Reedsport Community Charter School students worked on Buck Creek.
Students from both schools get work experience while
learning about fish biology and stream ecology. McGregor said these
types of projects create meaningful opportunities for the students while
enhancing local communities.
Willing landowners were also an integral part of the
process. Seneca Timber and Roseburg (formerly Roseburg Forest Products)
have been working with ODFW for years and again partnered to help
restore fish habitat.
This annual project is a win-win for everyone.
“The public has a free place to get rid of their
Christmas trees, the kids get unique learning and work experience, and
our native fish have better habitat, said Leonetti.
