JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
Joint Base Charleston, S.C. - A tree-planting ceremony was held Dec. 14, 2012, at the Child Development Center at Joint Base Charleston - Air Base, S.C.
Capt. Thomas Bailey, Joint Base Charleston vice commander, Col. Justin Davey, 628th Mission Support Group commander, Chief Master Sgt. Earl Hannon, 628th Air Base Wing command chief, Roger Sparwasser, 628th Civil Engineer Squadron base forester, and children from the JB Charleston CDC planted a live oak tree to celebrate Arbor Day.
"Arbor Day is traditionally observed annually on the first Friday of December in South Carolina," said Keith Thompson, 628th CES conservation program manager.
Prior to planting the tree, Bailey and Thompson discussed the origins of Arbor Day with the CDC children and how it came to be observed in all 50 states.
"Trees provide us many benefits including providing fuel for heat, building materials for homes and also providing shade," said Thompson. "Additionally, trees help to purify our air and provide valuable habitat for wildlife species."
Joint Base Charleston observes Arbor Day each year.
"This observance helps the base qualify for the Tree City USA Award and promotes awareness of the importance of environmental stewardship," said Thompson.
The Tree City USA program is sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the USDA Forest Service and the Association of State Foresters. The award recognizes excellence in urban forestry.
In order to be recognized as a Tree city USA, communities must meet four standards: they must have a tree board or committee, have a tree care ordinance, have a comprehensive community forestry program and they must have an Arbor Day observance.
For more information regarding Arbor Day or Tree city USA, visit www.ArborDay.org.