Scott to celebrate Arbor Day Published April 24, 2013 By Airman Megan Friedl 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- Col. David Almand, 375th Air Mobility Wing commander, will preside over an Arbor Day tree ceremony at 2 p.m., Friday, at the Youth Center. Scott Elementary School third and fourth graders will attend the ceremony and base personnel are also invited to attend. For the 20th year, Scott will be awarded the "Tree City" designation. "The importance of being a Tree City community shows Scott's commitment to maintaining its urban forests," said Carla Daggitt, 375th Civil Engineer Squadron environmental engineer. "It provides a positive public image of the base and our continued commitment to conservation and environmental stewardship." This event is significant to provide education and publicity about the benefits of trees in the community, said Cindy Nolan, 375th Civil Engineer Squadron conservation manager. This year's ceremonial tree will be planted at the Youth Center with four other trees to be placed at Buildings P-3 and P-8. Officials also expect base volunteers to help plant hundreds of trees around Scott. "Trees are an important part of the overall appearance of the base and are beneficial to the environment," said Dagitt. Arbor Day has been celebrated throughout the world to promote tree planting since 1872.