Wing efforts recognized for Arbor Day

Arbor Day Tree City USA award

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. – Children from the Peterson East Child Development Center took part in the Arbor Day celebration by helping Smokey the Bear plant a tree July 19. The ceremony marked the 19th consecutive year that Peterson has received the “Tree City USA Award” by the Colorado State Forest Service. (U.S. Air Force photo/Michael Golembesky)

Arbor Day Tree City USA award

Published July 23, 2013
By Michael Golembesky
21st Space Wing Public Affairs staff writer

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Children from the Peterson East Child Development Center took turns helping Smokey the Bear shovel dirt into a hole surrounding a young tree, which served as a reminder of the responsibility we have to trees and forests.

"This is important for our youth, to set the example for them so they can continue to carry it on," said Col. Charles Arnold, 21st Mission Support Group commander.

For 19 consecutive years, Peterson has earned the Tree City USA Award for its continuing effort to be good stewards of the land.

"Tree City USA recognizes the effort that Peterson puts into maintaining its urban forest," said Andy Schlosberg, Colorado State Forest Service assistant district forester and this year's award presenter.

"It is a vital component of our long-term base plan, to ensure we have trees for both now and in the future," Arnold said when talking about the base's responsibility to protect and maintain the land.

The grounds maintenance program at Pete runs a vigorous landscaping program that helps maintain existing trees and increase the overall numbers of trees on base and has been consistently successful in that effort.

To learn more about Arbor Day and the Tree City USA Award, go to http://www.arborday.org/index.cfm.