HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – Base civil engineering officials recently planted two pear trees behind the base clinic here in recognition of National Arbor Day.
Michael Watkin, 66th Civil Engineering Division community planner, and organizer for this year’s Arbor Day events, highlighted the benefits trees provide.
“Trees help clean the air, conserve soil, moderate temperature and bring nature into a person's daily life,” he said. “Arbor Day also brings awareness of the dangers and long-term damage deforestation can have.”
As part of this year’s National Arbor Day events, Lt. Col. Kenneth Ferland, 66th Air Base Group deputy commander, read and signed a proclamation in Building 1305 on April 26.
“Trees at Hanscom Air Force Base help beautify our community and contribute to those intangible qualities which help us maintain a high level of productivity in our individual workplaces,” the proclamation read.
With the planting of these two trees near the clinic, Hanscom maintained its “Tree City USA” status.
“For the 32nd consecutive year, Hanscom Air Force Base is a Tree City USA community,” Watkin said. “Hanscom is only the sixth town in Massachusetts and 13th town in New England to do so.”
According to the Tree City USA website, the program provides direction, assistance and national recognition for communities. The program is the framework for a healthy, sustainable urban forestry program.
To qualify, the organization must have a tree board or department, a tree-care ordinance, a comprehensive forestry program and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.
According to Watkin, the tree-planting location continues efforts here to transform park areas and streetscapes at Hanscom AFB. The pear trees provide shade, color and numerous environmental benefits to the installation.
While events originally included a formal ceremony at the tree-planting location with Hanscom Middle School students, rain canceled those plans. Civil engineering officials instead visited the participating class to hear environmental presentations by the students.
“I am always looking for opportunities to bring the curriculum alive for these students,” said Becca Fasciano, HMS science teacher. “Ecology is a big piece of the seventh-grade science curriculum. We learned about ecosystems, biomes, how all living things are connected and the importance of trees in all corners of our planet.”
April 26 is National Arbor Day, but many states observe it on different dates throughout the year based on best tree-planting times in their area.
For more information about Arbor Day or the Tree City USA program, visit www.arborday.org or contact base civil engineers at 781-225-6040.