Conservation district sells plants and fish

ALBANY COUNTY — The county’s Soil and Water Conservation District is hosting spring plant and fish sales.

The Annual Spring Tree and Shrub Sale is underway and orders must be placed by April 6.  All species available for purchase — including conifers, deciduous trees and shrubs, and fruits and berries — are ideal for conservation practices such as erosion control and windbreaks as well as backyard homesteading.

District staff members are available to offer advice and maps on soil types, which can help determine what to plant and where.

Private pond owners may participate in the annual Spring Fish Sale to stock their ponds with rainbow trout, largemouth bass, channel catfish, triploid grass carp, or forage fish, which are available to purchase at low cost.

Adding a diversity of fish life is a great way to improve the overall health of a homeowner’s pond, according to a release from the agency. Creating the proper balance of predator and prey fish will help maintain the algae, weeds, and nuisance insects.

For these two programs, participants do not have to be residents of Albany County. Order forms for both programs are available on the conservation district’s website or by request.

For more information, call 518-765-7923, email or visit www.albanycounty.com/swcd

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