Wright-Patterson AFB and Fairborn High School Celebrate a Decade of Arbor Day Conservation

  • Published
  • By Tiffany Scofield
  • 88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, OHIO --  

Wright-Patterson Air Force Base reaffirmed its commitment to environmental stewardship April 24, celebrating Arbor Day through a long-standing partnership with Fairborn High School. The event brought local students and educators to the installation to plant trees, support conservation efforts, and learn the value of ecological responsibility. 

This year's event marked a significant milestone: the 10th consecutive year that Fairborn High School students have participated in Arbor Day activities on base. Working alongside installation personnel, the students helped enhance green spaces, directly contributing to the 88th Air Base Wing's natural resources mission. 

“This is their 10th year being here with us, and they absolutely love it. We love having them here,” said Amir Mott, director of the 88th Civil Engineer Group. 

Throughout the day, students gained hands-on experience in conservation and sustainability by planting a variety of trees and shrubs in the base arboretum. 

“I’m here today to help plant trees, support the environment, and spend time out in nature,” said Frank Meter, a Fairborn High School junior and active member of the school’s environmental club. “I’m very passionate about the environment, wildlife, animals, and nature.” 

For Fairborn High School science teachers and environmental club co-advisors Mandy Taylor and Lexi Knick, the event is part of a broader mission to get students involved in their local ecosystem. The environmental club operates as a service-based after-school program for students interested in nature, engaging in various local projects such as working with the Beaver Creek Wetlands and BW Greenway, making seed bombs, and hosting eco-challenges for younger children. 

“Basically, any opportunity that we can get for these kids to get some service hours, and come in contact with professionals that are in the environmental fields and in the conservation fields—that's really what we're trying to do. We're just trying to maximize exposure,” Taylor explained. 

The WPAFB partnership itself began organically several years ago when the mother of a Fairborn student was serving as the base's natural resource manager. She invited the environmental club out to help, and the tradition has continued every year since. 

Knick noted the unique value of bringing local students onto the installation, an area many drive past daily but rarely get to experience from the inside. 

“We love being able to work so close with the Air Force Base,” Knick said. “A lot of us that have lived around here our whole lives kind of just don't really think about how cool it is that we have this here. It is kind of cool that maybe they'll drive by in a week or two and think, 'Oh, I was in there.'” 

The base's Arbor Day event also highlights a broader achievement for the installation. For 29 consecutive years, Wright-Patterson has been recognized as a "Tree City USA" community, a distinction that reflects the base's enduring commitment to responsible land management, tree preservation, and comprehensive environmental planning. 

“We want to be good stewards of the environment and continue maintaining our ecosystem,” Mott added. 

Ultimately, the educators emphasized that providing these structured opportunities is key to unlocking the potential of their students. 

The annual Arbor Day tradition does more than just beautify the landscape; it strengthens the deep-rooted connection between Wright-Patterson and its Ohio neighbors. By investing in these local students today, the installation ensures that its legacy of environmental stewardship will continue to flourish for decades to come.