30th annual Bass Pro Shops Christmas tree program to provide habitat for wildlife
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Springfield area residents who want to off-load their Christmas tree after the holidays can accomplish that task while also providing needed habitat for Missouri wildlife. For the 30th consecutive year, Bass Pro Shops is partnering with the Missouri Department of Conservation to recycle Christmas trees to provide wildlife habitat for rabbits, quail and songbirds at the Bois D’ Arc Conservation Area northwest of Springfield.
Christmas trees will be collected from noon to 6 p.m. each day from Dec. 26, 2016, to Jan. 1, 2017, at the northwest end of the Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World store parking lot facing Sunshine Street. Trees cannot be dropped off at any other times or at any other Bass Pro Shops properties. In addition, tree stands and decorations must be removed before trees will be accepted.
The Ozarks Trail Council Boy Scouts Wa-Sha-She Lodge Order of the Arrow will manage the collection area by unloading trees and loading trailers. Donations are appreciated with a minimum of $2 per tree suggested. All proceeds go to Scout projects.
“We are very thankful to Bass Pro Shops for giving our Scouts this opportunity to raise money for all their many projects,” said Boy Scout staff advisor Jared Alexander.
After trees are collected and loaded, Bass Pro Shops will haul them to designated wildlife habitat sites at the conservation area. Werner Enterprises donates use of their trailers to haul trees.
Since Bass Pro Shops started this highly successful program back in 1986, more than 270,000 Christmas trees have been recycled into the habitat program.
“We are happy to do our part for this highly successful conservation program that benefits the Boy Scouts, wildlife, hunters, bird watchers and other outdoor enthusiasts,” said Katie Mitchell, Bass Pro Shops communications manager.
Bass Pro Shops has a long track record of investing in programs designed to conserve America’s natural resources, and the company’s work to coordinate its employees, property and resources to collect and recycle Christmas trees is an example of that commitment. In September 2014, the Missouri Recycling Association (MORA) recognized those efforts by presenting its Outstanding Business Recycling and Waste Reduction Award to Bass Pro Shops for implementing measures at their headquarters in Springfield, Missouri, aimed at protecting the state’s natural resources.
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Media Contacts:
Missouri Department of Conservation – Kevin Hedgpeth 417-751-3856
Boy Scouts – Jared Alexander, 417-883-1636
About Bass Pro Shops
Bass Pro Shops is a leading destination retailer offering outdoor gear and apparel in an immersive setting. Founded in 1972 when avid young angler Johnny Morris began selling tackle out of his father’s liquor store in Springfield, Missouri, today 101 retail and marine centers host 120 million people annually. Bass Pro Shops also operates White River Marine Group, offering an unsurpassed collection of industry-leading boat brands, andBig Cedar Lodge, America’s Premier Wilderness Resort. Under the visionary conservation leadership of Johnny Morris, Bass Pro Shops is known as a national leader in protecting habitat and introducing families to the outdoors and has been named by Forbes as “one of America’s Best Employers.”
