Wright-Patterson AFB receives Tree City USA Award

  • Published
  • By Ted Theopolos
  • 88 Air Base Wing/Public Affairs
WRIGHT-PATTERSON, Ohio --  On April 20, 2012, The Arbor Day Foundation recognized 37 southwest Ohio cities, villages, and townships as Tree City USA communities. One of those recipients was Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.

Accepting the Tree City award for the base was 88th Air Base Vice Wing Commander Col. Daniel Semsel.

The nationally recognized Tree City USA Award is presented annually to those communities that have met maintenance standards for trees growing along their streets and their parks. The four standards are: 1) Having a designate tree board, forestry processional or city department responsible for the area of trees in the community; 2) Passing a tree care ordinance; 3) Having an active forestry program in place with an annual budget of at least two dollars per capita; 4) Proclaiming and hosting an Arbor Day celebration.

"We all benefit when communities like Wright-Paterson AFB place a high priority on planning and caring for trees, one of our nation's most beautiful resources," said John Rosenow, chief executive and founder of the Arbor Day Foundation. "Trees shade our homes and add beauty to our neighborhoods, and they also provide many environmental, economic and social benefits. We applaud Wright-Patterson AFB officials, volunteers and citizens for providing vial care for its urban forest."

Wright-Patt first received the Tree City award in 1995. The base has an estimated 30,000 trees across the installation. Approximately 6,000 trees locate within the urban section of the base that needs proper management. The total community forestry expenditures for the base in 2011 was $124,346 with an average expenditure of $4.61 per capita.

"This 15th year recognition of being a Tree City USA designated community reflects the dedication and hard work of the Wright-Patterson Civil Engineering crews in performing the duties to maintain the installation at the highest level," said Darryn Warner, Natural Resources Program Manager who also attended the award ceremony. "The trees at Wright-Patt are an integral and valuable asset to our community. From cleaning the air to providing energy saving shade, trees play a vital part of our infrastructure."

Ohio remains the nation's leader in Tree City USA communities with 237 participating cities, villages and townships. This marks Ohio's 31st year as the top Tree City state, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources' (ODNR) Division of Forestry.

The base will be planting two trees on April 27 in recognition of Arbor Day.