WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, OHIO - The 88th Civil Engineer Group, the National Park Service, along with students and faculty from Fairborn High School teamed up to celebrate Arbor Day for the third consecutive year April 11 at the Wright Brothers Memorial, Dayton, Ohio.
First observed in 1872, Arbor Day is a national holiday celebrating the role trees play in our lives and promotes tree planting and care.
“Trees clean the air, provide oxygen, reduce energy costs, combat climate change, and even increase property values,” said Danielle Trevino, 88th CEG biological scientist.
In honor of the day, Col. David Anzaldua, 88th Air Base Wing vice commander read the Arbor Day proclamation and encouraged everyone to participate in Arbor Day efforts to protect the trees and woodlands.
Mandy Taylor, the advanced placement environmental science teacher for Fairborn High School, appreciated the remarks given by Col. Anzaldua.
“I think it’s important for these kids to know what Arbor Day is and the history that surrounds it,” said Taylor. “It’s a good connection for these kids, they are doing something positive and have a service they can offer.”
“I think it’s really awesome, one day a year we get to come out here and give back to the Earth,” said Fairborn High School student, Mikayla Baughman.
The combined efforts of the day resulted in a total of 26 trees being planted in the field next to the Wright Memorial.
In conjunction with the many pollinator initiatives, each student was given a redbud tree seedling to take home and plant.
“The redbud is a small tree, approximately 12 to 30 feet tall and provides an important source of pollen for honeybees and native pollinators in the spring season,” said Trevino.
Since the Wright Brothers Memorial is open to the public, the students and community have the opportunity to visit the park and enjoy the results of their volunteer efforts.