CONTRIBUTED BY LAKE MARTIN TOURISM ASSOCIATION
ALEXANDER CITY —
Now that Christmas has come to pass, those Christmas trees may be able to find a new purpose.
Alabama Power, Lake Martin Resource Association and Lake Martin Tourism Association are teaming up to help create new fish habitats in Lake Martin.
From now to Jan. 8, undecorated Christmas trees can be dropped off at Lake Martin Machine Gun in Eclectic, Wind Creek State Park in Alexander City or New Water Farms in Dadeville. The trees will be collected by Alabama Power and properly turned in to fish habitats within the lake. This initiative benefits Lake Martin in many ways:
• This encourages proper recycling of trees, to keep them off of roadways and out of landfills.
• Alabama Power will be legally and properly placing the trees, making sure all safety measures are followed so that trees do not move and rise, which could damage boats and injure boaters. Alabama Power has strict processes in place that maintain the safety of boating on Lake Martin.
• This will help the aquatic ecosystem of the lake and help create new fish habitats.
• New fish habitats mean new fishing hotspots for anglers on Lake Martin. Fishing is important to the lake and local economies, and this effort helps push that even more. The specific coordinates of the new habitats will be released by this spring.
“What a great way to continue the season of giving by recycling your real Christmas tree to build fish habitats on Lake Martin,” said Jodie McGirt, President of Lake Martin Resource Association. “Lake Martin Resource Association (LMRA) is honored to partner with Alabama Power and LMTA to progress our mission to protect, preserve and promote Lake Martin through this project.
“From an environmental focus, we are seeking to preserve the ecosystem of the fish population by building additional habitats that attract more fish, with the trunks and branches becoming a nursery for small fish that attract larger fish looking for a good meal.
“From a safety perspective, we appreciate Alabama Power experts binding and placing these new habitats, securely submerged in safe locations to ensure boater safety throughout the year. We want to thank the community for your continued support to help LMRA protect and preserve Lake Martin for future generations.”
Brandy Hastings of Lake Martin Tourism Association (LMTA) spoke to the fishing benefits of these habitats.
“Fishing is an important part of our tourism offerings on Lake Martin, and we are excited to work with Alabama Power and Lake Martin Resource Association to create new fish habitats that will help further the aquatic ecosystem for our anglers,” Hastings said. “With Alabama Power being involved in this project, we can make certain that these fish habitats are created in the proper ways. When people don’t follow proper procedures, it creates the possibility of an unsafe situation when the trees become loose and become a hazard for boaters. Lake Martin Resource Association works hard all year to promote safe boating, and this is one way that we can work together with them to help further that mission and keep our boaters safe.”
Alabama Power’s Michael Clelland said Alabama Power has extensive experience recycling and repurposing Christmas trees.
“We have been recycling Christmas trees and building fish habitat since 1993 and have placed over 60,000 trees in Alabama Power reservoirs all over the state, including Lake Martin,” he said. “As reservoirs age, a lot of the natural brush and fish habitat deteriorates, and this is a way of creating new habitat and enhancing older habitat to benefit fish of all species. I look forward to working with LMRA and Lake Martin Tourism on this project in 2023 and hope we can make this Christmas tree recycling program an annual effort.”
ABOUT LAKE MARTIN RESOURCE ASSOCIATION
LMRA is a nonprofit organization comprised of a working Board of Directors and active members, dedicated to promoting, preserving and protecting the Lake Martin community. Some of its key areas of focus are boater safety through the Buoy Management and Boater training program;, environmental support through its Annual Renew Our Rivers with Alabama Power and year-round local cleanup; and advocacy focused on water quality and quantity with a board member representing Lake Martin on the Alabama Water Resource Commission. If you would like to join LMRA’s efforts, or renew your annual membership, please go to https://www.lmra.info/join-us.
ABOUT ALABAMA POWER
Our lakes and dams impound more than 157,000 acres of water and provide more than 3,500 miles of shoreline for the use and enjoyment of the public. With 14 hydro-facilities on the Coosa, Tallapoosa and Black Warrior rivers, Alabama Power strives to meet the needs of lake-goers and property owners who enjoy the recreation these lakes provide. They work to protect the many species and ecosystems that depend on their habitat, and they provide the state with low-cost renewable energy while supporting the local economies these lakes sustain. Lake Martin encompasses over 41,000 acres and 880 miles of shoreline.
ABOUT LAKE MARTIN TOURISM ASSOCIATION
LMTA is a legally registered 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization located in Alexander City, Alabama. The LMTA is an economic enhancement tool for Alexander City and the immediate communities surrounding Lake Martin, and it is administered by a Board of Directors made up of professionals who are impacted by tourism.