Tuesday, January 7th

Over 2,000 Christmas trees donated to repair sand dunes

In this recent photo, donated Christmas trees, used to reinforce sand dunes, are piled high at Island Beach State Park near Seaside Park, N.J. The state's Department of Environmental Protection exceeded their original goal to collect 200 Christmas trees over the weekend, when over 2,000 were donated. (James Douglas/New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection via AP)

SEASIDE PARK, N.J. (AP) - Over 2,000 discarded Christmas trees were donated to New Jersey environmental officials to reinforce sand dunes at Island Beach State Park.

The state's Department of Environmental Protection posted on Twitter Monday to say the response from the public far exceeded their original goal to collect 200 Christmas trees over the weekend.

Christmas trees are often used to repair damage to sand dunes, which provide a habitat for many types of birds and about 400 plant species.

Department officials are now seeking volunteers to help move the trees into specific areas, the Asbury Park Press reported.

In this recent photo, motorists are directed as they ferry Christmas trees to be donated at Island Beach State Park near Seaside Park, N.J. The state's Department of Environmental Protection exceeded their original goal to collect 200 Christmas trees over the weekend when over 2,000 were donated. The trees are used to to reinforce sand dunes. (James Douglas/New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection via AP)

In this recent photo, donated Christmas trees, used to reinforce sand dunes, piled high at Island Beach State Park near Seaside Park, N.J. The state's Department of Environmental Protection exceeded their original goal to collect 200 Christmas trees over the weekend, when over 2,000 were donated. (James Douglas/New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection via AP)

In this recent photo, Christmas trees, used to reinforce sand dunes, are unloaded at Island Beach State Park near Seaside Park, N.J. The state's Department of Environmental Protection exceeded their original goal to collect 200 Christmas trees over the weekend, when over 2,000 were donated. (James Douglas/New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection via AP)

In this recent photo, Christmas trees, used to reinforce sand dunes, are unloaded at Island Beach State Park near Seaside Park, N.J. The state's Department of Environmental Protection exceeded their original goal to collect 200 Christmas trees over the weekend, when over 2,000 were donated. (James Douglas/New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection via AP)