McCLELLAN, CA -- A Chinese proverb says, “The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago. The second best time is now.” In commemoration of the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, the Air Force Real Property Agency coordinated the planting of 40 trees at former and current Air Force bases across the country on or around April 22. In some locations, the ground won’t be ready before late May or early June.
“The new trees symbolize the Air Force Real Property Agency’s commitment to environmental restoration,”according to Agency Director Robert Moore. Trees provide shade, beauty, oxygen, and habitat.
As part of this national celebration, a tree was planted at McClellan on April 21 by Serna Village children. Another tree was planted at Mather, with the help of a giant robot on April 22nd.
Starting at Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii, stretching across the country to the former Loring Air Force Base in Limestone, Maine, and to numerous communities scattered throughout the U.S., the 40 trees found homes in diverse ecosystems. Tree species selected are as diverse as the places they’ll be planted, including: Blue Palo Verde, the Arizona state tree for desert conditions at the former Williams Air Force Base in Mesa; a red maple at the Grand Forks Air Force Base in North Dakota; and a Valley Oak for torrid summers at the former McClellan Air Force Base in Sacramento, CA. Hardy, drought-tolerant native species were planted whenever possible.
In many cases, trees were donated to the project from nurseries across the country. Sacramento Tree Foundation donated the trees being planted locally.
Volunteers of all ages were enlisted to plant the trees on the former and active Air Force Bases. Among them are Gaye Pappas, chairman of the group building a Veterans Memorial Park near the main gate of the former Wurtsmith Air Force Base in the Township of Oscoda, Michigan, and Boy Scouts from Honolulu, Hawaii.
In addition, top Air Force leadership joined this Earth Day initiative by planting a Valley Forge Elm in the courtyard at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.
Happy Earth Day to all. Enjoy what the Chinese proverb says is the second best time to plant your tree. Hopefully, the trees planted on this day will thrive for many Earth Days to come, possibly even into the next century. These trees represent longevity and strength, emblematic of new life and energy at Air Force Bases, past and present, across the country.