4,000 Recycled Festive Firs Fuel Fun for Animals at Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm

Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm, a Zoo and conservation charity in North Somerset, has celebrated the success of its hugely popular annual Christmas tree recycling initiative. The zoo recycled and chipped a record-breaking 4,000 real Christmas trees in January, transforming them into animal enrichment, mulch, compost and an innovative new conservation-themed art installation.

Now in its sixth year, the community-led scheme was delivered in partnership with St Peter’s Hospice, Weston Hospice, North Somerset Council and Glendale Chipping Services, giving households a sustainable way to recycle their real Christmas trees after the festive season while supporting wildlife and the environment.

New for 2026, recycled trees from the scheme were used to create a large-scale art installation at the Zoo. Made entirely from whole trees, branches and chippings, the installation formed the outline of an Andean bear and cub, raising awareness of conservation initiatives and showcasing the creative ways natural materials can be repurposed. The installation shone a spotlight on the Zoo’s ongoing work to protect vulnerable Andean bears and their habitats in the wild, working in partnership with Spectacled Bead Conservation Society in Peru.

The recycled trees continue to play an important role across the Zoo. Fresh chippings are used in the Andean Adventure habitat, where spectacled bears Madidi, Rasu, Tuichi and Beni forage and explore new scents and textures. Larger branches are provided as browse for the Zoo’s herd of African bull elephants - Shaka, Janu, Uli and Sutton - while the meerkats, otters and capybaras benefit from mulch that encourages natural digging and scent-tracking behaviours.

Larry Bush, Managing Director at Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm, said, “Each January, this campaign is one of our favourite ways to begin the year. It’s an initiative that benefits our animals, our local community and the environment. Recycling 4,000 Christmas trees is a fantastic achievement, and we’re incredibly grateful to North Somerset Council, our community partners and the public who supported the scheme.”

Bush added, “We were also proud to unveil the unique art installation, created entirely from recycled Christmas trees. Our team crafted a life-sized Andean bear and cub mosaic from festive materials that would otherwise go to waste. It’s a meaningful way to raise awareness of this vulnerable species and the conservation work taking place to protect them.”

Cllr Annemieke Waite, Cabinet Member for Planning and Environment at North Somerset Council said, “Tree‑cycling remains a wonderful example of how our communities choose sustainable options that protect our environment while supporting valued local charities.

“North Somerset council are incredibly grateful to Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm, St Peter’s Hospice, Weston Hospice, NSEC, Glendale Services, and all the teams who helped make it happen. And of course to every resident who donated a tree or helped spread the word. We look forward to bringing tree‑cycling back next winter for another successful, environmentally responsible year.”