Rather than simply throw out your Christmas tree this year, you should consider donating it to a Maryland state park. The Maryland Park Service is currently accepting Christmas trees at six state parks to be used as habitat enrichment for birds in the Scales and Tales programs. Recycled trees are used inside the aviaries in these state parks where the raptors are kept (no, not Jurassic Park raptors).
Animals come into the Scales and Tales program when they are wounded and cannot be returned to the wild. These trees enrich the enclosures of these animals, giving them greenery, protection, and a sense of the wild.
Ranger Sarah Milbourne with the MD DNR says the trees will be "welcomed by the many raptors in the parks" (two bald eagles; kestrels; and barred and barn owls). Milbourne says the tiny screech owls are especially fond of nestling into the trees.
Click here for directions to participating parks and remember that ALL decorations, including tinsel, must be removed prior to donating your tree. The six parks include: Assateague State Park, Cunningham Falls State Park, Deep Creek Lake State Park, Pocomoke River State Park, Rocky Gap State Park, and Tuckahoe State Park.
Wednesday, December 30, 2015 - 09:00
Rather than simply throw out your Christmas tree this year, you should consider donating it to a Maryland state park. The Maryland Park Service is currently accepting Christmas trees at six state parks to be used as habitat enrichment for birds in the Scales and Tales programs. Recycled trees are used inside the aviaries in these state parks where the raptors are kept (no, not Jurassic Park raptors).
Animals come into the Scales and Tales program when they are wounded and cannot be returned to the wild. These trees enrich the enclosures of these animals, giving them greenery, protection, and a sense of the wild.
Ranger Sarah Milbourne with the MD DNR says the trees will be "welcomed by the many raptors in the parks" (two bald eagles; kestrels; and barred and barn owls). Milbourne says the tiny screech owls are especially fond of nestling into the trees.
Click here for directions to participating parks and remember that ALL decorations, including tinsel, must be removed prior to donating your tree. The six parks include: Assateague State Park, Cunningham Falls State Park, Deep Creek Lake State Park, Pocomoke River State Park, Rocky Gap State Park, and Tuckahoe State Park.