In addition to their recreation potential, the
Vicksburg District's lakes and game management areas are excellent
resource management tools. The lakes provide habitat for numerous
species of birds, fish, and other animals. The district maintains
hundreds of wood duck boxes at its lakes and cleans and adds to
them every year. Also, wildlife foodplots are regularly planted
around the lake to provide winter food for many animals. And, of
course, the annual gathering of discarded Christmas trees for use
as fish shelter has become a familiar sight in many communities
around the lakes.
Forest management is another important job for lake personnel; trees
are regularly checked, thinned to assure a healthy forest, and new
trees planted.
An increasingly important resource and wildlife management tool
at the lakes is the district's volunteer program. Hundreds of people
of all ages have offered their talents and time to perform needed
work that might otherwise be neglected because of manpower shortages.
Their efforts range from planting flowers at a project entrance
to maintaining hiking and cycling trails.
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