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Scott plants trees for 95th anniversary, Earth Week

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Joshua Eikren
  • 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  To help celebrate Scott AFB's 95th Anniversary this year and in honor of Earth Week April 16-20, the base is planting trees, recycling electronics and encouraging everyone to continue to be good stewards of the environment.

So far, 95 trees--symbolic of Scott's Anniversary--have been planted throughout the base with another 50 to be planted during Earth Week and on Arbor Day, April 27.

"Planting these trees is just a small and symbolic way we can associate our heritage with our commitment to the ideas of conserving and protecting our resources," said Col. Michael Hornitschek, 375th Air Mobility Wing commander.

Of the remaining trees, 20 will be planted by Scott Elementary third and fourth graders April 19 at 2 p.m., and seven will be planted by Hornitschek during the Arbor Day ceremony April 27 at 10 a.m. at the Scott Club.

As a result of the base's efforts, Scott has been named a "Tree City USA" the past 19 years for its commitment to the environment. The Arbor Day Foundation designates cities that meet the criteria which are: having a tree board or department, a community tree ordinance, a community forestry program with an annual budget of at least $2 per capita and lastly should have an Arbor Day observance proclamation, said Cindy Nolan, 375th Civil Engineer Squadron conservation manager.

"By planting the trees, we show that in 2012 we did host an Arbor Day ceremony and have an observance on Arbor Day for our next year," said Nolan.

In addition to the tree planting, Scott is also hosting an electronics recycling event April 17, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Exchange parking lot and Scott Elementary fourth and fifth grade students designed posters for Earth Week. The winning poster was designed by Lillian Dickson, a fourth grader, and will be used as part Scott's Earth Week Awareness campaign.

"Both the Tree City Award and the events we hold during Earth Week signify that we are being good stewards of the environment," said Nolan.

In addition, Hornitschek added, "Community involvement and awareness are essential in preserving the Earth's life-giving resources. I encourage us to do our part to enhance the environment, recycle, and conserve energy as we conserve today for a secure tomorrow."