The National Arbor Day Foundation once again recognized Naval Air Station (NAS) Whiting Field as a Tree City USA for its dedication to conservation and urban renewal. This is the 23rd consecutive year the base has received the designation.
NAS Whiting Field planted a Live Oak tree to recognize the completion of the annual certification requirements and to celebrate the accomplishment Wednesday, Dec. 3 at 10 a.m. next to the base’s command building.
The Arbor Day Foundation presented a proclamation and banner to the command to recognize the achievement. NAS Whiting Field Commanding Officer Capt. Matthew Coughlin read the certificate to the assembled staff.
The certificate read in part: “[I] declarethatWhitingFieldwillcontinuetoannuallycelebrate TreeAwarenessWeekduringthefirstweekofDecemberand recognizetheimportanceofpreservingandmanagingourtrees withplannedactivitiesfortheplantingoftreesthroughoutthe plantingseason,demonstratingourresponsibilityasfederal landstewards.”
The ceremony was coordinated by Ron Cherry, NAS Whiting Field’s natural resources manager, and it serves as one of the highlights of his year.
"Our annual participation in the Tree City USA program provides us the opportunity to educate people about the value of tree resources and the importance of sustainable tree management. Being part of Tree City USA can help promote relationships with the Florida Forest Service and other conservation groups". With this program being one of only five programs that are on board Florida military bases, Cherry hopes “that this program will give people and understanding of the importance of and pride about trees so that they can go home and manage flora around their private residences.”
Base forestry programs in 2014 spent more than $28,000 in maintenance for existing woodlands and replaced any trees that were lost through the year through storm damage, disease or other causes. The amount invested in maintenance was approximately four times the necessary amount to qualify for the program.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: NASWF Named Tree City USA for 23rd Year