WNF says there is not enough manpower this year

The Wayne National Forest and Lawrence-Scioto Solid Waste Management District-sponsored Christmas tree-recycling program will not be happening this year due to limited Wayne National Forest personnel and resources.

“Currently, with limited personnel that we have, we’re going to have to take a break from the program, at least for this year,” Patrick Mercer, WNF supervisory wildlife biologist for the Ironton Ranger District, said. “With the unknown hiring situation at the federal level, we’re not really sure when we’ll have the personnel to be able to continue with the program again.”

He added that the forest’s limited staff has been redirected to other projects in place of the tree-recycling program.

The program, which has been going on for at least seven years, used the trees to provide for the fish habitat at Lake Vesuvius.