Repurpose Your Live Christmas Trees for Fish Habitat

Repurpose your live Christmas tree by donating it to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Rend Lake Project for fish habitat. Donated trees will be bundled together and placed underwater in Rend Lake, providing fish habitat and improving angling opportunities.

Tree drop-off locations are available at Rend Lake, Mt. Vernon, and Marion.

At Rend Lake, drop off locations include:

• Sugar Creek Parking Lot: located at the intersection of Licata and Mine 24 roads.
• Dam West Boat Ramp: located on the west side of the Rend Lake Dam.

At Mt. Vernon, drop off locations include:

• Veteran’s Park Softball Field: 800 South 27^th Street.
• Optimist Park: 903 Pace Avenue.

At Marion, drop off locations include:

• Ray Fosse Park: Goofy Golf parking lot at 500 East Deyoung Street, just north of Highway 13.
• Pyramid Park: Northernmost picnic shelter parking lot at 1300 Bevabeck Drive.

Tree donations will be accepted through January 11, 2026.

Please note that artificial or flocked trees (those with artificial snow) cannot be accepted. Additionally, all tinsel, decorations, stands, and plastic bags must be removed before dropping off your tree.

In March, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Illinois Department of Natural Resources fisheries biologists, and volunteers will place the bundled, weighted trees into Rend Lake. Stay tuned for the exact date of the Annual Rend Lake Christmas Tree Drop by checking local newspapers, TV stations, or the Rend Lake Project Office/Visitor Center Facebook page. Volunteers and outdoor organizations interested in helping with the tree drop can contact the Rend Lake Project Office at (618) 724-2493.