A message from the Wild Basin Creative Research Center:
It’s that time of year again when decorated cedar trees along Loop 360 become part of a holiday landscape of tinsel and ornaments. In an effort to minimize the non-biodegradable debris leftover after the holiday season and the effect it can have on wildlife, Wild Basin created road signs to inform residents that our property is federally protected to ensure the persistence of wildlife and endangered species.
Wild Basin recognizes that the decorations are part of a long-standing holiday tradition. However, each year the decorations have become more extensive and elaborate, including battery-powered lights that can become a fire hazard. The shiny and bright tree decorations are great at attracting wildlife, but the paint, plastic, and metallic materials are a real hazard for any animal that might ingest them. Unfortunately, the tradition of adding decorations has not included a tradition of cleaning up after the holiday. Tinsel and faded decorative bulbs litter the highway and are windswept into wildlands and environmentally sensitive areas. We just ask residents to please not decorate trees near preserve land, consider using bio-degradable, animal-friendly materials, and clean up the decorations after the holiday season.
Here are some ideas how create an eco-friendly holiday experience.