Volunteers Make National Public Lands Day A Success

FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. – Three eager participants, Tami Calhoun, Diane Wulf and Joel Espinoza from the 92nd Civil Engineer Squadron Environmental Flight are seen clutching their treasures (ponderosa pine and common snowberry) to be planted in support of National Public Lands Day. These volunteers graciously assisted the children from Michael Anderson Elementary in planting numerous native trees and shrubs Sept 25. (U.S. Air Force photo / Mary Farver)

Volunteers Make National Public Lands Day A Success

Published Oct. 2, 2008
By Jonathan Wald
92nd Civil Engineer Squadron Environmental Flight

FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- Fairchild volunteers came together and planted over 640 trees and shrubs to help celebrate National Public Lands Day Sept. 25. NPL, which began back in 1994, and seeks to continue what the Civilian Conservation Corps began back in 1933. Across the nation, volunteers came together to restore, improve and establish public lands.

Although the morning started with luminous gray clouds and rain, by the time NPL day kicked off at Fairchild the sun was shining and the volunteers were ready to go. First to arrive on scene were the children from Michelle Hill's third-grade class at Michael Anderson Elementary. These young kids were very excited and eager to begin planting, and with the help of teacher aides, military members and parents, they dug right in.

Next to arrive were three classes of sixth graders, led by Michael Anderson Elementary school teacher Kate Mills. Some of these kids were veterans from the 2008 Arbor Day celebration at Miller Park this past April. Regardless, once these kids started it was hard to hold them back. After running short on tools, Ted Strom from the Snow Barn provided a truck to pick up more shovels. The other life-saver task Mr. Strom spearheaded was the arrival of an auger, which greatly increased planting ability.

One great surprise was the arrival of the First Term Airmen Center class, which assisted for more than three hours, helping the children plant and staying into the afternoon after almost everyone had departed. In all, efforts resulted in the planting of 643 native trees and shrubs, construction of a foot bridge across the storm ditch and the beginning of what will eventually become an extensive walking trail system.

Many thanks are deserved for the four classes from Michael Anderson Elementary, the 92nd Civil Engineer Squadron environmental flight, the 92nd CES Snow Barn, the most recent FTAC class and the other volunteers who assisted in making NPL day a huge success at Fairchild.