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Grissom to host Arbor Day celebration

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Gary Lockard
GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. --  Grissom will celebrate its on-going commitment to the environment with a special tree planting ceremony on Arbor Day, April 26th. 

The activity will also highlight Grissom's selection as a Tree City by the National Arbor Day Foundation. The base first received this designation in 2001 and has been named a Tree City for 12 consecutive years.

"Trees are an easy way to beautify and improve our environment," explained Cory Walters, 434th Civil Engineer Squadron biological scientist. "Trees provide a little something for everyone.

"They provide a habitat for animals, shade for the community and can help improve the quality of the air," Walters continued.

Grissom has more than 3,700 trees throughout the base and is one of 67 communities in Indiana that have received the Tree City designation. 

To be named as a Tree City, four requirements as outlined by the National Arbor Day Foundation must be met to include a tree board or department, a tree-care ordinance, an annual community forestry budget of at least $2 per capita and an Arbor Day observance.

"With the emphasis on money for the foreseeable future, trees are a win-win for the base," stated Walters. "We can beautify the base while minimizing our environmental impact. By maintaining the tress we help to keep them healthy, and healthy trees can provide the installation with benefits for many years."

With the number of trees on Grissom, the emphasis has shifted from planting new trees to managing and maintaining existing resources.

"With an active tree management program, we can continually maintain our tree population, added Walters. "This allows us to maximize the look and benefit we receive from our trees."

Grissom's Arbor Day ceremony will take place in the area adjacent to the Civil Engineer Complex at 1:30 p.m. and feature comments by Lt. Col. Maureen McAllen, 434th Mission Support Group commander.

The Tree City USA program is sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation, in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service and the national Association of State Foresters.

Grissom is home to the 434th Air Refueling Wing, the largest KC-135R Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserve Command, as well as three Army Reserve units and a Marine Corps Reserve communications detachment.

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Public Affairs Staff

Material contained on the Official Grissom Air Reserve Base Internet Web Site is written and produced by members of the 434th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs Office. The award-winning staff includes:

Ben Mota
Chief, public affairs

Maj. Elias Zani
Public affairs officer

Master Sgt. Wendy Day
Staff writer

Tech. Sgt. Alexa Culbert
Staff writer

Senior Airman Elise Faurote
Staff writer

Senior Airman Benjamin Cowles
Staff writer