SHORELINES

Auburn, Beauregard, Beulah and Hayden to relocate plants. As the program builds, the company hopes to include other stakeholder groups and fishing teams to help. Alabama Power does not encourage independent relocation efforts that could spread invasive species. ere are also state and federal laws prohibiting transport of invasive species. It's not just live plants that are used to enhance habitats. Alabama Power's Environmental Affairs Stewardship team also uses Christmas trees to improve fishing spots. Team members bundle the trees together and sink them at strategic locations, providing a perfect habitat for various species of fish. e Christmas trees provide a place for algae, micro- organisms and invertebrates to colonize. ese small organisms and insects attract small baitfish, which in turn draw larger fish, like bass, crappie and catfish. e tree recycling program began in 1992, and, since then, more than 60,000 trees have been given second life as fish habitats in Alabama Power lakes. e coordinates of each bundle are recorded with GPS to keep track of where the trees have been placed. "We've been building fish habits for more than 25 years now to enhance the recreational opportunities along the reservoirs we manage," said Mike Clelland, Alabama Power Environmental Affairs specialist. "An important part of this project is that we partner with people in communities across Alabama, from state and federal agencies and home and boat owner association groups, to high school fishing teams and students." e team also sinks habitats made from concrete and PVC pipe, which will last many years longer than the three- to five-year life of the Christmas trees. Information on fishing spots can be found online at apcshorelines.com/recreation/fishing. 34 | 2018 Vol:2

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