WINNEMUCCA — After all the festive celebrations are complete and the decorations have come down, there is a way to extend the joy of your Christmas tree well beyond the holiday season: Recycle it! Trees will be chipped into mulch to help keep the Community Garden beautiful and free of weeds throughout the year.

Bring your tree to the Winnemucca Community Garden at 151 McAurthur Street and put it in the large bin located at the West Gate, as will be indicated by a sign. It is important to remove all lights, wire, tinsel, ornaments, nails, stands and other materials that are not part of the original tree, as they do not serve as a good product to mulch. Trees are being accepted between December 26, 2009 and January 10, 2010. A minimum donation of $2 per tree is suggested to support the Garden's programs. Please place your donation in the box provided at the site. There will also be envelopes available if you would prefer to mail your donation.

The Winnemucca Community Garden is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization working to enhance the quality of life in Winnemucca by cultivating a beautiful garden where the community can gather, grow and celebrate nature. Community gardens empower individuals, knit together a stronger community, beautify local areas, and produce clean and nutritious food, while providing valuable recreational and therapeutic opportunities for people of all ages. Other programs that are integral to the Garden's mission include children's education, nutrition classes for low income families, and Plant a Row for the Hungry, which works to donate fresh food to the local food bank and soup kitchen.

For more information about garden programs, adopting a garden plot, upcoming garden events, much needed volunteer opportunities, or to join our mailing list, please call the Winnemucca Community Garden at 775-623-2333, email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , or visit our website at www.winngarden.org. The Winnemucca Community Garden is a United Way program of the Great Basin Partner.