Plant a tree, celebrate the future

Published June 1, 2010
By Monica Mendoza
21st Space Wing Public Affairs staff writer

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Planting a tree is a celebration of what is to come, said a Colorado State Forest Service representative who awarded Peterson Air Force Base the "Tree City USA" award May 25.

"Usually, whenever we get together to have a party, we party about something that has happened in the past," said Mike Till, Colorado State Forest Service representative.

Mr. Till presented Peterson AFB with the award on behalf of the National Arbor Day Foundation and the Colorado State Forest Service for the base's dedication to planting and sustaining a healthy forestry program.

In celebration of the future, the 21st Civil Engineer Squadron planted three mid-size Colorado Blue Spruce trees at the Peterson Child Development Center, Building 1350. And they had a little help from their friends. Dozens of children each took a turn to shovel dirt into the holes surrounding the spruce trees.

The trees, after all, are theirs, said Col. Kimerlee Conner, 21st Mission Support Group commander. She accepted the Tree City USA award and said she is humbled by the idea that the trees planted today will be enjoyed by children in the future.

"The real beneficiaries of the trees planted this year, and over the next five years, will be the future generations," she said.

Back in 1872, J. Sterling Morton, a Nebraska journalist and politician, looked around Nebraska and didn't see many trees, Mr. Till explained. But, Mr. Morton saw what could be.

"He figured it was up to him and his neighbors to plant (trees)," Mr. Till said.

That year, the citizens of Nebraska planted more than one million trees and the state proclaimed the first Arbor Day. Today, Arbor Day is celebrated nationwide, usually the last Friday in April, as a day to plant trees, which can reduce the erosion of precious top soil, cut heating and cooling costs, moderate the temperature and clean the air and produce oxygen.

"Today is your day to celebrate planting your happy, healthy community forest," Mr. Till said. "You see the importance of today and the importance of tomorrow. You see what isn't there - thank you for that and for making everything better."

Peterson Air Force Base has been a Tree City USA community for 16 years. Tree City USA is sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters. The foundation provides direction for community forestry programs in 3,400 communities.

Colonel Conner said the Tree City USA award is symbolic of the combined efforts of many people throughout the years who have supported the base forestry program.

"Trees are a source of joy and spiritual renewal," she said. "I urge all citizens to plant trees."

PAFB named Tree City USA