A local wildlife rehabilitation centre hopes St. Albert residents will donate their old Christmas trees so they can be turned into homes for birds.
The WILDNorth wildlife rehabilitation centre has put out a call for Christmas tree donations to help feed and house wounded animals.
Last year — 2021 — was the centre’s busiest year yet, particularly when it came to migratory birds, said executive director Dale Gienow. Among those birds were 17 snowy owls admitted last month, most of which were malnourished juveniles. (One had singed feathers from sitting on a flare stack.)
Gienow said the centre hope to get 100 old live Christmas trees by Jan. 8 to feed porcupines, shelter birds, and calm animals stressed out from indoor living.
“We’re trying to bring a little of the outdoors indoors for our wildlife residents,” he said.
Gienow said the can could use evergreen trees of any size, provided they are not wrapped, decorated, or artificial. Trees should be dropped off at the Parkland County rehabilitation centre at 53327 Range Road 271 between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.
While most Alberta animals are adapted to winter, Gienow said this recent cold snap could prove challenging to some. Anyone who spots a wild animal in apparent distress should call the centre’s wildlife helpline at 780-914-4118. Gienow also advised residents to put away their bird baths during this weather, as they can cause birds to freeze to poles, and to clean up spilled food from bird feeders so as not to attract coyotes.
If you don’t want to haul your live tree to Parkland County, you can drop it off at the St. Albert compost depot instead on weekends from Jan. 8 to 23 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. City crews will collect undecorated, unwrapped trees left at the curbside from Jan. 10 to 21. Visit stalbert.ca/home/waste/seasonal/tree-pickup for details.
