The city of Moose Jaw will once again be offering 2 options for you to get rid of your Christmas tree - either having it picked up after January 20 by waste collection, or dropping it off in the lot just west of the Yara Centre...there is a third option, however.

The Nature Conservancy of Canada is suggesting that you do otherwise and is asking that you take your tree into your back yard and place it under a tree, across a flower bed or near a bird feeder to provide shelter for birds to stay out of the elements. 

By putting it in the flower bed you are creating more soil, a place for insects and bugs as well as retaining great moisture and general conditions for the spring when you want to plant flowers.

Jessica Panetta is with the Conservancy and gave some insight on the subject.

"By leaving it there over the winter you can provide habitat for these species and then when it comes to springtime you can cut off the branches and drill holes in the trunk to help it decompose faster."

"The pine needles are going to fall off during the winter but the tree is going to provide some great habitat for bird populations during the winter months."

This is a great way to support biodiversity and creates a personal conservancy.