MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Trees are one of the longest living organisms on the planet and one of the greatest natural resources. They provide the Earth with oxygen, food, and building materials, as well as improve water quality, prevent soil erosion and cultivate wildlife. There is also scientific evidence that having trees around improves mental health.
In 1872, Julius Sterling Morton proposed to the Nebraska Board of Agriculture that a special day be set aside for the planting of trees. On April 10 of that same year, an estimated one million trees were planted across the state, marking the first Arbor Day.
MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, observed Arbor Day Jan. 18, 2019, by planting 50 longleaf pine trees around Lewis Lake.
“Arbor Day is an international holiday that recognizes the importance of trees and promotes citizens to take part in maintaining the urban forests in their community by planting trees,” said Richard Vichich, the natural resources program manager assigned to the 6th Civil Engineer Squadron. “It is celebrated on different days around the country, but Florida recognizes the third Friday in January as the best day for planting trees.”
Pine trees were chosen as they are native to Florida and have historically dominated the over 1,000 acres of green space at MacDill.
“These trees will help improve habitat for wildlife and stabilize soil for the ecosystem,” Vichich said. “We are trying to restore the native habitat that was here years ago by removing invasive trees and planting native ones.”
Annual tree planting events such as this one, illustrate MacDill’s commitment to the environment. These efforts have earned MacDill a designation as a Tree City USA member by the Arbor Day Foundation for 24 years in a row, as of 2019. The national program recognizes communities for their outstanding forestry management efforts.
“Celebrating Arbor Day is only one of the steps MacDill takes each year supporting the local environment,” Vichich said. “We also spend around $6 per capita per year toward the planting and care of trees – beating the required minimum of $2.”
The benefits of celebrating Arbor Day go far beyond just planting a tree; it is an opportunity to educate the community on how trees affect the well-being of future generations.
“It was a great experience to learn about the history of Arbor Day and meet new people and plant trees on base,” said Airman 1st Class Gabriel Welsch, a radiology student assigned to the 6th Medical Support Squadron. “Who doesn’t like to get their hands dirty?!”